The year was 1998.
Croatian nationalism around the world was high. The football team was playing in their first World Cup as an independent nation. And Šuker was cool.
But what happened the fateful summer in France to the Vatreni is what true dreams are made of. Not only did Boban and friends make it out of group stage, but they managed a 1-0 win over Romania in the Round of 16 to set up a ‘David vs. Goliath’ encounter with Germany in the quarterfinals.
We watched in disbelief as Croatia defeated Germany 3-0. And although the Croatians fell short in the semifinals, to ultimately take home third place, the bar for future generations was set at an incredible high. However, the Vatreni would never duplicate what they did that summer in France, only making it out of group stage one time since 1998 (Euro 2008).
Many Croatian fans around the globe believe that no Croatian team in our lifetime will progress farther in a tournament than the 1998 Golden Generation.
But I disagree.
Why?
Because this is the most stacked team Croatia has had since 98. And there might actually be more individual talent in our starting XI in 2016 than Croatia had 18 years ago. (But we’ll save the individual talent debate for another time.)
With Modrić, Rakitić, Perišić and Mandžukić all in their prime, the time to strike for Croatian football is now. And how sweet it would be for the Vatreni to defeat title holders Spain in the last game of group play?
In our most recent poll, over 800 people voted on “Will this Croatia team be better than ’98?” It was our closest poll to date with 53% of you saying that no team will be better than the players that took the field in 1998.
For those of you that voted, please share with us your thoughts on the pick. The Croatian contingent is split on this debate.
So which team is better?
Is Croatia ’16 better than Croatia ’98? The NT of had two things going for it: a large pool of talent, and cohesion. Yes I see talent in Croatia ’16, but I unfortunately do not see cohesion. Like all of you I am pulling for the NT at the finals. And I hope I see that cohesion that has been lacking.
GO VATRENI!
Mladen Petric retired today.
It would be nice too see our Croatian catholic fans take photos with our Catholic brothers the Poles and the Irish, Portugalci at the Euro 2016 tournament.
All about war and fighting , poor cabbage heads!!!
I just bought an antique Italian WW2 rifle.
Never fired. Only dropped once.
@Turkey
But you were Bosnian “Orthodox,” when did you convert?
Religion….always about religion you people. Ugghhhhhhh. What is your religion lazio asks…unreal.
But Roman Catholic if you must know.
@Turkey
Shut up Turkey you moron.
Maybe you have Italian nationality, but your ethnicity is not Italian.
You might be an Italian Bosnian “Orthodox?”
What is your religion?
It’s funny, I was in Zagreb once and asked for a cappuccino in a little coffee shop. You know what I was served….stove top instant coffee with whip cream from an erosol can! Hahahahahahahah you guys have no idea about anything good in the world. Stick to your carcinogenic smoked foods and spit roasted lambs and pigs in the village!!!
The Italian one is the one that is on everything that is the best in the world. Or Sports cars, Fashion, food , soccer etc…you know ….everything that Croatia wishes they were.
I can’t tell the difference between a Mexican or Italian flag even though I am Italian.
I have a Napoleon complex and a tiny cock.
Sometimes I force my mom to smell my farts while my dad rubs a cheese grater on my sphincter.
Cause turkey has your number!!! I love it how there is an anonymous turkey trying to be me!!! Perfect
I am a really a filthy midget guinea.
I talk with my hands and everything.
I don’t know why I chose the name Turkey.
I said it before, but why would we schedule a home game against Israel given the actions of our fans and the scrutiny that we have been under for the last year?
FIFA is just going to escalate the punishments if this continues.
As long as we beat Spain and crush the filthy Turks I could care less how far we advance in the Euro.
I think Croatia should create a Catholic state!
I find ISIS’s fanaticism somewhat admirable!
Simunic…..another idiot to go with the rest. WW2 chant….when will Croatians realize that it’s 2016!!!!!
Elvis of course they’ve been banned. Croatians are nothing but SHIT disturbers. Rediculous villagers…look at them!! They should be banned from All fuckin sports!!!
There isn’t to many bars near the Eiffel Tower, assuming there’s gonna be alcohol sold inside the fan zone?
Goal Kramaric 1-0
http://www.tsn.ca/croatia-gets-2-match-world-cup-stadium-ban-1.496693
http://www.slobodnadalmacija.hr/sport/domaci-nogomet/clanak/id/313794/sokantna-vijest-iz-svicarske-fifa-kaznila-hrvatsku-s-dvije-utakmice-bez-publike
I just might. Thanks for the tip.
Keep trying Ziva Istina, not one wants to hang out with you. Why don’t you just put your baseball cap on, your loose fitting plaid shirt, your shorts and flip flops and approach some French girls and tell them you live the vive la france lifestyle. See how far that gets you.
Honestly, what the savez should do is organize a social media campaign through twitter and FB and try to set up a spot for people to meet. Then again, the savez doesn’t want certain elements of our fanbase near anything they do. So, tough one.
Correct @Ziva
Karlovacko is no longer a sponsor.
Poland wasn’t an issue , as there was usually 1 Main square in each city (Poznan, Gdansk) for fans to congregate.
Paris and Bordeaux are much larger obviously, and plenty of choices. Let’s see.
Fan Zone’s are for the tip – agreed.
For Paris? Not sure. I’ve been told my tiixs are Cat 1, but I won’t get my hands on them until the team arrives in Paris on Saturday.
ziva…….where u sitting
@Lazio… I agree, but also won’t we stunned if we beat Spain. We have the talent, just depends on how we mesh and if the defense can play well enough to give us a chance.
I won’t be stunned at all if Turkey beat Croatia.
I don’t think this team is as good as Srna the Mohammedan thinks it is.
The 98 team, now that was a team!
I can’t wait to take full advantage of these new bathroom access laws.
http://cache2.asset-cache.net/gc/525678842-dejected-croatia-team-after-they-lose-the-gettyimages.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=X7WJLa88Cweo9HktRLaNXkV013ikCidIj5%2FWs0U176UBdNecw0MSteP8527lo4r5qk7fCx0EKfDNnOv9xil%2F1Q%3D%3D
NO KOLO THAT DAY!!!!!!
