Friday, July 30, 2010

CORRUPTION IN CROATIAN SOCCER PT. 2


WRITTEN BY BRANKO TOMASOVIĆ


At the start of the 2010-11 soccer season, the Croatian domestic soccer league, better known as Prva HNL, has been rocked by stunning allegations that defending league and cup champions, Dinamo Zagreb, were involved in a match-fixing conspiracy in last year's first leg of the Croatia Cup, where Dinamo won 3-0 against their arch rivals Hajduk Split.

According to Croatian sports daily Sportske Novosti, German authorities have uncovered documents "suggesting" that Dinamo Zagreb officials were involved in nefarious match fixing activities. The main official implicated is none other than Zoran Mamić, the Sports Operations Director of Dinamo, who also happens to be the brother of Zdravko Mamić, the club's current executive Vice-President, and possibly, the most influential man in Croatian soccer.



SREBRIĆ ON THE MATTER


The report alleges that Mamić and Ante Sapina, a notorious gambler and felon who was convicted of masterminding the match-fixing scandal in the Bundesliga in 2005 with the help of disgraced referee Robert Hoyzerc, conspired with Croatian referee Bruno Marić to give Dinamo a 3-0 victory in the first tie of the 2009 Croatia Cup Finals. The alleged conspiracy is to have brought in 1.4 million euros to the organizers, according to Croatian daily Jutrani List. Nevertheless, in a profanity-laced tirade, Zdravko Mamić denied that his club and his brother were involved in any sort of illegal activity, claimed that all match-fixing allegations about Zoran and Dinamo were utterly false, and insisted that a conspiracy existed to tear down Dinamo.




However, more allegations have now surfaced from German authorities that Dinamo Zagreb were involved in three other rigged matches, this time of the European variety, involving England's Arsenal, Romania's Timisoara, and Belgium's Anderlecht. In two of these games Dinamo lost to Arsenal 3-0 and to Anderlecht 2-0, while winning the third 3-0, against Timisoara. All of this controversy is taking place in the backdrop of one of the biggest soccer match-fixing investigations in European history, dubbed "Operation Offside." The investigation, led by German law enforcement into soccer match-fixing, involves 270 matches across nine countries and over 250 individuals, reported the Associated Press.

Investigative journalist and author Declan Hill, who wrote the landmark book, The Fix: Soccer and Organized Crime, commented that match-fixing is much more widespread than the typical fan would imagine. Hill emphatically declares:

What the Germans have uncovered is . . . the Asian gambling market, which is absolutely gigantic, is coming into Europe and North America, he told CTV News Channel. Because of the size of the gambling market there (in Asia), it's corrupted much of the Asian sports leagues, and now it's starting to corrupt these leagues around the world. It's a huge, huge problem and they are only beginning to tackle it now.




According to the Associated Press, the investigation now involves 53 matches in Germany; 19 in Belgium; 35 in Switzerland; 15 in Croatia; 7 in Slovenia; 74 in Turkey; 14 in Hungary; 8 in Bosnia; 12 in Austria; and 33 games in international competitions.

The consequences of this investigation are clearly being felt in Croatia where 22 individuals, to date, have been arrested. These individuals primarily, are suspected of rigging the games of the domestic Croatian soccer league. The aftermath of these claims has forced the resignation of John Brleković , Vice-President of the Croatian Soccer Federation and President of its Commission on Combating Corruption in soccer. One can only speculate how much longer Vlatko Marković can survive as President of the Croatian Soccer Federation while, under his watch, this scandal escalates with each passing day.




If the Associated Press is to be believed, 15 matches in the Croatian domestic soccer league were fixed, one of which being last year's Dinamo vs. Hajduk Croatia Cup Finals opening match. Nevertheless, many questions still remain. Which of the 14 other games were fixed? Which teams were involved? Who was involved? How far back does this activity go? How did this scandal impact past championships? Perhaps most importantly, what will be the consequences of all of this? If Dinamo Zagreb is found guilty, will they lose those illegally won championships? Will this scandal destroy Dinamo Zagreb? Will the club vanish into obscurity if they are punished with a demotion to the 2nd Division? What happens if Croatia's second largest club, Hajduk Split, is later implicated? Will the Prva HNL survive this scandal? All of these questions will be answered in due time, but the ramifications of this scandal will undoubtedly be felt all across the Croatian soccer landscape for the foreseeable future.



