Today, Croatian manager Slaven Bilić announced that starting midfielder Niko Kranjčar will be sidelined for up to two weeks. The 24 year old Portsmouth midfielder, picked up the injury yesterday playing for Croatia in a friendly match with Slovenia.
"Luckily, there were no ligament damages, however, still is difficult to tell how long he will be out. Niko will have to rest for at least a week and I expect a quick return. This injury is the worst thing we got from the match with qualifiers around the corner," said Bilić.
With the excellent performance by Ivan Rakitić yesterday evening in Slovenia, I just don't see Niko starting for the Vatreni against the Brits. I like Niko and Petrić off the bench.
Here is my lineup for England
Pletikosa
Ćorluka, R. Kovač, Šimunić, Pranjić
Srna, N. Kovač, Modrić, Rakitić
Klasnić, Olić
Rob has already came through for us and gave us his lineup. Now its your turn!
In the opening match of UEFA CUP qualifiers, Hajduk Split left Poljud satisfied with a convincing 4-0 victory over Maltese Birkirkara. Hajduk goal scorers were Ibričić (2), Kalinić (24), Bušić (54) and Tičinović (74). The return leg, as if anyone cares, will be in Malta on the 31st of July.
Croatian Prime minister, Ivo Sanader, was one of 15,000 in attendance at the Poljud. Even though Birkirkara has a rating of zero and didn't manage one shot on target, Torcida and Hajduk fans were more than satisfied with the effort of this 'new' Hajduk team.
Bušić (54) and Tičinović (74) goals
The Torcida left a special message for Hajduk-Dinamo transfer Mirko Hrgović:
"Hrgoviću, tko te jebe, možemo mi i bez tebe, Hajduk šampion!"
Qualifiers for UEFA CUP kicked off today with Slaven Belupo traveling today to Malta to face mighty Marsaxlokk FC.
Over 400 people managed to show up to Nacional stadium Ta' Quali for the 'derby.' Slaven Bulpo virtually guarnteed itself a place in the second round with a more than convincing 4-0 drubbing of Marsaxlokk FC.
Slaven Belupo 4-0 Marasaxlokk
Slaven goal scorers were: Kristić (15), Poldrugač (29), Tepurić (34) i Vručina (78). The return leg, as if anyone cares, will be in Koprivnica on the 31st of July.
Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb overpowered Linfield 2-0 in tonight’s UEFA Champions League Qualifying match at Windsor Park. The boys from Belfast played with heart, however, talent wasn't on their side tonight. Linfield started with a 4-1-4-1 formation, which quickly turned into a 9 men behind the ball formation.
The opening goal arrived after just 19 minutes into it, from a great right foot by 22 year old Dinamo prospect, Mario Mandžukić. The ball was crossed into the box from the right and the Dinamo striker shrugged off a Linfield defender and blasted the ball into the upper left corner of the net.
Aidan O’Kane had Linfield's only chance 29 minutes into it, however, his fierce drive from the right was pushed away by Tomislav Butina in the Dinamo goal.
Dinamo continued to press in the second half but Linfield keeper, Alan Mannus was superb in goal.The pressure finally got to the boys from Belfast in the 90th minute when Dino Drpić scored to make it 2-0 for the 'Bad Blue Boys.' Linfield conceded a free-kick on the edge of the box and Dino blasted a low shot around the Linfield wall and passsed the helpless Mannus into the net.
Player of the match was Pedro Morales, who transferred to Dinamo this summer to replace Luka Modrić. Pedro was all over the midfield, directed play, and gave Mandžukić a half dozen good balls.
Overall, a comfortable win to say the least for Dinamo Zagreb against a pesky Linfield side. Dinamo is a lock into the second qualifying round.
One final note:
The Vatican flag from EURO 2008 Turkey-Croatia match finds its way to Belfast!
Danijel Pranjić could be on his way out of Heerenveen after announcing he wants to move to a bigger club.
"I am ready for that next step," Pranjić told AD Sportwereld. "Last year I extended my contract until the summer of 2012, but I want to go to a higher level.
"When the club sells me, I don't want part of the transfer fee. That is what I have agreed with the club."