Turkey is gonna come out flying on the 11th and will STUN all the Croatians once
again!!!!
http://www.sport.co.uk/football/turkey-late-show-stuns-croatia/3673/#C10C7QUCoR80swZG.97
Hahahahahahahshahahahahahahah I am putting a HEX on your team now!!!
The fanzones are usually a mess. Definitely worth visiting for at least one of the matches airing during the day just to say you were at the fanzone, but you are better off watching some of the games at a bar/café.
@idemo…..the good things about the Turkey start time is that as soon as the game is over the trip back into the center of Paris or the fanzone or a random café en route to those places is a short ride in the train or taxi.
Is anyone else going solo to Paris??
Dejan…..Paris fanzone big enough for 90 thousand
Since turkey game is at 3pm local I’m more concerned about what’s the plan for afterwards
Why not just all meet up in the fan zone? Isn’t that where everyone will be hours before the game?
@AB……..I don’t think Karlovacko is a sponsor of the repka any more; I think Ozujsko is the sponsor now. I haven’t heard anything. If anything, it will be a spontaneous gathering on the night before via social media like it was in Brazil. Only difference is there will be more of us in France than in Brazil.
Kramaric is going to be fine!
Krama is a bust
Tko jebe krama
Very interesting for Kramaric. Big risk in that he will need to carry this team, so here is to hoping he plays well under pressure.
Can Hoffenheim pull a Leicester? Nope, but Krama did give them a bit of Leicester-like momentum at the end of the season.
Kramaric chose Leicester over Chelsea for playing time, but no one knew it would be harder to crack the starting lineup at Leicester this year.
He then asked to go on loan around the new year and got enough playing time to get a look from Cacic for the Euros. Now he’s choosing the less flashy path with a permanent move to Hoffenheim where he’s likely to feature instead of a return to Leicester where he could struggle for minutes.
He’s making smart moves and hopefully setting himself up to reach his potential. Good for the fans and good for Kramaric.
AB
I’m looking for the same info, would be nice to know the meet up spot
Does anyone know of any organised meeting spots for Croatian supporters for the Euro matches in the 3 cities?
Back in the day, “Karlovacko Corner” always made it easy for Cro fans to know where to congregate
JM
I just read that too. Its a good move for him.
JM, I agree.
Great move for Krama and the national team. I wasn’t expecting this.
OKC defeated Golden State now 3-1 could be King James vs OKC again.Miami first season with LeBron James lose in the finals second season they defeat the OKC same pattern they are playing with us. NBA Entertainment like WWE all scripted.
kramaric signs deal with hoffenheim till 2020
a toast to the best striker potential in croatia in the past 20 years
I think this turkey guy has it right as well. These Croatians DO think they are all that when in actuality, ‘turkey’ is right….. They’ve proven NOTHING!!!!
i am from iran
i like croatia of 18 years old
Za Dom……like really…..get over it!!! Bunch a villager hicks!!!
@Turkey
Are you a Mohammedan?
Is anyone else sexually aroused by reruns of PeeWee’s Playhouse?
Motel 6????? Shiiiiiiiiiiiiitttttttttttttt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mama Istina has me a low per diem; that would be luxary.
Hey Ziva, ya Croatia will lose all the games!! So get extra hammered like Croatians know how. Shit, if there was a sport where you can get hammered and cause shit around a venue, sport or event…you shit disturbers/ hooligans would be top seeds!!!
– btw, shouldnt you guys be practicing your tambura village songs, and making mama / Tata proud????
have you guys met each other? CSR?
i disagree….i would like to meet ziva….but will ziva actually meet anyone else?
“Yeah meet and greet near the ice machine at the Motel 6. Just look for the guy in shorts and flip flops talking about his Za Dom Spremni lifestyle to the cleaning lady.”
that gave me a seriously good laugh at work, thank you, whoever you are!
Yeah meet and greet near the ice machine at the Motel 6. Just look for the guy in shorts and flip flops talking about his Za Dom Spremni lifestyle to the cleaning lady.
Ok Ziva, CSR meet and greet at your hotel
@idemo……….I’m all set for Paris as I have reservations and those can be adjusted. I getting into Europe a bit earlier and still haven’t figured out how early I want to arrive in Paris; one day before the Turkey game or a couple of days before the Turkey game?
@LUKA Madrid Modric “Hollywood”………….Going to a Euro or WC has nothing to do with your team winning or losing. Cro can lose every game 3-0 and it will still be a good time. However, a 3-0 win in every match can make it a much better time. If someone told me right now that Cro will lose every match, I would still. Nothing beats the atmosphere in the host country (even France) of a major sporting event.
I wouldn’t go to the tournament just in case Croatia get knocked out in the group stages I’m a realist.
Ziva idk how your dates aren’t set, you must have a 5 star ritz carlton type hotel with readily available 2000 a night rooms because Paris is booked
Ziva Istina, keep asking about events, but do you notice no one wants to meet you on a social basis or risk making you aware of an event they might also be attending? Just get used to also being alone all the time when you are in Europe, you can still post platitudes about football from your smart phone.
@ ziva
are you going to be meeting up with people in france?
andrew bogus molly querim is hot first take she hugged stephen a smith sas.
@Luka The fix is on, I heard Lebron & the refs got together and they are planning he will win gm 7 with a play called the oopty oop!
Good thing I have Cavs at 3-1 as per thread rhe other week.
im landing the morning of the 10th and then off to cro on the 16th
there are beers to be drunk boys
I heard the NBA Conspiracy theory that the fix is in for the Cleveland Cavaliers to win the NBA Finals Championship. The King will get his 3rd ring can’t see LeBron going 0-3 with the Cavs in the finals championship.
@idemo………..still unsure about arrival in Paris. Could be a day before the game or a few days before the first game.
Is there any organized gathering taking place in Paris with Cro fans or Cro corporate sponsors? I know in the past other nations usually have their corporate sponsors take over a bar/café the night before and day of the game and that serves as a meeting point for fans.
@BZ……but, I get your point. I think we are all in agreement Zuti should have come in with at least 20 minutes remaining in that game.
