CROATIAN SOCCER REPORT

MODRIĆ & ĆORLUKA TO FACE DINAMO

2008-10-07T14:49:00.000-07:00

Former Dinamo Zagreb players, Luka Modrić and Vedran Ćorluka are thrilled to have the chance to play against the Croatian champion in the UEFA Cup group stage starting October 23rd. Dinamo Zagreb was paired with Tottenham, Spartak Moscow, Udinese and Nijmegen following Today's UEFA Cup group stage draw in Nyon.

Modrić moved to White Hart Lane from Dinamo Zagreb in a £16 million deal during the summer and said: “We were given quite a powerful group with attractive opponents and all I can say is that I'm exceptionally happy to be playing against my old club.”

Former Hajduk keeper Stipe Pletikosa still has fond memories of the Hajduk-Dinamo clashes. His Spartak Moskow team will make a visit to Maksimir on November 27th.

"I think that I should be happy to return to Maksimir and play in Croatia. Our league is almost at the end and we are all fatigued. Our last three matches are derbies, so we have a lot to look forward to”, concluded the Croatian keeper.

Dinamo starter Mario Mandžukić was also delighted with the draw. "I can’t wait for the group matches to start. I have faith in the fans and in our team and we have a great chance to progress. Also, it is great to play against my friends from the national team, where we can see who is stronger," concluded Mario.

Dinamo -UEFA CUP- Schedule:

October 23 Dinamo - NEC Nijmegen

November 6 Tottenham – Dinamo

November 27 Dinamo - Spartak Moskva

December 4 Udinese - Dinamo

~Denis Svirčić, reporting from Lakerville

CROATIANS AROUND EUROPE

2008-10-05T13:21:00.000-07:00

Greece

Ante Rukavina, 22 year old former Šibenik and Hajduk Split striker, scored for the first time for Panathinaikos.

Germany

The Hamburg Croatian attack of Ivica Olić and Mladen Petrić continued where they left off last week, with a goal a piece to keep Hamburg atop of the Bundesliga table.

Josip Šimunić surprisingly played well for Berlin, bringing Hertha a 1-0 away victory over Beyer Leverkusen

Netherlands

Danijel Pranjić added two goals from the spot to give Heerenveen a 5-2 win over Ajax. Now with 7 goals this season, Danijel only trails Matthew Amoah of NEC Bredetopnik by one goal for top scorer. Why this man is playing defense for Croatia is mind boggling.

England

Tottenham's Luke Modrić and Vedran Ćorluka played all 90 minutes in what is turning in to a disappointing season for the last place Spurs. Tottenham lost 1-0 to Hull at White Hart Lane, North London.

France

Looks like Ivan Klasnić's career is slowly winding down. He was slammed in French newspapers yesterday and was rated the worst player on the pitch in Nantes 1-0 victory over Grenoble on Saturday.

Vedran Runje continues to impress taking Lens to the top of the table with a seventh victory in nine games. Runje saved everything that was thrown at him besides a 23rd minute penalty kick.

Russia

Stipe Pletikosa remains frustrated at Moscow, as Spartak fail to score going down 1-0 to Krilja Sovjetov. Pleti had a few decent saves and wasn't at fault for the lone goal. Ivica Križanac didn't have much work in defense, playing a flawless 90 minutes for Zenit.

Ukraine

Ognjen Vukojević continues to impress for Dinamo Kiev. He was on the score sheet for one of Dinamo's 4 goal to one victory over Kharkov. Slaven Bilić will have lots to ponder about whether to start Ognjen or Niko Kovač for Saturday's Croatia away match to Ukraine.

~Denis Svirčić, reporting from Lakerville

10TH ROUND HNL RESULTS

2008-10-05T12:33:00.000-07:00

Here are the results for October 5th...