BILIĆ NAMES SQUAD TO FACE SLOVAKIA


Photo: Nenad Dugi; Slaven Bilić


Croatia coach Slaven Bilić today, named the following 20-man squad for an away friendly at Slovakia in Bratislava on August 11th. This will be Croatia's last test before European qualifiers at Latvia on September 3rd and at home to Greece September 7th.


Croatia:


Goalkeepers:


Vedran Runje (RC Lens), Danijel Subašić (Hajduk Split)


Defenders:


Josip Šimunić (Hoffenheim), Jurica Buljat (Hajduk), Ivan Strinić (Hajduk), Vedran Ćorluka(Tottenham), Gordon Schindelfeld(SK Sturm Graz)


Midfielders:


Darijo Srna (Shakhtar Donetsk), Ognjen Vukojević (Dynamo Kiev), Tomislav Dujmović (Lokomotiv), Danijel Pranjić (Bayern Munich), Luka Modrić (Tottenham), Drago Gabrić (Trabzonspor), Niko Kranjčar(Tottenham), Ivan Rakitić (FC Schalke 04)


Forwards::


Ivica Olić (Bayern Munich), Mladen Petrić (Hamburg), Mario Mandžukić (Vfl Wolfsburg), Eduardo Da Silva (FC Shakhtar Donetsk), Nikica Jelavić (Rapid).



"Slovakia is our last test before qualification matches in Latvia and at home to Greece. We are talking about a strong opponent, not only have they qualified for the world cup but advanced to the second round. However, our priority is for the U21 team to qualify, this is why we are missing several players besides Rakitić, who is very important to the national team. Stipe Pletikosa has recovered from injury and is expecting to find a new club within the next few weeks."

~Slaven Bilić

A few familiar faces will not be with the senior team for the final friendly before two important qualifiers in September. Ivica Križanac has officially retired from the Croatian national side while Dejan Lovren, Ivan Perišić, Domagoj Vida and Nikola Kalinić will all remain on duty with the U-21 side facing Norway on the same day. Mate Bilić, Stipe Pletikosa, Hrvoje Čale, Dario Knežević, and Nikola Pokrivač all missed the cut. 25 year old former Dinamo Zagreb defender, Gordon Schildenfeld will be looking for his fourth cap against Slovakia.





EURO 2012 qualifying Schedule(Click to Enlarge)



Who deserved a call up?



~ Denis Svirčić, reporting from Lakerville

Thursday, July 29, 2010

LADIĆ NAMES U-21 SQUAD TO FACE NORWAY ON AUGUST 11TH



Croatia U-21 coach Dražen Ladić, today, named the following 20-man squad for a 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship home game against Norway at Stadion Varteks in Varaždin on August 11th.


Croatia U-21:


Goalkeepers:


Ivan Kelava (Lokomotiva Zagreb), Marijan Antolović (Cibalia Vinkovci)


Defenders:


Domagoj Vida (Bayer 04 Leverkusen), Goran Jozinović (Hajduk Split), Šime Vrsaljko (Dinamo Zagreb), Roberto Punčec (Varteks Varaždin), Tomislav Barbarić (Dinamo Zagreb), Dejan Lovren (Olympique Lyonnais), Mario Maloča (Hajduk Split)


Midfielders:


Mato Jajalo (FC Köln), Milan Badelj (Dinamo Zagreb), Zvonko Pamić (SC Freiburg), Damir Kreilach (Rijeka), Besart Abdurahimi (NK Zagreb), Dejan Školnik (CD Nacional), Ivan Perišić (Club Brugge, Belgium), Mirko Oremuš (Hajduk Split), Filip Ozobić(Spartak Moskva)


