Well, at least until 2014. Croatian striker Nikica Jelavić was benched Monday night for 20 year-old Chelsea loaner Romelu Lukaku. After only one assist and zero goals in the first five games of the season, Jelavić rode the pine Monday night as Everton defeated Newcastle United 3-2. But what's more important is what his replacement, Lukaku, did. The future Belgian star … [Read more...] about Goodbye, Nikica Jelavić…
Archives for September 2013
HNK Week 11
By 47 CommentsResults for Sept. 27-29, 2013 NK ZADAR 0 - 0 GNK DINAMO ZAGREB Zadar could be celebrating as if they were victorious, because well, in a sense, they were. The team that has barley hung on to first-division status for several years in a row has shut down the mighty Dinamo Zagreb in front of 3,000 at Stadion Stanovi. Dinamo created chance after … [Read more...] about HNK Week 11
Croatians Around Europe *VII*
By 219 CommentsSPAIN Ivan Rakitic started for Sevilla in their 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad on Saturday. He picked up a yellow card in the 55th minute of an otherwise quiet performance from Ivan. On Wednesday however, Ivan had one of his best matches of the season, scoring on a penalty in the 17th minute and a fine free kick in the 53rd as Sevilla went on to win 4-1 over Rayo Vallecano. … [Read more...] about Croatians Around Europe *VII*
Croatia Mourns a Legend
By 5 CommentsFormer head of the Croatian Football Federation, Vlatko Marković, passed away on Monday in a Zagreb hospital at the age of 76. Marković has been fighting a battle with Alzheimer's disease, and recently contracted pneumonia, which worsened his condition. He famously coached teams such as Dinamo Zagreb and Hajduk Split as well as several other teams including Rapid Wien and … [Read more...] about Croatia Mourns a Legend
HNL Week 10
By 15 CommentsResults for Sept. 20-22, 2013 NK OSIJEK 0 - 1 GNK DINAMO ZAGREB El Arbi Hillel Soudani scored the lone goal of the game, but it was all that was needed for Dinamo to claim victory and remain on top of the league table. This was Soudani’s fifth goal of the HNL season, making him the second highest scorer in the league after Rijeka’s Leon … [Read more...] about HNL Week 10
Croatians Around Europe *VI*
By 73 CommentsENGLAND What a way to score your first Premiership goal. Not only did Dejan Lovren and the Southampton defense hold league leaders Liverpool scoreless at home, but the Croatian center back got the game's lone goal in a 1-0 victory Saturday at Anfield. After a scoreless first half, Lovren rose up into the air in the 53rd to meet Adam Lallana's corner kick with his … [Read more...] about Croatians Around Europe *VI*
Croatia Come Up Short In Bronze Medal Game, Finish 4th
By 18 CommentsPlaying for their first medal in 18 years, Croatia played with heart and intensity, fighting back multiple times, but falling to the very talented Spain 92-66. Croatia were able to keep the game close for most of the first half thanks to 18 points from Bojan Bogdanović, but Spain went on a run to close out the half up 11. Bogdanović went cold in the second half, scoring … [Read more...] about Croatia Come Up Short In Bronze Medal Game, Finish 4th
Poor 3rd quarter sees Croatia bow out of Eurobasket semifinals
By 81 CommentsThe magic finally ran out for the Croatian national basketball team Friday night in Ljubljana. After winning eight straight games at the 2013 European championships in Slovenia, Croatia were beat 77-62 by a tough Lithuania team in the semifinal match. After only being down three at the half, Croatia fell apart in the third quarter, letting Lithuania go on a 21-8 run to … [Read more...] about Poor 3rd quarter sees Croatia bow out of Eurobasket semifinals
Group Stage Opening Day proves tough for Croatian clubs
By 41 CommentsIt was a rough kickoff for Croatian teams in the Europa League group stages today, as both clubs, Dinamo Zagreb and HNK Rijeka, fell in their first group stage matches today. Dinamo were heavy favorites in their match that was played at Maksimir today against Ukraine’s FC Chornomorets Odesa. Just over 5,000 fans came to cheer on Dinamo, but watched them struggle in the … [Read more...] about Group Stage Opening Day proves tough for Croatian clubs