Inter Zaprešić [0 - 0] Slaven Belupo

Croatia Sesvete [1 - 0] Hajduk Split

Cibalia Vinkovci [0 - 1] NK Zagreb

NK Rijeka [0 - 1] HNK Šibenik

Dinamo Zagreb [1 - 0] NK Osijek

NK Zadar [1 - 0] Varteks Varaždin

BAD BLUE BOYS OVERSHADOW VICTORY

2008-10-03T00:51:00.000-07:00

Dinamo Zagreb's qualification for the UEFA Cup group stage was bittersweet, as members of the notorious Bad Blue Boys attacked fans and police in central Prague before and after the match. Hours before the match between Sparta Prague and Dinamo Zagreb, around 300 Dinamo fans, mostly Bad Blue Boys, started provoking Sparta fans which turned into thrown bottles and escalated into a scrap with Sparta fans and Czech police. As a result over 100 fans were arrested.

“Before heading towards the stadium, the fans attacked the police and one police officer was seriously injured with shards of glass” said the spokesperson of the Prague police, Iva Knolova to the Czech portal Novinsky.

Czech TV reported that fire-fighters and police were on strike today and yesterday and for the most part, the security was thin and unprepared.

This is nothing new for the Bad Blue Boys, as they have caused trouble all over Europe the past decade or so. Some of these Bad Blue Boys most likely were in the mix shouting monkey noises at England's Heskey during the England match in Zagreb.

Luckily, Europe continues to give the Croats just a slap on the wrist. However, something needs to be done so history doesn't repeat itself. These hooligans have to be registered and not allowed to cross international borders.

~Denis Svirčić, reporting from Lakerville

DINAMO SLIDES IN THROUGH THE BACK DOOR

2008-10-02T13:27:00.000-07:00

Dinamo Zagreb overcame a late scare by Sparta Praha to advance to the UEFA Cup group stages for the third time after a 3-3 away draw.

Unfortunately, the match wasn't televised in the United States, and myp2p.eu didn't broadcast the match online.

Tune in later for a detailed summary!

BILIĆ MAKES CHANGES FOR UKRAINE

2008-09-29T22:35:00.000-07:00

Croatia coach Slaven Bilić has called on uncapped goalkeeper Danijel Subasić and midfielder Ivo Ilicević in a 23-man squad for 2010 World Cup qualifiers at Ukraine on October 11th and four days later at home to Andorra.

Bilić said that 21-year-old Ilicević, has shined for Greuther Fuerth in the German second division, and deserves a call up.

"Ilicević has undoubtedly been one of the main players in our under-21 team in the last few years," Bilić said on Monday.

Hajduk Split keeper Subasić, 23, has done well this season following a transfer from Zadar last summer.

Bilić said the Ukraine game had become a key qualifier following the humiliating 4-1 defeat at home by England earlier this month.

"The game in Ukraine is particularly important as Ukraine are our direct rivals for qualifying. The defeat against England has somewhat upset us but we are not giving up our goal to qualify," Bilić told reporters.

Croatia, looking to bounce back after last months humiliating 4-1 defeat at home to England, will be without suspended defender Robert Kovač for both games. Robert's suspension opened the door for Dinamo Zagreb hitman Dino Drpić for a possible first cap.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Stipe Pletikosa (Spartak Moscow), Vedran Runje (RC Lens), Danijel Subašić (Hajduk Split)

Defenders: Vedran Ćorluka (Tottenham), Josip Šimunić (Hertha Berlin), Dario Knežević (Juventus), Hrvoje Vejić (Tom Tomsk), Ivica Križanac (Zenit St. Petersburg), Dino Drpić (Dinamo Zagreb)

Midfielders: Danijel Pranjić (Heerenveen), Darijo Srna (Shakhtar Donetsk), Niko Kovač (Salzburg), Luka Modrić (Tottenham), Jerko Leko (AS Monaco), Ivan Rakitić (Schalke 04), Ognjen Vukojević (Dynamo Kiev), Nikola Pokrivač (AS Monaco), Ivo Ilicević (Greuther Fuerth)

Forwards: Mladen Petrić (Hamburg SV), Ivica Olić (Hamburg SV), Ivan Klasnić (Nantes), Nikola Kalinić (Hajduk Split), Mario Mandžukić (Dinamo Zagreb)

2 questions for you: How do you like the squad? Who should start?

