Netherlands
For the first time in club history, SC Heerenveen have won the Dutch FA (KNVB) Cup. The Frisian team won a nail-biting final against FC Twente in the Kuip stadium in Rotterdam with a penalty shoot-out after extra time failed to produce a winner. The final score was 5-4.
Celebration
SC Heerenveen reached the KNVB Cup final on two previous occasions; 1993 and 1997, but lost to Ajax and Roda JC. The team arrived back in Heerenveen around half past one on Sunday night to a heroes' welcome from a delighted crowd of around 20,000 Frisians.
Danijel Pranjićplayed the entire match, but wasn't selected to participate in penalty kicks(Flashes of EURO 2008?). Danijel has confirmed he's leaving Heerenveen after winning the Dutch Cup on Sunday. Liverpoo, Real Betis and Sevilla are in the mix for the 27 year old left wing-back.
Pranjić to Sevilla or Real Betis?
"This was the goodbye I wanted. I am 90 per cent sure I will leave. Liverpool are one of the clubs interested in me and everyone knows I am ready to play in another league. I think I will leave for seven or eight million euros."
~ Pranjić
England
Both Luka Modrić and Vedran Ćorluka were both in action and played the full 90 for Tottenham last Saturday in a 2-1 home victory over Manchester City. Luka and Vedran have been in top for this year, steering the Spurs away from relegation and into eight place in the English Premier League. Tottenham finish the season next Sunday at Liverpool.
Eduardo is out for the rest of the premiership season. Index.hr have confirmed that Eduardo will need an operation and will be out for Ukraine.
Eduardo status goes from stand-by to out against Ukraine
Niko Kranjčar is also out for the rest of the season, and remains in a fight to be fit for Ukraine. Portsmouth has fought off relegation this season, however, it is unclear whether Niko will return next season for Pompey.
Germany
Ivica Olić is looking to go out with a bang this season with HSV before officialy transferring over to the hated Bayern Munich this summer. Ivica scored twice last Wednesday at home to VfL Bochum to bring his total to 15 goals this season.
Ivica had an emotional send off on Saturday against FC Cologne in front of 57,000 adoring fans in his final home game. Trying to add to his 15 goal season, Ivica failed to get on the scoreboard in 90 minutes of work and came up short in a 1-0 defeat at the HSH Nordbank Arena. Hamburg must win this Saturday at Eintracht Frankfurt to qualify for Europa League next season.
"It makes me sad to think of leaving Hamburg with my famly. From next season I face the kind of challenge I have worked hard for during my career. The fact that I am going to a top European club is something I have to thank HSV and of course the fans for. I will never forget them and would just like to say a big thank you to everyone at the club."~Ivica Olić
Mladen Petrić might return for Hamburg's last game of the season Saturday at Eintracht Frankfurt.
Hertha Berlin were in action twice last week in the Bundesliga with the league championship and a champions league spot up for grabs. On Tuesday, Hertha were away to FC Cologne knowing that anything but a victory would knock Hertha out of the running for the Bundesliga title. Josip Šimunić played the full 90 minutes in a convincing 2-1 victory on the road to keep their slim title hopes alive.
On Saturday, Hertha was at home to Ivan Rakitić and Schalke hoping to inch closer to a champions league spot with a victory. Joe once again played the full 90, but Hertha failed to get a goal which they desperately needed and finished 0-0. With the draw, Hertha is out of contention for the Bundesliga title and must win at Karlsruhe this Saturday to have any hopes of a champions league spot next season.
Marko Babić hasn't traveled with Hertha since April 24. No word on his status with the squad or his future.
Ivan Rakitić made a smooth return for Schalke on Wednesday, scoring his first goal in Bundesliga this season on a beautiful free kick in the 39th minute of play. Schalke ended up on the short end of the result, going down 2-1 to Stuttgart, losing for the eleventh time this season.
Ivanalso started and played the full 90 minutes for Schalke against Hertha Berlin on Saturday. There were a few interesting challenges with fellow Croat Joe Šimunić in this contest. There wasn't a score in this encounter.
Dino Drpić was in action for Karlsruhe at home to Hannover 96 in hopes of getting out of the relegation zone and continuing in the Bundesliga next season. A two goal lead was not enough, as Hannover scored three times in a twenty minute span to return home with a valuable victory. Dino played the entire match, receiving a yellow card in the 24th minute.
On Saturday, Karlsruhe decided to leave Dino at home and traveled to Werder Bremen. Karlsruhe came away with an impressive 3-1 victory, however, little too late as they will be playing in Bundesliga II next season. Where will Dino be next season?
France
Photo: Photo: FCnantes.com/ Klasnić, had no answers for Toulouse
Ivan Klasnić hasn't been seen in two weeks now for Nantes. Ivan was an unused substitute in a Nantes 1-1 draw at home to Stade Rennes. With two games remaining, nantes will need at least one win to remain in first division next season. However, it doesn't matter for Ivan, because he will most likely be playing elsewhere next season.