@Meta Body…..we shall see if he does. I hope he does, but I a sure you said the same thing going into Brazil and we saw the mental midget display by our boys when it mattered.
Zuti was not one of our top 4 players in France……..Fitness and health were an issue. There was much debate if he would even be ready for France that year.
@ziva Regarding Ciro’s success w/o Zuti: great teams can win w/o some of their great players, but the goal is not to be 3rd place. GSW have won .666 of games w/o Curry this year. Why not just dit Curry and be happy w/ an early exit. Summary: Zuti was one of our top 4 players, and he was riding the pine vs France.
Ps – Early exit might be coming even w Curry.
Agree meta body
I call BS on the Modric criticism for the repka.
Has been surrounded by old slow bums being lined up in retarded tactical alignments.
The entire game plan against Croatia is to stop Modric.
He has broken down physically for over use in repka games.
Put him in the midfield and surround him with speed and industry and will provide the magic.
Classic Self hating Hrvati looking for a fall guy.
Modric will flourish in France.
Idemo
I’ll be there June 8-15
What day are you guys arriving to Paris
Worst bet but best win? Tudor to score first goal of game at 15-1 vs France during 2004 Euros. Yup, I cashed in that ticket with his own goal.
Worth taking a flyer on Mandza. I can see him struggling as much as I can see him scoring a bunch of tap in goals.
Missed one… Kalinic is 66-1
Mandzukic 33-1. Tied for 7th most likely. Kramaric 100-1.
My best bet for Euro 2016
Ronaldo 7-1 to win the golden boot.
Get on it, should have it wrapped up after the first game!
If Modric didn’t care he would have already retired from International soccer and would just spend the summer resting to squeeze out an extra year or two at the club level. Not much he can do at this point to improve his stock, so I believe he’s playing for love of country.
If the team does well, Modric will have a great tournament because he’s a key part of the team. If we do poorly, he’ll take an inordinate piece of the blame.
@hold the door … the oopty oop is exactly what I am referencing, has nothing to do with the fact that Cacic is trying different formations/lineups during recent friendlies.
this is all i could find though on the oopty-oop
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANYJbKdMHk8
@allen I agree, good for him. His disciplinarian style is probably better suited toward teams with low levels of talent.
@ bz
you’re right…i’ve heard rumblings that modric, perisic, and brozovic made a pact before the friendlies to hold back and not reveal too many tricks
supposedly they’ve been working on something for the opening game called the oopty-oop
Modric CAN and will play better this summer. Did you see him & Perisic click on the left side vs Israel. We don’t want to show too much of that in the friendlies but guarantee you see a healthy dose of it vs Turkey. Cacic will start Mandzu & Kalinic up top, clearing out space for Modric & Perisic runs…it will be a thing of beauty. When the Turds-I mean-Turks cheat to the left then Srna/Brozo/Rakitic will be there to finish the deed on the right.
Obviously, I do not want to see Halilovic over Modric start, his games w the National team have been unimpressive. Too many failed attempts at beating multiple defenders on his own, I think he might be a half step too slow to succeed at those attempts ( I will be happy if I am proven wrong, as he looks very close to being great) Maybe bring him in late as a sub at Rw in the unlikely scenario we are down by 1 goal late in a game.
Nice to see Niko Kovac proving himself as a manager. Got Frankfurt out of relegation. 12 years of playing hard for the national team > 10 months of being overwhelmed as a manager. Always wish him the best.
It’s ironic how Ivica Olic hit the cross bar at Euro 2004 against Switzerland,Turkey Euro 2008 and then he scores the first goal against Turkey in a Euro Qualifier.
@ turbo charger – You left out the best Croatian coach of all time – Tomislav Ivic
@hodor
Remember
http://youtu.be/bBCegm-O9AY
Nothing if the international season was 40+ games a season and club was like 10 games a year then maybe it would be different. It’s understandable you break your leg you can’t play for your club for the whole season. That’s why International football is better Ronaldo has average talent around him same as Messi at international level. With Club football you just create a all star team like Real Madrid and Barcelona. International level is much more even more surprises.
remember
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXq13PjO-FQ
Or…………maybe, just maybe, the talent he has at Real Madrid is so much better than what he plays with at the national team level.
And lets stick with your theory that all he cares about is his club side because he makes his money with them…………….what would be wrong with that? Shouldn’t you be loyal to the person or company or organization that is paying you?
Once you cross that white line your playing no excuses injured or not.
^^ ^^ Ronaldo entered the world cup injured.
Ronaldo did nothing for Portugal at World Cup 2014 that’s why they went out in the group stages one man team all on his shoulder’s. Even Messi didn’t play well for Argentina for years until World Cup 2014 when he finally did something.Club and International different ball game or the players don’t want to get injured and they hold back.
Yeah dude it’s not just me and others to I hope he proves me wrong hes made his money for club and that’s all he cares about.
You don’t see him playing with the same passion, huh? Based on what? Judging it on your 60-inch TV screen?
Luka Modric has gone ally Hollywood he is all about club football now it was very evident how poorly he played at World Cup 2014 he added nothing to our team in creating opportunity’s. He just holds the ball with his possession I don’t see him playing with the same passion as he did in Euro 2008 and Euro 2012. The last 4 years for Croatia he has not played well. I would personally start Halilovic instead of him much younger quicker can set up opportunity’s and has a lethal shot on goal from distance even better shot on goal than Modric. Other Croats on Croatian forums in Croatia have also said tha Luka Modric has not played good for Croatia since Euro 2012 so it’s not just me. We need to bring on Luka Modric in the second half and get a early goal in the first half with Halilovic who has got the Spanish Liga experience who can pull the strings in midfield and create that early goal who will dribble defenders and attack not like Modric who will go slow and just hold the ball up. I’d rather fail like that than watch that boring style of the current Modric. That Turkish player who said that Czech Republic is quality must be on something for saying that or been living under a rock most of the Czech players are average and below.Also Darijo Srna’s comments about being the best ever Croatian team are hilarious the 98 team was full of zvijezde even Phil Jackson could have coached that team.