Forwards::


Nikola Kalinić (Blackburn, England), Ivan Santini (Zadar)



"I am glad that we have returned to more positive news in Croatian football. Our place at the top of the table is rewarding and I am confident that we will remain first and qualify for the European championship. With a win against Norway we are just about qualified, however, we might be qualified before our final match against Serbia. As of right now, everything is ok with the squad, some of the players have just finished their summer training and are ready to show their value. I have come to an agreement with Slaven Bilić to take some of the potential A team players for this important match. I thank him for this. Dejan Lovren and Nikola Kalinić have already played in the senior squad, with Mato Jajalo, Milan Badelj, Ivan Perišić, and Domagoj Vida all on Slaven's radar. Andrej Kramarić isn't starting for Dinamo this is why he was dropped. We need players that are well prepared and there are a few players that are ahead of him at the moment."

~Dražen Ladić


U-21 Standings(Click to Enlarge)



U-21 Schedule(Click to Enlarge)


Who deserved a call up?



~ Denis Svirčić, reporting from Lakerville

HAJDUK-DINAMO BUCURESTI




Hajduk 1 Dinamo 3 FINAL




'89 Danijel Subašić stumbles off a Dinamo corner, luckily a Hajduk defender was able to clear the ball off the line.



80' Strinić cross goes near post fools the keeper and bounces off the post to Tomasov, who smashes the ball just inches away from the near post.

66' Well, so much for that away goal. Hajduk fall asleep again, Koné smashes in a rebound just inside the box. 3-1 Dinamo



64' Hajduk Goal!! Tomasov makes a cleaver first touch, and smashed the ball far post to give Hajduk a valuable away goal.



62' Danijel Subašić is tested once again, Adrian Cristea smashes one outside the box and Danijel saves for a corner.

58' Dinamo continue to press, beat the offsides trap again, luckily Danijel Subašić is there to get a touch on the ball as it sails inches around the post for a corner. Hajduk are on the ropes once again!



52' Dinamo come right back as Danijel Subašić has to block a strong shot from Andrei Cristea just inside the box. Dinamo are clearly the better side in this contest. However, an away goal from Hajduk would put them back in this leg.

49' Hajduk come out aggressive in the second half, Sharbini tries to curl the ball far post only to be denied by the Dinamo keeper


HALFTIME - Dinamo 2 Hajduk 0

45' Jurica Buljat is shown a yellow card



39' Danijel Subašić fumbles an easy shot from outside the box, goes off the post, Ganea is unmarked in front of an empty net to make it 2-0 Dinamo

35' Highly entertaining match so far as both teams had excellent chances to hit the back of the net.

34' Torje yellow card after bringing down Sharbini

29' Oremuš yellow card after stopping a Dinamo counter


Dinamo fans showed up in great numbers, definitely an away game for Hajduk after Torcida was banned from attending

28' Ljubičić, excellent strike on goal just outside the box. Keeper saves over the bar for a corner

26; Sharbini misses the target from only 5 yards out after connecting on a cross. Should have been 1-1.

18' Hajduk Split looks to have shaken off that opening minute jitters and are starting to play soccer. Sharbini has a shot on goal and won a Hajduk corner.

16' Torje (Dinamo Bucureşti) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Strinić

6' Andrei Cristea (Dinamo Bucureşti) scores from the penalty spot. Dinamo 1 Hajduk 0

5' Danijel Subašić and the Hajduk defense repeat the same mistake. This time Danijel is late coming out and trips up Torje in the box. Clear penalty kick. Subašić yellow card

2' Danijel Subašić had to come out to intercept a beautiful Dinamo Bucuresti through ball that just failed to reach Garat.

Croatia's lone team Hajduk Split are on the ropes minutes after the opening whistle.

Click here to watch match live


Dinamo: Curca, Pulhac, Kone, An. Cristea, Ganea, Ad. Cristea, Torje, Scarlatache, Homei, N'Doye, Garat.