Jerko Leko was in action for Monaco in a 3-0 loss Wednesday at Sochaux and on Saturday in a 1-1 draw at home to Valenciennes. Jerko wasn't having it against Sochaux, committing a season high 6 fouls in sixty minutes and received a yellow card for the eight time this season. Saturday, Jerko played the full match against Valenciennes. Hopefully, Jerko can pick up another yellow card this weekend, so he will get suspended for the season finale.
Dario Simić has been out of action for Monaco since April 26th because of back pains. No news on if Dario will return for the teams final two regular season games.
Nikola Pokrivač started and played 67 minutes in Monaco's defeat to Sochaux. Nikola didn't play against Valenciennes on Saturday.
Vedran Runje and Lens were in action Friday away to Brest. Lens, already promoted to first division next season, failed to show up and lost 3-1. Runje was at fault for the first goal and didn't have a chance on the other two. Lens have two more meaningless games left in the season. Does Runje deserve to start for the national team in June?
Greece
Ante Rukavina started and played 82 minutes for Panathinaikos in a 3-1 home victory to Larissa on Sunday. Ante played well, scoring in the 73rd minute after breaking free from the defense to put the game out of reach for Larissa.
Photo: CSR, Rukavina(left) telling CSR's Ante he is ready for Croatian call up
A bit disappointed not to see Ante's name on the list of players for Croatia against Ukraine.
Photo: UEFA, Mario in Champions League
Mario Galinović played the full 90 in both Panathinaikos playoff matches last week. On Wednesday, Panathinaikos drew 1-1 at home to AEK Athens and on Sunday won 3-1 over Larissa. Mario has learned yesterday, that he didn't do enough to convince Slaven Bilić that he deserves a place on the national team against Ukraine in June.
Italy
Photo: Genoa
Ivan Jurić started and played the full 90 for Genoa in a disappointing 2-2 home draw to Chievo Verona. With the draw, Genoa have clinched at least a Europa Liga spot for next season and must win their final two matches and hope for a Fiorentina slip to reach the champions league. Ivan played well, picking up a yellow card in the 63rd minute of play after a harsh tackle on Giampiero Pinzi. Ivan still has two matches left with Genoa to persuade Slaven Bilić to keep him in the starting lineup for Ukraine.
Ukraine
Darijo Srna's Shakhtar Donetsk was in action Saturday against Zorya, knowing that a victory would qualify them for Champions league next season. Darijo was rested for this weeks UEFA Cup Final, however he wasn't needed as Shakhtar came away with a 3-0 victory and will be playing Champions League next season.
Ognjen Vukojević and Goran Sablić were both out of action for Dynamo Kyiv on Saturday in a 4-1 victory at Karpaty Lviv. Dynamo have clinched the league title last week and a place in the Champions league. Goran is fighting to be fit in time for Croatia against Ukraine on June 6th.
Russia
Stipe Pletikosa once again rode the pine for Spartak Moscow in a 1-1 away draw to FK Tom' Tomsk. Stipe has been out of action for more than a month now. With only two games left before the Ukraine game, should Stipe get the start if he continues to be out of action?
Ivica Križanac didn't play for Zenit St Petersburg this Sunday in a 2-1 defeat at Zenit St Petersburg. Ivica will be out of action for at least a few more weeks and will miss the Ukraine match next month.
Spain
Mate Bilić came on in the 76th minute of play for Sporting Gijon in a 2-1 home victory over Málaga. Mate missed on his only chance in the 84th minute as his right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Mate wasn't chosen to represent Croatia against Ukraine in a few weeks time. With Eduardo most likely out and Kalinić and Petrić out of form, this reporter is still puzzled by his omission.
Turkey
Hrvoje Čale once again started and played the full 90 for Trabzonspor in a 1-0 home victory over Bursaspor. Trabzonspor squeeked out a victory in the final seconds, getting an injury time goal from Gokhan Unal to remain in contention for the league title as well as a place in Champions league next season. With two matches remaining, Trabzonspor trail Besiktas by three points for first, and have clinched at least a spot in Europa Liga.
Next Matches:
Wednesday, 5/20 Werder Bremen at Shakhtar Donetsk(UEFA Cup Final), Panathinaikos at Larissa
Friday, 5/22 Boulogne at Lens
Saturday, 5/23 Nantes at Sochaux, Monaco at Bordeaux, Hertha Berlin at Karlsruhe, Hamburg at Eintracht Frankfurt, Hoffenheim at Schalke 04, FK Amkar Perm' at Spartak Moscow, Dynamo Kyiv at FC L'viv, Tavria Simferopol at Shakhtar Donetsk
Sunday, 5/24 Tottenham at Liverpool, Genoa at Torino, Sporting Gijon at Valladolid, Kaiserslautern at SC Freiburg, PAOK Salonika at Panathinaikos, Zenit St Petersburg at Dinamo Moscow
~Denis Svirčić, reporting from Staples Center, California
3 comments:
still stipe should sit on the croatian bench call up a new goalie he is done now that he hasnt played in a month !!!
@Anonymous
Get a name, so we can refer to you in the future. As of right now, it's Runje or Pletikosa. I say Runje. I agree with you that sitting on the pine for a month will keep you on the pine for Croatia.
fucker its jonny
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