@BZ…….Ciro won two knockout stage games with that same approach, so you can’t say it wasn’t working. I would have brought Zuti in right after the second goal from France. I can’t recall who did come in (Silvio Maric??)
To be fair to Ciro, we have no clue what type of context that was said under. Was it a spur of the moment emotional response, was it said for motivating factors, etc…
@Armada…..I get your point. From a selfish standpoint, I like it in sports when guys talk shit and talk down to their opponent. Half the reason I watch UFC (otherwise known as organized after school backyard fight club) is because of the shit that goes on leading into a fight.
Cilic out at the French.
shocking if vrsaljko to Napoli is true
@ Ziva
True, it doesn’t win or lose a game, but there has been examples of teams/players running there mouths prior to a game and giving the other team some added incentive to win.
I’m not sure if you have cable TV in the fortified basement, but have you seen the recent 30 For 30, Four Falls of Buffalo?
When the Bills lost that Super Bowl to the Redskins in ’92, an assistant coach on the Bills ran his mouth about the Skins O-line and what have you. Really stupid comments – and that O-line the Skins was one of the best ever. The Bills were equally as nasty on offense though with the K-gun.
Skins beat the Bills and there is a clip in the 30 For 30 where a Skins O-lineman made a comment after the game and he said along the lines of “what that assistance coach said in the lead up to the game motivated us”
Does win or lose games, but last time we played Turkey we humiliated them in Turkey and went onto the WC. I bet some of the players on their NT still remember that. No need to add fuel to the fire.
I’m not a Pats fan, but I’m all for how Belichick runs his team.
Shut your mouth and let the play on the field do the talking. We haven’t done dick in a major tournament in a decade. We have a chance if we play well to maybe sneak up on some teams since we have a loaded team, aside from a few positions. Stay out of the media bullshit and lets do our job and get to the R16 and further.
@Zlatan even after Zuti proved him wrong with a great international career, Ciro still reduced him to an ancillary role in ’98’s knockout stages. A total joke.
official rankings of croatian coaches
blazevic
cacic
kranjcar
bilic
baric
jozic
kovac
stimac
@dejan major lazer gound this bulletin board material and posted it above, keep in mind this was after a loss::
“The performance today shows the true quality of our team… i believe it is clear going in that it is us and Spain fighting for the top two spots in the group as the elite teams. Although the teams below us are of quality and should not be underestimated, it is clear there is a difference in level between us.” – Mehmet Topal, Turksish midfielder, post game today
Ciro majstore said that Robert Zuti Prosinecki wouldn’t become a professional footballer shows he much he knows. At the 1990 FIFA World Cup Zuti was named best young player. At the 1987 FIFA World Youth Championship he was also named best player. He was also one of the main reasons why Crvena Zvezda won the Champions League. He played for Real Madrid, Barcelona, Dinamo Zagreb. Portugal or even Poland could win Euro 2016 stick to the Catholic country’s,
What did the Turkish midfielder say?!
Bulletin board material never won or lost a game.
Napoli signed Vrsaljko 15 million euros.
@armada if saying things like this is ammunition, then that quote from that Turkish Midfielder was waaay worse. (Posted above in this thread)
Stupid comment by Srna…
Aside from the Lovren situation, we were doing pretty well in terms of keeping a low profile. Why make some stupid claim and give Turkey and the Czechs ammunition going into France?
Brozo has to start. Will be a break out tourni for him. Expecting big things from vrsaljko too.
http://m.sportskeeda.com/football/skipper-srna-says-this-is-the-best-croatian-football-team-ever
Jeepers!
We also have to remember that the preparation is involved in the making of the cake, the cake didn’t just materialize, unless of course you buy the cake.
Turkey the moron wouldn’t understand this comment.
Ziva, that’s a nice explanation.
I’ll see myself out.
TORNJAK TOPAL
Listening to players and coaches after a friendly is worthless……its spin. You don’t get much out of it. You know who was a great talker after games??????? Strucnjak Stimac.
Lazio, I get your point. Let me clarify on my end. I can live with a 3-0 friendly loss where we use a specific formation to test and it doesn’t work out. I know we wont’ ever see that again or players put in that role. Also, on the other I put no faith in a 3-0 win in a friendly when the other team might be doing the same thing or holding out players. You have to view each performance individually.
^
@Ziva
So if the experiments produce good results in a friendly, we’ll know in the tournament if they really were good results? Style of play and level of play are results.
I think you gotta listen to the coaches and players after friendlies, because only they know what results they were after.
Turkey the moron said, “it’s hard for a minnow to bite a whale,” but the sad thing is, he doesn’t know what the whale represents, the tournament or a big team? if a big team, then Croatia has bitten some whales, if a tournament, then 3rd is a massive achievement for a minnow. Also gotta take into account that the Serbs are floating in the water like little pieces of shit.
an Italian signing in under “Turkey”…..
….. Not much left to say….
I’m not banning or deleting Turkey’s comments. The guy is an ass clown. Its always good to have a clown in the group.
.
@lazio……ultimately, we judge if it was a success or not at the tournament they are preparing for. I look at style of play and level of play. I don’t look at the result of a friendly. Never have.
A look at our little fatty today. Kranjcar living up to every stereotype that he eats to much…..he blew his tire today less than five minutes into the match. Just too good to be true.
On Mehmet Topal – if that’s what he said he either truly believes it OR it’s a smart mental game to start.
The Turkish soccer team is one of, if not THE best team in the Middle East. Once again, THE MIDDLE EAST!
The Euro Cup is a joke for allowing them to play in Europe. Having Israel play in Euro qualifying is for security reasons.
Turkey is not individually talented and never has been aside from a few players, Hakan Sukur who played for Inter and flopped, to leave the Turkish league.
Don’t get me wrong, teams like Turkey, Mexico, Greece have a decent league where most of their players play and they always seem to give us a hard game. Those players play better when they play for their national teams but they don’t have players as good as ours. Hard work and discipline can take you farther than talent when talent fails to be disciplined. I also think those countries have more of a unified identity than ours. We are too easily divided and conquered.