~Denis Svirčić, reporting from Lakerville

9TH ROUND HNL RESULTS

2008-09-28T17:19:00.000-07:00

Here are the results for September 26th and 28th...

Slaven Belupo[2-0]Dinamo Zagreb

Hajduk Split[3-3]Inter Zaprešić

NK Osijek [1-3]HNK Šibenik

NK Zadar[0-3]NK Rijeka

NK Zagreb[1-1]Croatia Sesvete

Varteks Varaždin[3-1] Cibalia Vinkovci

So we have now learned that Dinamo is in fact human after all; suffering their 2nd straight 2-0 loss this week letting some other teams catch up. Although Hajduk only mustered up a draw against Inter, Hajduk was down by 2 at one point and a double by Kalinić helped the 'Bili' get that all important point. Zadar fell once again and only has 1 point through their first 9 games. Their coach resigned in what has been a horrible start to the season, which inevitability will lead to relegation if they don't start putting points up on the board. Well it's definitely a season this year! Hopeully it continues like this so the games at the end will matter.

IS THIS THE END FOR ROBERT KOVAČ?

2008-09-26T21:31:00.000-07:00

After fining the Croatian Football Federation 30,000 Franks following monkey chanting directed at Emile Heskey during Croatia's 4-1 defeat to England in the World Cup qualifier, FIFA decided to suspend Robert Kovač four matches for an elbow at Joe Cole.

Robert received a straight red card by Slovakian referee Lubos Michel for his "accidental" elbow that hit England's Joe Cole and required 10 stitches to close up the head wound.

"I looked at the TV replay and I'm sure that the referee's decision was based on the blood on Joe Cole's head and pressure from England bench," said Niko Kovač after the match.

Robert, was in total shock after the announced suspension. "It is true, I am aware of the extended suspension, which is unbelievable. This news is shocking, and I am speechless. Srebrić promised me that HNS will protest, and hopefully, the disciplinary committee will realize that I didn't intentionally elbow that English player. If the suspension stays the same, then this match with England at Maksimir will be my final match for Croatia. All of this saddens me, however, this is life."

Now, the question is: Is this the end for Robert Kovač?

Hopefully, Robert changes his mind. A Croatian legend shouldn't be remembered for a red card causing him to retire.

Source : Sportske Novosti

What should Robi do?

~Denis Svirčić, reporting from Lakerville

KERUM TO BUY HAJDUK???

2008-09-26T06:06:00.000-07:00

An anonymous Croatian newspaper reporter has revealed that Zeljko Kerum, Croatia's retail king and owner of the Kerum supermarket chain, is interested in buying Hajduk Split. He is a very wealthy and popular man in Croatia, especially in Dalmacija.

Kerum is thinking about running for mayor of Split and just purchased a $17 million private jet. That's the kind of year he is having. The only thing that could make it any sweeter for him is if he could lock up the deal for Hajduk. Stay tuned.

CROATIAN FA FINED

2008-09-26T02:17:00.000-07:00

FIFA ended their investigation on the racist 'monkey' chants that came from a group of Croatian fans during the England match earlier this month. The chants were geared at England midfielder, Emile Heskey, who is a black man.

The Croatian FA was fined 30,000 Swiss Francs for the incident which is definitely something they should be happy with. I thought for sure that FIFA would make Croatia play one game behind closed doors (possibly vs. Ukraine) or not allow their fans a chance at tickets for the England rematch at Wembley next year.

There's almost an investigation for Croatia every year because of our fans. So it's either that we're doing something really wrong in the stands and FIFA should slam the door on us so we learn or they're just after us for whatever reason. But these little slaps on the wrist will not work, I assure you.