The 26 year old left wingback has played 99 games for Heerenveen since joining three years ago. Daniel blossomed with the Croatian national team during the EURO this summer and will most likely be a key figure for Croatia during world cup qualifiers which start in September.
Danijel has proved himself not only in Heerenveen, but on a bigger stage for Croatia during the EURO that he is ready for the next step. Hopefully, Heerenveen won't have a problem letting him go so Daniel can play for a bigger club.
What do you think about Pranjić playing in the premiership? Another Croatian taking a British job.
Ladies and Gentlemen, once again, I have to apologize for not being able to deliver this time sensitive information at an earlier time. After a diet consisting of Austrian wieners and beer, luckily, I have returned to Zagreb in one piece.
In the next few paragraphs I will try to summarize what I experienced in Klagenfurt, Austria during the Croatia-Germany game.
Luka and I left Bratislava, Slovakia at 3pm local time and arrived in Klagenfurt at 10pm local time. Our first objective was to find a hotel, hostel, or anything with a roof over our heads for the night. After a few hours of searching, we ended up at our last resort: fan camp. This organized convention like center, is the last call for fans without hotel reservations. As you can see by the picture, it wasn´t Holiday Inn. Just imagine 800 sweaty, stinky, drunk Europeans under one roof!
There were plenty of pre-night parties all over the city. However, due to fear, most Klagenfurt locals booked early vacations to France and Italy. Every Austrian woman received pepper spray in case the earth was coming to an end. This was a Bonanza ghost town, not an Austrian in sight. The very few Germans that would show up, partied with us throughout the night.
On June 12th, Klagenfurt was truly Croatian for the day. For some reason, Germans were a needle in a haystack. Croatian music was playing all day and night all over the town center, stadium, and throughout Klagenfurt.
After the match, everyone made their way down to the town center to sing the night away. What an incredible achievement for a small nation, but gigantic football nation. In my opinion, this result was third all time next to Germany-Croatia world cup 1998 and Holland-Croatia World Cup 1998.
As the national anthem played, Croatians around the world were singing as one!
Croatians from all over the world; Germany, USA, Argentina, Slovenia, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, were all on hand to support the vatreni in victory. We ended up watching the game in the town center at the fan zone. After every goal, Croatians were drenched with beer. "This is unbelievable. As a realist, I was hoping for a draw, but victory over a superpower like Germany is something that I will remember forever. We are going to the final," said Josip, a Dinamo Zagreb fan.
After a six hour train ride, Luka and I arrived in Zagreb without showering for three days, hair sticky from beer, malnourished, and fatigued. All of this just to watch Croatia play Germany with our people.
For some reason, the media is still bashing Slaven Bilić and his tactics. We should stop criticizing this genius and let him do his magic. The Poland game is pointless; win, lose or draw. Against the Czechs we will be ready, and a semifinal matchup with the Germans will be classic.
Here is a video from Vienna following the Croatia-Austria match. Tamburica was lighting up the rainy skies in front of St. Stephen's Cathedral.
We arrived to Klagenfurt the night before the game. For the most part it was pretty dead with only about a few hundred or so people out in the town center singing and dancing to Croatian music.
pregame
This morning, Croatians are rolling in by the thousands. Hundreds and maybe thousands of police from Germany, Croatia and Austria are here to make order.
A bus carrying 100s of German fans was stopped as a dozen Croatian fans laid down in the middle of the street preventing the bus to pass. Austrian police were called to the scene to beat on the Croats. A dozen helicopters are circling the rainy Klagenfurt skies.
Interviews
´´Both Croatia and Germany are very talented and great football teams, however Croatia will not beat Germany..... 2=1 Germany... Klaus from Klagenfurt`´
"The atmosphere is unbelievable. As a Croatian living in Klagenfurt, I never thought something like this was possible in a small city like Klagenfurt. Croatia didnt show up against Austria and will be ready for the elf....Croatia 2=0....." Ivan, a Croatian living in Klagenfurt, helped order us cold cuts in supermarket..