Hajduk: Subašić, Ljubičić, Buljat, Vejić, Ibričić, Andrić, Strinić, Oremuš, Režić, Maloča, An. Sharbini

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

DINAMO 1 SHERIFF 1


Photo: Ronald Goršić; Sammir put Dinamo ahead in only the 3rd minute


DINAMO 1 SHERIFF 1




Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb, earned a valuable away point today in Tiraspol, Moldova, drawing 1-1 with Sheriff FC in the first leg of the third qualifying round of the Champions League.

Dinamo opened up the scoring in only the third minute as Sammir weaved his way through a sluggish Sheriff defense and blasted in a powerful shot passed the outstretched arms of Vladislav Stoyanov. In the 35th minute of play, Tomislav Butina hesitated coming out for a 30 meter Sheriff free kick to the far post, resulting in a Aleksandr Erohkin tap in goal. All square at one at the half.


Photo: PIXSELL; Tomislav Butina gifted Sheriff a draw


In the second half, Tomislav Barbarić receives two yellow cards within eight minutes of play, leaving Dinamo with ten men for the final 30 minutes of play. Two minutes later Velimir Zajec brought in defense for offense inserting the highly experienced Dario Šimić for Miroslav Slepička Dinamo quickly changed to an "Italian" formation and held on for the draw. Velimir Zajec and Dinamo will be happy to return with a point considering they were down to ten men with a third of the match left to play. The second leg will be on August 4th in Zagreb.


Photo: PIXSELL; Dinamo manager, Velimir Zajec


Sheriff - Stoyanov, Volkov('88 Gheorghiev), Tarknišvili, Franca, Erokhin, Vranješ, Diedhiou('66 Nikolić), Samardžić, Nadson('32 Fred), Branković, Adamović


Dinamo - Butina, Ibanez, Mesarić, Barbarić, Cufre, Etto, Calello, Chago, Badelj('70 Dodô), Sammir('85 Sivonjić), Slepička('64 Šimić)


Zdravko Mamić goes off on media about match fixing accusations


DINAMO suspected of rigging matches


This last link is for KING BRONK. If it makes news in South Africa, then it makes news on CroatianSoccerReport.com

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

CROATIA SUFFER FLASHBACKS OF 1998




There won't be a Croatia-Spain rematch in the U-19 final, as France overcame a goal deficit to beat Croatia 2-1 and book their place in the final on Friday. With a squad heavily influenced by Olympique Lyonnais’ youth system, France dominated from start to finish. However, Croatia opened up the scoring in only the 4th minute of play as recent Dinamo Zagreb transfer Arijan Ademi connected off a Zvonko Pamić free kick.


Photo: UEFA; Ademi celebrating goal


In the 37th minute of play, Croatia gift France the equalizer. After a mix up in the box, a Mario Tičinović header across the box reached a wide open Gaël Kakuta who patiently puts the ball in the back of the net. Chelsea prospect, Matej Delač, was not at fault for the goal. The second half was almost a continuation of the first half, with France enjoying most of possession looking for the winner. In the 83rd minute, Francis Coquelin weaved his way through two Croatian defenders, setting up super sub Cédric Bakambu on the left side who calmly put the ball in the back of the net around the outstretched arms of Matej Delač. Croatia tried to press on in the final few minutes, however, little too late as Croatian fans around the world will experience déjà vu today.


Photo: UEFA; Gaël Kakuta equalized for France



French fans are on hand in large numbers at Stade Michel d’Ornano




Croatia 1 France 2


France: Diallo, Nego, Mavinga, Faure, Kakuta, Fofana, Tafer, Sunu, Griezmann, Coquelin, Kolodziejczak

Hrvatska: Delač, Vrsaljko, Andrijašević (C)('74 Punčec), Rugašević, Glumac, Ademi, Ozobić, Tičinović('58 Kramarić), Vukušić, Jonjić, Pamić