Germany
Ivica Olić went out in style for Hamburg on the final day of the season, helping them secure a berth in the newly created Europa League next season by defeating Eintracht Frankfurt 3-2 in front of 51,500 at Commerzbank-Arena. Ivica had several "Ivica Olić moments" in this game but it all finally payed off in the 58th minute as he headed in a goal off a Guy Demel cross.
Mladen Petrić also played the full 90, however failed to add to his season tally of 12 goals. Hopefully, Mladen will get his confidence back in time for Croatia-Ukraine.
"The joy is immense. The team has deserved this success and I am most pleased for our fans. They are incredible with 10,000 of them following us here to Frankfurt, which is amazing. They have deserved this European qualification as much as the team. Of course there could have been more in this season for us, but overall, the season has got to be regarded as a success. We have qualified for Europe once again and are therefore continuing in the right direction. Considering the whole season, the team and our supporters have deserved this success."~ Hamburg Manager Martin Jol told the club's website.
Josip Šimunić and Hertha Berlin ended what could have been a championship season with a disappointing crash to the Europa League for next season. Hertha failed to show up on the final day and got spanked by already relegated Karlsruhe 4-0, which ultimately cost them a Champions League spot for next season. Joe was booked just before the halftime whistle in what could be his final game for Berlin. Rumors began swirling last month about a possible EPL switch for the 31 year-old Australian born Croat. Stay tuned for "Rumormill."
Schalke playmaker, Ivan Rakitić, finished the season with a bang assisting on the first goal and hitting the crossbar in the late stages of the game in an unfortunate 3-2 defeat at home to TSG Hoffenheim. Ivan played the full 90 minutes in the final three games of the season for Schalke. Chances are that Schalke were showcasing Ivan for a potential trade partner this summer. The 21 year-old Croatian international has been courted by several teams from around Europe. If Juventus didn't "break bread" for Werder's Diego, chances are Ivan would be wearing a Juve shirt starting this summer.
Dino Drpić came on in the 63rd minute for Karlsruhe in their final Bundesliga match this season as they will be relegated to Bundesliga II next season. In front of 30,600 at Wildparkstadion, Karlsruhe put on a clinic, humiliating powerhouse Hertha Berlin and ultimately killing their Champions league dreams. Dino has received multiple offers from around Europe. Numerous sources feel that Dino won't be wearing a Karlsruhe jersey next season.
We will have a new member to "Croatians Around Europe" as Freiburg has now been promoted to Bundesliga. Ante and I will keep a close eye on Freiburg and former Croatian international Ivica Banović starting this summer. Freiburg finished up an amazing season with a 4-3 victory over Kaiserslautern at home on Sunday.
~Manu, reporting from Champion Freiburg, Germany
England
Both Luka Modrić and Vedran Ćorluka were in action for Tottenham in their season finale at Anfield against powerhouse Liverpool. With a win, the Spurs could have locked up a 2009-10 Europa League spot. However, Tottenham fell short as they lost to Liverpool 3-1. Both Croats played the entire match.
Modrić couldn't find a way to break through the tough Liverpool defense while Ćorluka was busy all day with threats from Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard. Carli received a yellow card in the 83rd minute.
So that's it for Modrić and Ćorluka regarding Tottenham until August. Next stop: Zagreb on June 6th to face off against Ukraine.
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.
France
Photo: Photo: FCnantes.com/ It's been that kind of season for Klasnić
Ivan Klasnić came on at halftime already down 2-0 to Sochaux, trying to get Nantes the result they desperately need to avoid relegation. Ivan managed to win a penalty kick in the 61st minute which Bagayoko Mamadou converted. However, it was little too late, as Nantes lost for the fourth time in five matches and now must beat AJ Auxerre at home on Saturday to have any hope of avoiding relegation.
Jerko Leko was out of action for Monaco, serving a one game suspension for excessive yellow cards, in a 1-0 defeat at Bordeaux on Saturday.
Dario Simić once again wasn't fit in time, while Nikola Pokrivač was left on the bench.
Photo: RCLens.fr, Runje makes key save against Boulogne
Vedran Runje and Lens were in action last Friday against Boulogne less than a week after clinching a spot in the French first division next season. With Boulogne needing a victory to stay in the hunt for promotion, Lens strikers appeared to take the day off, as Boulogne ran away with a fortunate 1-0 victory.
Photo: RCLens.fr, Runje gives up only goal of the game against Boulogne
Johann Ramare scored for Boulogne off a deflected free kick in the 58th minute. Vedran was not at fault, as the goal ruined his 12th shutout of the season. Runje and Lens will finish up a successful season this Friday at Dijon FCO hoping to be crowned second division champions. Runje will have competition next season as Lens today signed Tunisia international goalkeeper Hamdi Kasroaui to a three-year contract. The 26-year-old keeper moved from Tunisian champions Esperance.
Photo: RCLens.fr, Runje, French second division keeper of the year
Lastly, Runje was named "keeper of the year" of the French second division by the French Professional Football Union(UNFP)on Monday. Lens will be back in the first division next season after only one year in the second division. The question remains:
Runje or Pleti?
Photo: RCLens.fr, Lens fans celebrating promotion on final home game of the season
"This is a reward for a difficult decision I made, decision to stay with Lens, even though Lens dropped to second division this season. We achieved our goal, a return to first division football. I am convinced that everyone has learned a lesson from this season."~ Vedran Runje for L'Observateur de l'Avesnois
Greece
Photo: CSR, Rukavina(left) telling CSR's Ante he is disappointed not to receive a Croatian call up
Ante Rukavina, started and played 77 minutes in a 4-1 Panathinaikos home victory to PAOK Salonika. Ante's cross to Rodrigues Gabriel in the 40th minute resulted in a penalty kick which opened the scoring spree Panathinaikos. Still dificult to swallow the news that Rukavina wil be sitting at home watching Croatia-Ukraine next Saturday.