"Croatia will not lose. We are the best. Croatia only shows up against the best. 2=0 against Germany and then we lose to Poland." Mirko from Varazdin
chants
Here are some of the chants that can be heard from miles away. "bjezi te ljudi....jer ovdje igra Hrvatska".... "Deutchland, Deutchland, ...Aufedezen...Aufedezen " "U boj, U boj".... a half dozen Thompson songs..... "Mi Hrvati"..... "tj ne skoci provaslavac...hey. hey. hey."..... "ubi ubi ubi Srbina.....Srbina....ubi ubi ubi Srbinaaaaaa.."
Denis Svircic reporting from Klagenfurt for CroatianSoccerReport.com
Where should I start? Lots to say, so very little time.
First of all, I would like to apologize to all you viewers. I am uploading videos and photos as I type. Ante will have this up and running first thing in the morning.
I have ten minutes so I must type fast.
Croatia vs. Austria
The game went exactly as I expected. For some reason, I didn't comment on the outcome of the game. I remember telling my friends, 'Croatia will be up 2-0 at the half, then screw around in the second half and hang on for a 2-1 victory.' I was close.
I will summarize my experience at a later date. As far as the game went, nothing to be worried about. Germany dominated Poland so they won't be as sharp against Croatia. A tie against us and a victory over Austria and they will clinch first. As long as we don't lose against Poland we agree in for second. If we lose to Poland then Poland deserved it more.
Pictured..... A stunned reporter searching for answers
Who is man enough (or woman enough) to put their predictions on paper for the world to see(As you might have guessed CroatianSoccerReport.com has gone worldwide, we are jammin in Bucharest, Italians sending us viruses, and fake CroatianSoccerReport Tshirts spotted on every street corner in China.
Here are my predictions for Croatia and the tournament.
Croatia 2 Austria 1
Croatia 1 Germany 1
Croatia 2 Poland 2
EURO2008
Group A
1. Portugal 2. Turkey 3. Czech 4. Swiss
Group B
1. Germany 2. Croatia 3. Austria 4. Poland
Group C
1. Netherlands 2. France 3. Romania 4. Italy
Group D
1. Spain 2. Sweden 3. Greece 4. Russia
Quarters
Portugal defeats Croatia in extra time controversial goal, 2+1
Germany defeats Turkey 1+0
Netherlands defeats Sweden 2+0 without any troubles
France defeats Spain in a shootout after a scoreless game 5+4
Semis
Germany defeats Portugal in shootout after 1+1 draw also 5+4
Netherlands defeats France 2+1
Final
Germany defeats Netherlands 1+0
Hopefully, I am 100% wrong and Croatia prove everyone wrong and repeat a 1998 performance. However, speaking with my mind not my heart, EURO 2008 is Germany's to lose.
Looking forward to all your predictions.
Hurry, only a few days left.
For those of you that choose to be silent, I dont want to hear any +I told you so, I said this, I said that+
I am in Zagreb right now at an internet Cafe. Zagreb has organized 3 trains, called "fan trains" that will be full of Croats for the 6 hour train ride to Vienna on Sunday for Austraia=Croatia EURO 2008 soccer match. This I will not miss..
Keep you posted...
Tune in to
CroatianSoccerReport. com
for up to the minute videos and pictures from EURO 2008. I will try to take as many pictures and video of the train ride, pregame, game, and after game parties in and around Klagenfurt and Vienna.
Here are my thoughts on the game; and remember that I only saw various highlights of the game since it wasn't broadcast in America. Olić and Petrić looked promising up top and had some nice scoring chances, one of which included hitting the post. The chemistry looked OK on the scoring end and our defense solid. If this is things to come for Niko Kovač I can't wait to see more. The header off the corner was perfect.
Hungary got in a couple tricky crosses which didn't amount to much and their only goal came on a fluky play. Pletikosa didn't get a good punch on the ball like he should have resulting on the ball going off of Niko Kovać's leg and rolling back in the goal. There's nothing Pletikosa could have done after the lackluster clearing because his space was invaded by too many players. It's really not a big deal if you ask me.
I like this result. It will make us play hard in our opening match versus Austria and hopefully teach them not to underestimate any opponent. Remember that when we beat England in November; the vibe around the team was that of winning the World Cup when we had only prevented England from qualifying. Don't get me wrong, it was an incredible game and result for Croatia but not to that much hype. We are 1-1-2 since that game at Wembley.