Turkey has to grind every game in every tournament. You guys have to understand – there is no one who wants to be European more than an Arab, Middle Easterner etc. Their idea of “cool” comes from Europe. Turkey is ecstatic to just be acknowledged as a “European” country able to play in these tournaments. Imagine they let Jordan play in the next Euro qualifying. It’s a big deal for these guys to play against Italy, Spain, France instead of Syria, Iraq and Iran. Turks enjoy pretending they are European because they are “better” than everyone else in the Middle East. It’s a inferiority complex.
Anyways – I’ve had this conversation with Turkish people, Arab people, Middle Easterners and friends that I have from that part of the world before – my answer every time – You are not European.
Turkey plays soccer on the simple fact that they have something to prove every game. It’s similar to when black players were first allowed in the NBA. The only difference is, black players are better regarding basketball in the NBA and Turks are shit. They just really really want to be European because it’s better than being from the Middle East.
@Ziva
Yes, coaches experiment in friendlies, but, how do we know that the experiment has been a success?
We’ve discussed this before!
Any team that says they are “elite” after losing has illusions of grandeur. They drew with Latvia twice and split with Czech Republic. Decent team that we should take seriously, yes, but not someone we should fear.
Rakitic subbed at the start of the 2nd half in the Copa Del Ray. Hoping it was a tactical change and no injury. Barcelona had a red card, so it could be tactical. 0-0 in the 82nd minute now.
“The performance today shows the true quality of our team… i believe it is clear going in that it is us and Spain fighting for the top two spots in the group as the elite teams. Although the teams below us are of quality and should not be underestimated, it is clear there is a difference in level between us.” – Mehmet Topal, Turksish midfielder, post game today
I didn’t watch the Turkey game, but I listed to it on the radio as I was driving around. For what its worth, the English announcers commented that Turkey was the better squad in the first half.
Again, nothing to gain from trying to figure out the match. I guess the first Englnad goal was a clear offsides that wasn’t called and the second goal was a fluke as the Turkish defender tripped or slipped.
What game did u watch?
cro in trouble after watching that turkey game…that turkey team looked fierece
physical, fast and skilled….if not for some lopsided refereeing, they probalby would’ve beat engalnd by 2 goals
nema na cemu
great article on the fan atmosphere at the national team practice
http://www.vecernji.hr/nogomet/euforija-je-pocela-pet-tisuca-gledatelja-na-prvom-treningu-vatrenih-1086405
idemo, thank you brother!
both teams actually played the majority of the players that are gonna feature in the France except England for wilshire dier and the back line might look different
As for turkey defense was poor, they weren’t comfortable
On the ball in the final third, I tried to watch as neutral as possible and I wasn’t impressed at all, they don’t play compact at all when they lose it and when they have it hardly no meaningful movement
We’ll just chalk it up to neither team playing at 100 percent
This is your annual reminder not to put too much stock in the friendly results. Coaches experiment and these players just finished long domestic seasons; no way they are emotionally up for friendlies like this with the Euros so close.
Why Ciro coached over Ivic? I guess some of you guys are younger, but anyone who was following Cro soccer back then knew why Ciro was the coach. Tudjman wanted it that way. It worked out at the end. Ciro was a motivator than a tactician. Boban, Asanovic, Zuti, Bilic, Jarni were all smart player and basically coaches on the field. Ciro’s biggest success was probably keeping the rest of the team from killing Suker and his attitude.
Idemo how does turkey look?
Half time
Snooze fest
1-1
Nothing from turkey yet
England goal offsides
Turkey Hart came out for no reason
The turks play England tomorrow….we play San morino… I have read that the turks are one of the most inform teams thus far heading into euro. We are preparing with some terrible teams!
how ciro coached that team over ivic still boggles the mind
ITALIA finished let alone 2nd in world cups, we even won 3rd place as well and it was an unsuccessful campaign !!! But I guess when your at the armpit of the world, you got to start somewhere!!!!
I say let’s hope Croatia can at least make it out of a group finally, before you think about the mediocracy of 3 Rd place… Lol. Who hopes to finish 3rd!!!!! Lololololo. Oh that’s right, that’s the best Croatia can do!!! Hahaha
3rd…pffff.?
Idemo
what about finish third?
I am not addressing the troll, but as an fyi a bunch of English speaking men are going to f-up Turkey tomorrow (Sunday) England vs Turkey friendly! Might be a fun scouting game to watch.
@Ziva It was my understanding that Boban had some nagging injuries throughout the tournament,but nothing he couldn’t play thru. He ended up starting in the Holland game with those same nagging injuries.
So sub Prosinecki out at 65 mins, or at the very least sub him in at the 65th minute-instead of the 90th minute.. I know these are nit picky type things, but in general I hated how Blazevic’s personal vendetta against Zuti, made it seem like he was an afterthought thru that entire era. He was still a great player just not utilized properly. Ps – I don’t really care about all this, just fun to talk about.
@Turkey
Are Serbs little pieces of shit floating in the water?
You have already answered this question, but you don’t know it.
The other constant I remember? Imagine if Ivic was the head coach.
I once killed a drifter to get an erection.
You’re saying that this team is better than 98′, WOW. I like your optimism for the future but you are picking a team that lost to Mexico and could not get out of the group stages.
Yes I know I spelt a word wrong, nego!
Stipe Miocic Croatian UFC Heavyweight champion of the GLOBE!
Love the sound of that!
Ja sam isto mislio da je ono njezin posao!
Samo ne u dupe, njego u guzicu.
Just looking at all those letter and check marks and symbols just to pronuciate a word just looks disgusting. Have you ever heard a Croatian speaks…ugghhhh the language is just ass!!!
@BZ…….Boban was subbed against France because he was hurt. And reason Zuti didn’t start against France is because he wouldn’t be able to play 90 minutes.
Jebemti picku materinu strininu u dupe tursku. Daj mi adresu pa da ti nametnem motiku tam di već nema mista. Majka ti prostitutka bila i svih u selu pojebala pa tebe stvorila. Odi u vražju mater, nikad se ne vrati. Konju glupi pa šta nemaš ništa drugo radit nego trljat si pizdu i ovdje srat. Ha turkey? Šta ćeš sada reci budala jedna. Hrvatska broj jedan. Bog i Hrvati, Nedaj Bože da ti ikad nađem jer ću ti odkinut ruke i noge od tog hrpa smeća.
