Photo: Michael Heuberger, Mensur Mujdža training for SC Freiburg
Ante and I are always looking to spice up CSR and a few months back we asked you, the fans, to contribute pictures, videos, reports, interviews and anything else you would like to share about 'up to the minute' news on Croatian soccer. Our dream is to one day have corespondents all over the world reporting on Croatian players from their own towns.
SC Freiburg season ticket holder, Manu, from Freiburg Germany, was the first to volunteer and will bring us news from the recently promoted Bundesliga club for the upcoming football season.
Today, recently signed Freiburg winger and Croatian under 21 prospect, Mensur Mujdža is in the spotlight. Mensur has played the last five seasons for NK Zagreb and was signed by recently promoted German Bundesliga club, SC Freiburg on June 17, 2009. The 25 year-old right wing back was also a member of the under 21 Croatian team, scoring twice in nine appearances.
Mensur Mujdža highlights
Training began for SC Freiburg last week, and with promotion to the Bundesliga comes a new sponsor. Nike has outbid Jako for the right to outfit Freiburg and will unveil the new kit on July 3th. Freiburg accommodated Mensur with the same jersey number(14) he wore with NK Zagreb.
Mensur Mujdža highlights(part 2)
Manu will also report on former NK Zagreb, Werder Bremen, Nuremburg, and Croatia striker Ivica Banović
Excellent work Manu, Ante and I look forward to the upcoming Bundesliga season. Keep us posted with the progress of Freiburg, Ivica Banović and Mensur Mujdža.
~“Manu, Croatia and SC Freiburg fan reporting from Freiburg, Germany”
Danijel Pranjić and Bayern Munich have finally come to terms in a three-year deal. Reports out of Munich are also stating that the transfer from Dutch side, Heerenveen, will cost Bayern €7million.
However, the deal almost didn't go through once again as Heerenveen asked for €7.7 million at the last second when they already knew Bayern had capped a possible Pranjić transfer at €7 million even. So what did Danijel do?
He paid the difference of the cost out of his own pocket to Heerenveen in the amount of €700,00. What an incredible move! This shows how badly Pranjić wanted to get out of the Netherlands and move on with his career. Thank you Darijo for the Goal.com article.
This is fantastic news for Pranjić who will now have the opportunity to play in the top tier of German football as well as Champions League this upcoming season. Staying in the Netherlands one more season would have been disastrous for the Croatian left-back.
Pranjić will also be playing alongside fellow Croatian international Ivica Olić. With Darijo Srna and Josip Šimunić looking for new clubs this summer; can one more Croatian join the party in Munich?
Thanks to Igor in Vancouver BC and Zach G for the early morning articles!
Ante and I are always looking to spice up this site and a few months back we asked you, the fans, to contribute pictures, videos, reports, interviews and anything else you would like to share about up to the minute news about Croatian soccer. Today, SC Freiburg and Ivica Banovic are in the spotlight, as long time Croatian Soccer Report follower and Freiburg, Germany resident Manu debuts “CSR FANS CHIME IN.” Manu will report on former NK Zagreb, Werder Bremen, Nuremburg, and Croatia striker Ivica Banović.
Banović is a former Croatian international, receiving two caps under Zlatko Kranjčar, his first cap coming for Croatia in their friendly match against Israel on 18 August 2004 in Varaždin. Later in 2006 world cup qualifying he made an appearance, playing as a substitute in the final 14 minutes against Bulgaria in Zagreb.
Manu at a home game in Freiburg
The following report was brought to you by Manu:
Freiburg Stadium
Sport-Club Freiburg, commonly known as SC Freiburg, is a German football club, based in the city of Freiburg in the Breisgau district of Baden-Wuerttemberg. SC Freiburg is currently in first place of Bundesliga II with 58 points out of 29 games, up 7 points on second place Mainz with five matches left to play. Freiburg will most likely be looking forward to playing in the Bundesliga next season for the first time since the 2004-05 season.
Ivica playing with the fans
Ivica Banović, born August 2, 1980, is a Croatian football midfielder, who plays for SC Freiburg since the summer of 2007. This season he received an injury at a pre season game against the national team of Cuba, with recovery taking longer than expected, he lost his starting position. Therefore he spent most of his time on the bench as a substitute. The last away game he came on in the 58th minute and scored the game winner and surprised all Freiburg fans because none expected three away points.
Manu at Freiburg game in Munich
Ivica started the last weeks home game because of another players suspension. He was at fault for a back pass to the goalkeeper which gave FC Ingolstadt 04 an equalizing goal to make it 2:2. However, Ivica made up for his mistake with the seond game winner in as many weeks to give Freiburg a 3:2 victory and itch ever so closely to promotion. The bench time seems to inspire his ambition and goal instinct as he isn’t known as a goal getter.
Manu at Freiburg game in Munich
"If you’re not playing you are not happy, but I am most of all pleased that I am healthy again”, he told and hoping that next summer he can “finally complete a pre season”. Also, that he will still be at the Breisgau, no matter moving up or not, there is no doubt about it: “I like it here, I am not planning to change, but next season it should be different”, said Banović, who’s contract will end this summer with an option for renewal.
That he sometimes seems huffy leaving the grass, not happy paying attention to the success of the team, the 28 year old disagreed: “Everyone will attest that I celebrate with everyone like the others.” To underscore of his priorities he explained: “If someone will came and told you: You are moving up, but you spent the rest of the games on the bench, then I would sign it. Promotion with the SC is something special."
interview from Kicker Magazine from 2-13-2009
Freiburg highlights 2008-2009
Song played before every Freiburg home game
~“Manu, Croatia and SC Freiburg fan from Freiburg, Germany”