I think it will fire up the squad for Sunday's game in Vienna. I'd like to see a 2-0 or 3-0 result for Croatia. That way if Germany does run the table and get the full 9 points in group play, we might only need a tie versus Poland and go onto the knockout round on goal differential. But it's too early to be talking about that.
Just a few sidenotes. Danijel Pranjić was wearing Eduardo's #22 in the Hungary game. Dario Šimić is still 2 caps away from being the first ever Croatian to reach 100 career caps. Ivan Ljubičić will be facing the unranked Gael Monfils in the 4th round of the French Open. The match can be seen after the Federer-Benneteau match on DirectTV channel 217,701 in America.
After contemplating retirement, Niko Kovač is set to play another year for Austria's Red Bull Salzburg. After undergoing talks today with coach Co Adriaanse and Sporting Director Heinz Hochhauser, the Croatian captain has decided to extended his contract until 2009.
"I have always said that I would like to play in Salzburg for another year – and now I am officially able to celebrate," said Niko during the press conference in Salzburg.
Coach Adriaanse is, "pleased that Niko Kovač is staying. His experience and sheer class is sure to help us during the hugely important season ahead." Niko Kovač was an integral part of the Salzburg team last season, playing in 25 matches.
The former Bayern Munich player, was only once dropped to the substitute´s bench. On average Niko had more touches of the ball than any of his team-mates (87 per match). With 86% of his passes finding a team-mate he was a crucial midfield hub for the Austrian runners-up.
In just a few hours time, NK Rijeka will kick off against Dinamo at the famous Maksimir stadium in Zagreb. More importantly, this will be Luka Modrić's final game in the Dinamo blue.
As a Hajduk fan, I have been waiting for this day for many years. As a Luka fan, I have been waiting for his transfer to a bigger club, where Luka can finally spread his wings and fly.
What will you remember the most about Luka and his days in Zagreb?
Good luck Luka. We at CroatianSoccerReport wish you as much success with Tottenham as you had here in Zagreb with Dinamo.
Croatian football is in shock after 24 year-old NK Zadar forward Hrvoje Ćustić died from a head injury sustained during his side's league game against HNK Cibalia on March 29th.
Hrvoje fell awkwardly after a challenge during the Cibalia match and his momentum carried him off the field of play where he struck his head on a concrete wall only two meters from the touchline. He was taken to a local Zadar hospital where he immediately underwent surgery; only to be pronounced dead five days later.
Over one thousand people came today to pay their final respects to the young Croatian star. Zorislav Srebrić, Croatian manager Slaven Bilić, Igor Štimac, Ćiro Blažević, Zdravko and Zoran Mamić were some of the many faces, covered in tears, in attendance.
"The only thing I can say is that I am sad, infinitely sad… Till the last moment I hoped in a recovery, any improvement, I kept in touch with the doctors and his family. I believed that Hrvoje would not leave us and go away without saying goodbye… Unfortunately, it ended in the worst way. A young life has gone and only when we are hit by such tragedies, when such things engrave your heart, you understand how futile everything else is… the family always bears that strongest pain, a sincere sympathy in my personal name and on behalf of all those who love football, a football which he also loved more than everything…" - Slaven Bilic said.
The HNL has suspended all league play this weekend. All other sporting events have been postponed this weekend in Croatia as well.
Now the questions keep coming. Who is at fault? What needs to be done to avoid future tragedy?
People, it doesn't matter who is at fault. Croatia has lost a young and promising talent. Punishing an executive will not bring Hrvoje back. HNL needs to focus on the safety of the fans and players in the stadiums.
Why this cement wall is still standing two days later is shameful and outrageous.
An Italian friend of mine said, "and Croatia wanted to host the European championship." Our league and stadiums are at the level of a Central-American country. Imagine this happening to Cristiano Ronaldo playing in Croatia for the European Championships. The footballing world would never forgive us!
Sometimes a tragic incident like this can open up eyes and bring change. Something has to be done, ASAP!
I would once again like to thank everyone who voted in our Dinamo/Hajduk poll. It looks like we have more TORCIDA on the site than BAD BLUE BOYS. Out of 17 votes in just over two days, HAJDUK-11 and DINAMO-6.