Healthy Boksic would have been great, but he wasn’t healthy.
Although I don’t think Prosinecki is our all time best player(suker), there is no excuse that he didn’t start against France.
I also thought that Boban was subbed (for Maric) much too early vs France. We were reeling after Thuram tied the game, and the thing we needed most was our best Midfielder to settle things down. 3 minutes after Boban was subbed, Thuram scored his 2nd and last goal of his French career (he only scored 2 international goals…both vs us)
In summary, Blazevic was on my shit list after that game, but I didn’t have anywhere to vent my anger…which is why I love this website 🙂
ganga is spot on with his assessment!
ultimately the results paint the picture of how the team will be viewed
if croatia has a big run this year, we will look back and look at these players as tough, rugged, and talented
if they go out early we’ll say they were heartless, didn’t care for country and leaderless
none of these statements are more true than the other …but results will determine which one we believe
Thanks idemo
That’s what I figured
Paris to boulogne is all ours depending on cat of tick
But behind which net?
@ dejan
http://footballtripper.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/parc-des-princes-seating-plan.jpg
@dejan
Paris side
Anyone know which side of parc des princes will be Croatian fans?
finish 2nd and every game afterwards will be a final….finish first…..little easier
5. Boksic
1. Suker
2. Boban
3. Asanovic
4. Jarni
5. Simunic, Bilic, Stimac, Jerkan, Simic, Srna
@ Horvat Robert Prosinecki was the best ever Croatian footballer he was World Class could dribble shoot from distance could do anything on the pitch. 1. Robert Prosinecki 2 Davor Suker 3 Luka Modric 4 Zvonimir Boban that’s my top 4 best ever Croatian footballer’s.
This team is good and should advance but I feel our defense is the problem
Best Croatian team since independence.
……………Boksic…..Suker….
….Perisic….Modric..Boban….Srna
Jarni..Simunic/Kovac/Simic..Corluka
…………………Subasic….
Healthy Alen Boksic in France then we steam roll into the finals.
The above 2 comments are pretty well bang on right.Ganga is spot on that things were not a rosey heading in to France 98.People forget this ,it was some time ago.The chants against Ciro were often loud and clear.The rivalry amongst some players was strong.When it mattered ,they pulled their shit together.This is what we need to do going in to Euro shortly to do something.Thats the beauty,you just dont know.
I was in Cro in 97 & 98. Attended almost all their games – qualifiers and France. It was amazing but similar to today they had many issues. The fans/public hated ‘Ciro’ up until there success in France. Many home qualifiers crowd would chant “Ciro pederu”, Ladic was horrendous at times and booed, Suker refused to run to training grounds with team so Bilic grabbed him by the throat and threatened him etc… All was forgotten after their success in France so yes I believe this team today is as good if not better than 98 on paper but if they don’t have any success as a team then co comparison. Bog!
@Turkey
Serbs are little pieces of shit floating in the water.
The problem with Serbs though is that they wanted to float in the water as one big log of shit, but Slovenians and Croatians didn’t want to be a part of said log, henceforth Serbs are floating in the water like little pieces of shit!
You know it’s true Turkey?
I think we have more midfield talent and depth today vs. ’98. Arguably the best in the tournament.
Mandzukic is better than what many other teams in the Euros have, but certainly no Suker.
Defense… No comparison since this is our Achilles heel. The ’98 back line is not given the credit they deserve. Despite memories of all the great goals, the squad was known for playing solid defense and hitting teams on the counter.
If this team makes the final/wins we’ll have lots to debate. In the end it’s all about what they do in a handful of games that will determine how history judges this team.
I made the anonymous comment, hey, the other anonymous comment is really good, I’ll claim that one as well!
Can’t believe you guys forget to mention Dario Simic and Rober Kovac when talking about defenders, two of our very best and underrated by far. Also , please don’t be so high on mandzucic , I have no confidence in him at all . He cannot create any shots on his own, he’s constantly wrestling and causing trouble , always a red card possibility. We need our midfielders to shoot much more, instead of constantly forcing it to mandzucic so it can deflect off of him and go in. I hope I’m wrong about him, but his qualifying campaign was an absolute joke
You found Serbia because of Slovenia and Croatia though, remember Serbs wanted to remain Yugoslavians. I’m pretty sure the jocksniffers of Greeks were still calling themselves Yugoslav in 2000?
Do you believe Djokovic supporters wave their Serbian flags because they want too, no no moron, they’re waving them because we made them wave their Serbian flags, they’re waving them against their will? Serbs are special for the simple fact that even when they win, they lost!
Ooooooooooiooo. So sorry, we know what happened after the beloved ’98 team in 2000!!!! Lolololo ok what about 2010?????
I found Serbia but where’s hrvatska???
Ohhh Stephy, just trying to make the minnows understand that Croatia isn’t what yooz think it is. I just hope they bring a few soccer balls for their practices instead of cabbage. I’ll be back a little later in the tournament. Just to prove my point. 18 years ago….OMG!!! So funny!!!
Let’s compare the current Croatia team to 2000 euro squad!!??
Obviously this team is nowhere near as good as 98, or 96 for that matter, ridiculous comparison tbh..
^ ^
Right, forgot about that..
tore knee ligaments in a friendly in January
just realized how nice it would be if we won the group,
runner up plays winner of group of italy Belgium Sweden roi
Speaking of LB’s where’s Josip Pivaric?
Has he fallen off the radar or is he hurt?
Whay you have to love about Croatians is that we are a country of 4.3 million people and yet set our standards so high.
Pause and look at the neighboring countries around us. Over the years, we have produced so much more talent.
Ante B is right – with a few breaks, Croatia could have already had a World and European Cup.
…and the rest of you are correct about the time being now. Kovacic and Halilovic will be more ready in Russia, but our current stars will be less.
Don’t forget the major factor of Croatia not producing talent during the war. Kovacic (and even he came from Austria) and Brozovic are the only two players born between 1991 – 1995 that you can consider stars.