VLADE DIVAC 'FLOPS' IN ZAGREB

2008-09-26T00:02:00.000-07:00

The undisputed king of flopping, former Serbian basketball player Vlade Divac made a surprise visit to Zagreb today. Vlade was in the Croatian capital for the first time in 19 years and promised himself that he would pay special tribute to the late Croatian basketball legend, Dražen Petrović. Vlade Divac visited the new Drazen Petrović museum next to the Cibona stadium in Zagreb.

Vlade signed the guest book:

'Kako vrijeme ide, prijatelju moj. Vratio sam uspomene na nešto najbolje što je Europa ikad imala u košarci'

'Oh how the time flies my friend. I remind myself wit memories of Europe's greatest ever in basketball.'

Living in Los Angeles, most Croats developed a strong hate for the Lakers with the arrival of Vlade Divac in 1989. Los Angeles Croats jumped ship and became "overnight" Celtic fans, because Boston signed Croat Stojko Vranković the same year.

Vlade Divac will forever be remembered as the Croatian "flag torcher." During his rookie season with the Lakers, Vlade was seen burning a Croatian flag that a fan gifted him. Later Vlade apologized and claimed that he has nothing against Croatia and its people, that he didn't mean to do any harm, and that we are all one people. He didn't want a lone Serbia, but instead a united Yugoslavia.

I am a huge believer in "forgive but don't forget." Vlade came to Zagreb to pay his respects to a great friend. The end. Serbia this, Serbia that, shouldn't be brought up. Politics and sports shouldn't be used in the same sentence. The war had separated the two way before the flag burning incident. In 1990, Petrović and Divac were great friends on the world champion Yugoslav basketball team. The war and politics separated them.

Last summer, I had the privilege of attending the Drazen Petrović museum. Words could not describe what I felt. Maybe a few pictures would help me out:

Joze, took me a second, hopefully I answered your question.

"How is that Drazen Petrovic museum?
I walked past it when I was in Zagreb but didn't go inside."

Vlade still holds the NBA record with the most flops in a single season, career, single game, and all star game.

comments?
Comments Please?

~Denis Svirčić, reporting from Lakerville

KALINIĆ ON THE WAY OUT????

2008-09-22T14:23:00.000-07:00

A day after assisting on both "bili" goals in Hajduk's 2-0 victory over Dinamo in Zagreb, Nikola Kalinić might be on his way out. Sportske Novosti has confirmed that Atletico Madrid scouts were at the game match courting Nikola Kalinic.

Last summer Hajduk rejected all bids for Kalinić, however, with the winter transfer window right around the corner, scouts are busy searching for new talent months before the negotiations start.

I don't see Nikola continuing at Hajduk next year. Any reasonable offer for the HNL leading goal scorer and he is gone. Hajduk can not afford to pass by a 12-15 million Euro bid for the young prospect.

On January 27th, CroatianSoccerReport.com wrote about a 12 million euro bid for Nikola:

DNIPRO DNIPROPETROVSK OFFER 12 MILLION EUROS FOR KALINIĆ?

Hopefully, Kalinić at least finishes out this season, preferably with a Hajduk championship. I don't see Hajduk winning without him.

Source : Sportske Novosti

What should Hajduk do?

~Denis Svirčić, reporting from Lakerville

HAJDUK COMES THROUGH IN STATEMENT GAME

2008-09-22T02:03:00.000-07:00

First off, I'd just like to apologize for getting this post up so late. I just finished watching the game on Croatian satellite in America as the match was shown on tape delay.

So as we all already know, Hajduk beat Dinamo yesterday 2-0. To the normal fan it could only be seen as one game in a long season between two hated rivals. But it was much more than that. This was a statement game for Hajduk that they had to play in the 'lion's den'. This game would justify the lackluster start they had to their Croatian season and early Uefa Cup exit. Well, it was justified and may have just saved the Prva Liga from another horrible season.