Mario Galinović once again was in goal for "the greens" and would have had a clean sheet if it wasn't for a 63rd minute blunder which left an open net for Elias Anastasakos. Panathinaikos need just a point at AEK Athenson the final matchday of the Greek Super League Playoffs on Sunday to secure top spot.
Italy
Photo: AP, Jurić(far right) tries to be peacemaker after the final whistle
With nothing left to play for but pride, Ivan Jurić and Genoa outplayed a physical Torino team winning 3-2 and register their 18th victory of the season. Ivan played the full 90 minutes and received his 12th yellow card of the season in the final seconds of the game. As a result, Jurić will miss the final game of the season at home to Lecce on Sunday. Genoa will be playing in Europe next year for the first time in 17 years.
Photo: AP, Genoa's Brazilian keeper Rubinho(green) takes down Torino's Marko Pisano after the final whistle
A scuffle broke out between Torino and Genoa players at the end of the match at the Olympic Stadium in Turin, minutes after Torino substitute Ignazio Abate was sent off in stoppage time for a professional foul on Croatian international Ivan Jurić.
Ukraine
Less than a week after winning the UEFA Cup for Shakhtar Donetsk, Darijo Srna was rested for Saturday's 2-0 home victory over Tavriya Symferopol. Shakhtar have secured a champions league spot for next season and will face Vorskla Poltava in the Ukrainian Cup final on May 31st.
Ognjen Vukojević played the full 90 minutes in a 1-0 victory away to FC Lviv. Dynamo have already clinched a place in next years Champions league and have won the Ukrainian league. The Ukrainian season concluded this Wednesday with Dynamo taking on UEFA Cup champion Shakhtar.
Sablić is fighting to be fit in time for Croatia against Ukraine on June 6th.
Russia
It went from bad to worse for Croatian international keeper Stipe Pletikosa. Ever since he was benched on April 11th, his Spartak Moscow team have won four out of the last five and half a five game unbeaten run with an alternate keeper. Should Stipe still start for Croatia after aging on the pine?
Ivica Križanac didn't play for Zenit St Petersburg this Sunday in a 1-0 defeat at Dinamo Moscow. Ivica will be out of action for at least a few more weeks and will miss the Ukraine match next Saturday.
Spain
Croatian forward Mate Bilić was Sporting's hero on Saturday with a headed winner 11 minutes from time securing a 2-1 victory at Valladolid and climbing out of relegation with a game left in the season. Bilić came on in the 69th minute and scored the game winner only ten minutes into it, his 12th goal of the season. What a shame to have Nikola Kalinić, who scored 12 goals in the Croatian league represent the national team instead of Mate.
Sporting is equal on 40 points with Osasuna in the third and final relegation berth, however, hold the tie break only by virtue of a better head-to-head record. With a victory at home to Recreativo Huelva on Sunday, Sporting will be guaranteed a place in La Liga next season. However, anything less than victory will keep their place in question.
Turkey
Croatian international Hrvoje Čale once again played the full 90 minutes in a Trabzonspor 5-2 victory away to Eskisehirspor. Hrvoje has been a regular left back for Trabzonspor, playing the full 90 in almost every game. Trabzonspor remain three points back of Besiktas for the Turkish champion with one game remaining. However, Besiktas has plus eight goal difference on Trabzonspor which is nearly impossible to overcome. Trabzonspor is at home to Fenerbahce, which is also looking to fight of Galatasaray for a place in next year's Europa Liga.
Next Matches:
Tuesday, 5/26 Shakhtar at Dynamo
Wednesday, May 27 Manchester United-Barcelona (Champions League Final)
Friday, 5/29 Lens at Dijon FCO
Saturday, 5/30 AJ Auxerre at Nantes, Monaco at Paris Saint-Germain, Spartak Moscow at Lokomotiv Moscow, Dynamo Kyiv at Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih, Shakhtar Donetsk at Metalurh Donetsk
Sunday, 5/31 Lecce at Genoa, Recreativo Huelva at Sporting Gijon, Panathinaikos at AEK Athens, Fenerbahce at Trabzonspor, Shakhtar-Vorskla Poltava at Dnipropetrovsk (Ukrainian Cup Final)
~Denis Svirčić, reporting from a little booth at the Croatian independence party in San Pedro, California
2 comments:
Your kind with your analysis of Corluka. He was absolutely terrible (picked out for poor defending/ attitude on Match of the Day) and i'm definitely going back on my idea about him being a centre back for Croatia. His attitude against Liverpool was appauling and he did this last season when playing for City against Boro on the last day of the season.
Lets not mention Ruki, Sertic, Galinovic and Bilic as lets just say HNS selectors is too think thick to call them. So basically what we've got is Petric, Pokrivac, Pletikosa, Klasnic, Leko, Kalinic, Vejic, Kranjcar unfit or out of form. Rakitic and Drpic starting to get better and Olic, Simunic, Modric, Runje, Vuko, Srna, Pranjic, Cale, Juric in form. And Robert Kovac, Gabric and Mandza playing well but at a low level. Lets hope the bad half of the team don't drag down the good half of the team. I'd say its very 50-50 this Croatia and Ukraine game. Depends wot teams and tactics both coaches pick.
I think despite what might want etc. Team will be this - Pletikosa, Corluka, Kovac, Simunic, Pranjic; Srna, Juric, Modric, Rakitic; Olic, Petric
I can see where this team may go wrong - but well will have to see. I can't see Bilic selecting anything different than what's above.
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