Croatia had a five year gap with little talent produced. Makes you think what could have been.
Some nice chatter here, boys.
Having some insightful back and forth is getting me excited for next month.
It seems like we constantly produce nice midfielders and decent strikers here and there. I’m waiting for that next great group of defenders. Since the days of Euro 2008 and having R. Kovac and Simunic in their primes, along with a young Corluka who was a monster as a RB, once upon a time.
I’m hoping guys like Caleta-Car, Jedvaj and Vrsaljko stay healthy, get better and cement their spots with the NT.
But jesus fucking christ, do we have any promising LB’s in Croatia? How’s Borna Sosa panning out at Dinamo? Read good things about that kid.
Prosinečki plays in the second half for France we beat them and take down Brazil to schock the world. ZDS!
’98 was immortal.
But this crew is tough and current euro teams are way weaker.
Russia ’18 could be our time.
Nice one guys. Good one BZ
@ Turkey you know what I love about you coming to our site?
There is something about us that bugs you so much you just can’t stand it. Knowing that you are putting time and effort in visiting croatiansports pleases me greatly. You are welcome to keep reading and getting educated.
You only wish to have a culture as beautiful as ours. I know you keep coming on hoping to see naked women but your on the wrong site man. Your women are on wrapped-in-turbanwear.com
So I won’t be giving you anymore attention and I suggest the rest of you do the same. Ignore the idiot.
As for the current team it’s a tournament. It only takes a few games for a team to click, it’s all about timing. If these boys “click” let me tell you there’s enough talent to be walking out as Euro 2016 champions! The first 3 games will show what kind of team we have at France.
There were too many leaders in 98 versus what we have today.
It’s also not as simple as comparing each player at each position and scoring it in a one-to-one fashion.
For example, one Šuker is probably worth more than three or four players at other positions. He was a world class striker. You could surround one Šuker and one Boban with several average but decent role players and it would still be better than having a team with slightly better players in the remaining positions of the field.
Our current team is good, but there is still too much of a quality gap between our backline in ’98 to what we have today (along with Šuker)… couple that with the leadership factor which will squeeze out the maximum potential of that 98 team and it’s hard for the current team to match up.
However, it is a short tournament and we DO have sone serious quality. It’s not impossible for this team to get hot and put in a streak of wins and find themselves in the semis.
Our backline in 98 was better than our current squad.
The midfield for both generations are comparable (equal)
Suker > Mandzukic.
Boban was a leader, Simic was a steady and tough right back, Bilic and Stimac were both hard nosed and very tough guys to play against, Jarni was a threat offensively, Soldo and Stanic were irreplaceable workers, Asanovic had skill/vision and he could fuck you up if he got pissed….Suker was very very gifted and Vlaovic knew his role.
do we have role players, tough guys, a LEADER?
we have Corluka, Vida and possibly Strinic that we can say are solid…but intimidating and tough??? I’d say Jedvaj is tough but he’s not a standard player
we have a talented midfield but is the chemistry there? who leads by example when we need it most? who’s willing to go and stick a finger in someone’s face and say “fuck you…and I’m gonna hit you harder next time”? who is the beast of the team….like so many teams have?
@ ante b
it got messed up
i don’tknow why but my comp keeps changing my attempts to type
strinic < jarni
and correcting it as strinic < stanic
with the strinic < jarni my official total clocks in as
98 team: 2 '16 team: 7,
Here you go boys….enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4dl1uVM41Y
Nitro, why did you leave out Jarni?
Rakitic over Asanovic? Ehhhhhh. That one is highly debatable. When playing for the repka, I’d take Aljosa over Ivane.
Kalinic compared to Suker….lol
not sure why this gets messed up
but its supposed to read
strinic stanic
mandzukic > vlaovic
brozovic < prosinecki
this is clearer
comp time
subasic > ladic
vrsaljko/srna > bilic
corluka > stimac
vida = soldo
strinic stanic
modric > boban
rakitic > asanovic
brozovic vlaovic
kalinic < suker
cacic = ciro (overrated)
one more
cacic = ciro
it is clear today’s cro team is much better than the ’98 team which had multiple bits of good luck… producing an unrealistically good result (terrible weak group with jamaica and japan, flukey penalty awarded vs romania, flukey red card given to germany, playing a holland team that didn’t care)
comp time
subasic > ladic
vrsaljko/srna > bilic
corluka > stimac
vida = soldo
strinic stanic
modric > boban
rakitic > asanovic
brozovic vlaovik
kalinic < suker
You can’t compare previous generations and think if this player would play over this player. Styles, fitness, tactics all change.
What I have seen from guys like Stanic, Soldo and Asanovic when they were with the repka, there is no chance I would take them out for any of the current guys if you base their play with the repka. Forgot what these guys did or didn’t do at the club level, all I care about is the national team.
I love that it was pre social media.
For those of us that were there it was absolute magic!
I was 19 and in Europe for 2 1/2 months.
My only regret was that I left Paris after the semi’s for Zagreb and didn’t stick around for the 3rd place game.
Was way too gutted and just wanted to get out of there at that point.
My train to Zagreb was full of Hrvati that were scraping by on just about nothing. Singing and chanting on the train once we crossed the border was unforgettable!
Easily some of the best days of my life.
1998 was a perfect storm for that tournament, team and country. From the team on the field to the atmosphere in the stands three years removed from the end of the war at their very first World Cup without any of the drama of today…and also before social media. If it wasn’t for Thuram and we made it past France, Brazil wouldn’t have stopped us. 2008 came close though.
Forgot to mention, goalie & bench go to ’98 also.
To make it fun I will use an actual lineup for comparison…I’d say in the 442 lineup vs France: Modric/Rakitic/Perisic/mandzukic crack that lineup in place of Asanovic/Soldo/Stanic/Vlaovic
That gives the edge to ’98.
I’d take Suker/Vlaovic over Mandzukic /Kalinic
I might take ’16 midfield of Rakitic/Modric/Perisic/Brozo
Over Boban/soldo/Asanovic/Stanic.
I’d take Jarni/Bilic/Simic/Stimac over say Vrsaljko/Vida/Corluka/Srna
Armada, his last post is bang on!