Yes, the Eternal Derby has returned with this Hajduk win. The first half posed chances for both sides; none of which resulted in a goal. There was definitely a lot of foul play by Dinamo on the Hajduk players. Cheap shots to the knees and ankles of the 'Bili' as well as cleats up slide tackles. I'm surprised there wasn't more yellow cards in the game.

The video below shows you absolutely everything you need to know from the game. From the goals to the fouls and even a firework display from Torcida that would even make Michael Bay (an American director who likes to blow everything up in his movies) proud.

The only thing you can't see in the video is how terrible this Hajduk team is at celebrating. After the first goal was scored by Gabrić, the whole team started chasing him across the field in excitement. When he had nowhere left to go he ran into one of the larger Hajduk players and fell straight to the ground playing it off as a slide. At the end of the game, an unknown Hajduk player tried throwing his jersey to a section of the Torcida crowd. The player tried throwing the jersey 3 times over the 15- foot wall but just couldn't make it. When he finally figured out that the plan wasn't going to work, he just grabbed his shirt and went back to celebrating with teammates. I won't hold this against them, but it's still funny.

Here's the video. I hope you enjoy. And I give much praise to whoever edited it and hope we can work together in the future on some projects. Please contact me.

HAJDUK OUTCLASSES DINAMO IN ZAGREB

2008-09-21T13:14:00.000-07:00

Hajduk 2 Dinamo 0

Hajduk Split, with goals from Drago Gabrić and Ibričić, celebrate a 2-0 victory over hated rivals Dinamo Zagreb.

Unfortunately, this match wasn't shown live anywhere in the United States. The game will be shown on replay on "slika hrvatska" Croatian satellite here in the United States at 8pm pacific standard time.

CroatianSoccerReport.com will have an in depth game summary following the replay.

8TH ROUND HNL RESULTS

2008-09-21T13:13:00.001-07:00

Here are the results for September 21st...

HNK Šibenik [3 - 0] Slaven Belupo

Croatia Sesvete [4 - 0] Varteks Varaždin

Cibalia Vinkovci [1 - 0] NK Zadar

NK Rijeka [0 - 0] NK Osijek

Dinamo Zagreb [0 - 2] Hajduk Split

Inter Zaprešić [1 - 1] NK Zagreb

HAJDUK- DINAMO DERBY

2008-09-20T21:06:00.000-07:00

The classic Croatian derby returns as Hajduk Split travels north to visit 'good' friends Dinamo in Zagreb. And the only thing I can guarantee is that the stands will look like the picture above.

So what will we learn this time around? Has Hajduk matured? How will Mirko Hrgović react playing against his former team? Will Dinamo remain the Croatian Prva Liga 'Daddy'?

All this will be answered tomorrow, maybe not in full, but it will definitely give us an indication of how the Prva Liga will be played out.

But the ultimate question is, How much do you really care?

TONI KUKOC TURNS 40

2008-09-18T21:02:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Toni Kukoc

As you all know, CroatianSoccerReport.com is here to report on soccer. However, once in a blue moon, we will throw in some Basketball, Olympics, American football, Ping Pong and anything else making Croatian news.

Today one of the most reliable sixth men to ever play the game turns another year older. Three-time NBA champion Toni Kukoc is 40. In celebration of his birthday, here is a look at a few highlights from his career:

- Three-time NBA Champion ('96, '97, '98 Chicago Bulls)
- Won the 1996 Sixth Man Award
- Ranked third in scoring behind Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen in three championship seasons
- Led the Bulls in three-pointers during 1998 title-winning season
- Three-time European Basketball Player of the Year
- Two-time Olympic silver medal winner

He has been nicknamed "the white Magic", "the spider from Split", "the Pink Panther", "the waiter","the European Jordan", and was known as "the Croatian Sensation" when he played in the NBA.

Toni Kukoc interview March, 2008

Toni Kukoc Stats

Toni, I followed you since the day you signed for the Bulls. Even though I never had the pleasure to meet you, I watched you play at the Staples Center in Los Angeles half a dozen times. You have done wonders for the sport and will forever be remembered not only by Croatians, but basketball fans worldwide.

~Denis Svirčić, reporting from Lakerville

HAJDURABIA??????

2008-09-18T15:05:00.000-07:00

Hajduk Split president Mate Peroš reported yesterday in the Slobodna Dalmacija that an "Arab interest" has offered 50 million Euros for the rights to Hajduk Split.

Last week, everyone is Split was contemplating a possible Mamic Hajduk Split takeover. Today, a new unthinkable power has emerged as a possible possessor: The Arabs

Will Hajduk sell out before its 100th birthday?

Slobodna Dalmacija story

Looking forward to reading your opinions on this. Where are my Hajduk fans?

~Denis Svirčić, reporting from Lakerville

SLAVEN FALLS ASLEEP FOR FINAL 10 MINUTES

2008-09-18T13:58:00.000-07:00

Slaven Belupo turned a one-nil lead into a two-one defeat at the hands of CSKA Moskow in Koprivnica. With 3,500 on hand at the Gradski stadium for this UEFA cup encounter, Mario Jurić put Slaven ahead just before half-time scoring off a Kaja Rogulj corner in the the 43rd minute. Slaven was the better team in the first 75 minutes, however, fell asleep for the final fifteen minutes which led to defeat.

Vagner Love was the star of the night, as his two goals in the final 10 minutes secured victory for the Russians. 150 Russian fans were on hand to witness CSKA Moscow get the result.

CSKA Moskow trainer Valery Gazajev had this to say:

"I have to say that Slaven Belupo was very motivated for the match. This was clear at the whistle. However, we had to win and that was the difference between the two sides. Tonight, our football players were better and this was shown in the second half and ultimately in the final fifteen minutes."

Slaven Belupo trainer Mile Petković had this to say:

"We played with the same energy that we have played with in the HNL this year. The first 75 minutes we were the better side. With quite a few chances, it was a shame that we couldn't have scored another goal during the first 75 minutes. However, the match lasts 90 minutes and we fell asleep the last fifteen or so minutes and paid with the result. CSKA pressured us and our young defenders made some silly errors."

Now Slaven travel to Moscow, knowing that they must put at least two in the onion bag to progress.

~Denis Svirčić, reporting from Lakerville

LUKA MODRIĆ INJURED AGAINST VILLA

2008-09-15T14:11:00.000-07:00

Tottenham's worst start in 34 years continued today going down to a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa at White Hart Lane. After four matches, the North Londoners find themselves at the bottom of the table with one point.

Things got worse for the struggling Spurs when Croatian international playmaker Luka Modrić was forced off through injury on the half hour mark. Jermaine Jenas replaced Luka in the 26th minute, as a Martin Laursen challenge was too much to handle for the 23 year old Croatian midfielder. Modrić was down for several minutes holding his left knee. A bit of good news is that he managed to walk off on his own, didn't show any signs of a limp, and will be reevaluated tomorrow morning.

Vedran Ćorluka made the start and played a brilliant 90 minutes for the Spurs.

Hopefully, this is just a minor knock and Luka will be back in action within a few days. However, Luka has had some history with that left knee. We will bring you more on this as the story develops.

7TH ROUND HNL RESULTS

2008-09-14T14:12:00.000-07:00

Here are the results for September 14th...

Hajduk Split [1 - 0] HNK Šibenik

NK Zadar [1 - 2] Croatia Sesvete

Cibalia Vinkovci [3 - 1] NK Rijeka

Slaven Belupo [4 - 2] NK Osijek

NK Zagreb [2 - 2] Dinamo Zagreb

Varteks Varaždin [1 - 0] Inter Zaprešić

OLIĆ & PETRIĆ GIVE HAMBURG THE WIN

2008-09-14T04:34:00.000-07:00

The Ivan Klasnić 'can't buy a goal for Croatia but owns the BundesLiga' syndrome is back! However, it's not Mr. Klasnić this time as he has moved on over to France to play for Nantes this season. Fellow compatriots, Ivica Olić and Mladen Petrić, who both now play for Hamburg of the German BundesLiga, seem to have been bitten by the bug that turns Croatian strikers into superstars when playing in Germany while turning their international game into garbage.