@Poglavnik
With that 3-5-2 formation I doubt anyone from today would make it in that squad. Boksic would have been in for Vlaovic anyways if he wasn’t injured.
6 AM watch party Sacramento Croatian Extravaganza. Should be an awesome time.
@Ravni Kotari
Sometimes I think so too but ask yourself which current players would you squeeze into the ’98 starting 11.
Maaaybe Rakitic for Stanic/Vlaovic?
Modric for Asanovic?
Based on National Team performances so far those are big maybes for me.
23 days…
Can’t wait to be drunk as fuck at 6am on a Sunday morning!
Individual talent better in 2016, bigger balls in 1998. Would be hard for them to repeat ’98 without muda.
I just love to watch the Vatreni, can’t wait,after all the talk I believe that what form the players are in during tournament time is a big percentage of what happens during the tournament,what do you reckon?
BUDALA ^^^^^
I’m going to lay cool for you specs for a while. I want to read the conceded comments of how great yooz are. And then during the EURO, I’ll come back as yooz loose!!!!!
That ’98 generation was a once in a lifetime type of situation. Those guys came from a different time and different system. That mixed with the feeling in the country at the time made for a very unique situation. Guys really played for the zastava and dres. It’s just a different situation now.
In terms of comparing the teams from different generations, that 98 team was solid on all sides of the ball. The 2008 team comes closest and then this side.
I think our best team since 98 was the team in 2008 – in terms of players and results. If it weren’t for a few mistakes during Euro 2008 and maybe if we had a healthy Dudu, we would of finished top 3, no question at that tournament.
In terms of this generation (Rakitic, Srna, Modric, Mandzukic, Perisic all in their primes) this well in fact may be there last chance to put together a memorable tournament before they all get on the wrong side of 30 or are close to 30 in Russia.
Ziva, let’s hope the team makes a step and the fans respond. All I can say is if you’re in the stadium you better be singing and not eating hotdogs. 😉
This topic is worthless until this current generation actually does something. The 98 team had some expectations based on 96. Plus, there was a good vibe in the country and around the team going into 98. Complete opposite now.
The public in Cro is going to watch and will get behind the team if they start winning, but the mood around the team and public opinion in not ideal and nowhere close to 98 levels. A bad result to start the tourney will create a more toxic environment and the public is just waiting to jump on the team because of the negativity around Mamic and Puppet Suker.
Winning cures all ills. So, if we produce results, the ill will around Puppet Suker and Mamic will be minimal while the tourney lasts and will return once we are eliminated.
This is sport and anything can happen, so I never rule anything out. But, the circumstances around the team are not ideal.
Either way, Cro is at 25-1 odds now. I got them earlier at 30-1 to win it and 15/8 to finish 2nd in the group.
damn this turkey guys is really upset for some reason…he has to come on a Croatian sports website to talk shit to make himself feel better…dude wtf has turkey every done in any sport..
Sorry turkey, it’s always fun talking to you. And educational. But I have to go to mosque, it’s jummah
Be quiet turkey….
We are coming for you…
I’m pretty sure Turkey showed you a nice spanking in 2008!!! Hahahahahahah. And then Ecuador hahahahaha also 2 little minnows! I guess that makes Croatia little pieces of shit just floating in the water!!!!
Za Dom….oh god!!! You guys still chanting that shit!! Wow it’s 2016!!!!!!
Hahahahahaag. Crnkovic, boy do you ever have resentment for you Vetreni!!!! All this talk about talent and have won NOTHING, but a continual celebration for a measly 3rd place finish!!!!!! Oh poor poor Croatia. All bark but no bite. Little minnows swimming in the Adriatic with sharks everywhere!!! Ha hahahah. You might be able to tie Spain, or Italy or Germany etc, but you will never have depth, talent and more importantly BRAINS as a coach to win something. Suker the sucker!!!
Fuck moldova
Do we need another vukovar to get our shit together? We need to stop reading the script and write our own. Why can’t this generation be the best in the world? Why can’t brekalo be better than hazard, coric a zidane, halilovic a david silva/ messi, pjaca a Thierry Henry, kovacic a world class player, jedvaj the new maldini, caleta car a kompany…modric, rakitic, vlasic a romario, balic a pirlo…why can’t “little croatia” win the World Cup? Why can’t Croatians say “fuck it, we have the sea, we have the mountains, we have history, we’ve tasted all that is good, and all that is bad in this world. No country is more beautiful than ours, and ours is as fucked up like everywhere else, and we want to win, because we want to. Fuck Germany, fuck England, fuck Italy, fuck spain. Fuck brazil. Let them try and beat us, we will pull the string out of their hat. Because we enjoy it, who cares?” As far as I’m concerned no team is better than us, until they beat us. If they do? Then fair enough. All you guys going to France, I wish I could come as well, please look after each other, have one pint for me, and sing till the stadium collapses. I’m now going into a month of meditation, fasting and prayer…for victory. Za dom…………
Comparisons are useless, stop,living in the past….anything can happen. David vs Goliath? What was Germany’s line up against croatia in 98? Prosinecki and boban and suker and jarni were as good as any in the world, if you look at them play now you will be shocked at how skilful that generation was. Really shocked. Those players were produced in Yugoslavia. Along with savicevic and stojkovic etc in terms of talent that Yugoslavia team could have rivalled the best teams of all time, like brazil 1970. In terms of sheer talent. But what about team spirit? What about love of nation? What about point to prove? ……….one thing about croatia 1998 team was that they were horrible athletes, asanovic used to get space by elbowing people, prosinecki had to do 5 drag backs to go past someone because he was so slow, suker ran like a one legged horse, bilic moved like Frankenstein….etc…but there was genius there …and heart and pride. Completely ridiculous to say that croatia will never be better than that. Why not? Because we live in the age of the internet? Where no one talks to their neighbours and national pride is only for bitter diaspora romantics? Anything can happen, people have to make it happen, then it will happen
I don’t know, what what do you reckon.
I think they are good, what do you reckon?
i didn’t vote, so i can’t have an opionion
I voted NO, 5 times!