Hamburg defeated Bayer Leverkusen 3-2 on Saturday. Olić tied the game up in the 51' for Hamburg and Petrić put in the game winner 20 minutes later. As you can see in the video below, neither goal was all that impressive but at least they're putting the ball in the back of the net. So why do Klasnić, Olić and Petrić score with ease in Germany and then falter on the international level?

I thought about it for awhile. I just couldn't comprehend how our strikers were doing so well and scoring game-winners week in and week out. But after watching Luca Toni, who plays for Italy and absolutely tears it up for club team Bayern Munich, struggle to score at Euro 2008; it all made perfect sense to me.

The German BundesLiga is not all that great!

Sure they are considered the 4th best league in Europe, but they are far, far away from the skill level that plays in England, Spain and Italy. I'm sure if our strikers were playing in these leagues they wouldn't be scoring so easily; with the exception of Eduardo of course.

I'm just sick of hearing Olić and Petrić play so well for their club teams. Then, when they get the chance to start for Croatia, they look like a bunch of chickens with their heads cut off.

Petrić has only scored one relevant goal for Croatia- the one that sent England packing early for their 2008 summer vacation. He has scored 10 goals for Croatia in 30 appearances, but 6 have been against Andorra.

Olić also has 10 goals for Croatia; but in 60 appearances. His goals are a bit more valuable but always easy nonetheless. What I mean by easy is that Olić never scores skillful goals where he is blasting the ball by the keeper or taking on defenders with speed. In recent time, the last goal he scored against Germany at Euro 2008, was an easy tap in where the ball came right to him after hitting the post. Eduardo did all the work for Olić's goal against England last November at Wembley. He just needed to tap it into an empty net, and even then he had to look back to make sure it went in after he started to celebrate pre-maturely.

Bottomline: These two make me nervous. I don't enjoy watching them play striker for Croatia and I can't wait for Eduardo to get back to full form and an official call-up for Cvitanić. We can only pray that these '2 peas in a pod' can play well against Ukraine next month.

CAN POLJUD BECOME THE NEW MAKSIMIR?

2008-09-13T20:13:00.000-07:00

Slobodna Dalmacija is reporting that many Croatians in Dalmacija, especially Split, want Croatian qualifiers played at the Poljud now that the undefeated competitive streak has been broken at Maksimir in Zagreb. This is really the only opportunity that Split has to lure Croatian FA representatives into making a switch of home grounds for the team- even if it's only a few matches to start off with.

The saying goes, "If it isn't broken, then don't fix it." Now that the 'Croatian Wembley' (Maksimir) has been infiltrated; and the streak broken, I think a change would be good for the Croatian FA, as well as the entire country. Anyone would be called crazy and checked into a mental institution if they dared to recommend a change from Maksimir in the past few years. But Croatian football is now starting off with a clean slate with their next home game against a pretty bad Andorra side in Zagreb on October 15th.

So why might the Croatian FA and fans alike not want games played in Split?- well maybe because Croatia has never won a game at the Poljud, ever! Croatia has 3 losses and 3 draws at the Poljud in six friendly matches. And in the only three qualification games Split has ever hosted (the last one was played in April of 1997 against Slovenia in a World Cup 1998 qualifier), Croatia has posted 3 draws.

So if it was up to you, would you move any qualifiers to Split? I mean the city is the central hub of the Croatian coastline and hasn't hosted a 'real' Croatian international in over 11 years. I think it's time. And I also think the fans in Split would even be better; as long as they behaved themselves- not to take anything away from fans in Zagreb as they are always great.