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Croatia 1: 2 Spain

June 7th, 2006 | By: Soze | 29 Comments »

OK, here it comes. Ready? My opinion which is usually refuted by the “real” Croatians. I enjoyed the game. I thought our boys played well against a team that is considered one of the favourites of the WC. There, I said it….

For 62 minutes, we held back a team that is, by all accounts, supposed to be much better than us. And even then, the goal was realized by sheer luck of the rebound. So at this point since Croatia was leading 1:0 through a Spanish own goal, I consider the score a push…0:0.

The players today had some flashes of that ‘technical’ football that we play, as well as some very nice close ball control and quick passing. In the first part of the game we saw a new player join us on the pitch. His name is Niko Kranjcar..heard of him? Today, he decided to include himself in the game and made some nice distributing passes to Prso and Klasnic. It is unfortunate, though, that neither of them could put any real pressure on the Spanish keeper.

The Spaniard that seemed to constantly be giving our defense trouble was Joaquim and I though that apart from a few mistakes that any defensive team could make, we handled the pressure very well. I think Šimunić needs to be taken out of play though. He is slow and compensates his lack of pace with constant fouls. My dad made a prediction that he will receive a red card within the first two games. I don’t think he is wrong.

I am thinking that this defensive game play and lack of attacking was done on purpose. Perhaps trining for the style of play awaiting us from Brazil. But the truth of that matter is that goals can only be scored through attack, and we surely lacked that in this game. A few good chances but nothing concrete to show that we can do it.

Pletikosa looked uncomfortable for the first 25 minutes or so, but seemed to find some stride for the rest of the game….especially while saving a spot kick in the 74th minute. He was especially lucky in around the 20th minute when he was cought off his line but the shot struck the goal post.

I will say this. Whatever anyone thinks our teams chances are, one thing is certain…they got us to the WC. This makes them one of the 32 best teams in the world. Not bad. I criticized their play over the last two friendlies but now is the time to bring out my Croatian flags, scarf, jersey and hat and go out and show love for my country that is competing on the world stage against the best. No matter how they do, I am proud to be a Croat and will defend our players and their chances against anyone who oposes my opinion that Croatia will win the WC. We have to be proud no matter what the outcome.

Tags: Croatia, Friendly, Spain

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Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 29 comments.

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By catenaccio | June 8th, 2006 at 1:37 am

What do you mean we have to be proud no matter what the outcome…if they lose to Japan and Aussies in the same manner we lost to Equador 2002, screw ‘em

Posted from United States

By catenaccio | June 8th, 2006 at 1:40 am

Oops I misspelled Ecuador

Posted from United States

By richard | June 8th, 2006 at 3:47 am

Thanks for the game breakdown soze as I haven’t found a decent
report on the match.Simunic is
dodgy but tokic and tomas are
worse unfortunately.I’m hugely
patriotic but I’m starting to feel less confident after the last 3 matches, almost resigned
to defeat which I normally never am.I watched the live chat
from our fans during the game and it was horrible to see how they rated the team.We don’t seem to be creating many chances
up front to combat the frail
defence we’re seeing of late.
Is Klasnic , balaban and olic
up to the task? I’m still a
patriot but going into a tournament on the back of 3 poor
games doesn’t give great hopes
of getting out of the group stage.Regardless of cico talking
us up after all 3 games.Does he only have plans for the 3 teams in our group? Cause that’s what he says every time, that he’s only planned for brazil, aussie, japan…He has an excuse for every defeat.Lets be
honest, will we really win games
playing like we have the last 3
games? I’m asking because I haven’t seen enough but what I’ve read, alot, doesn’t make me
think so.Sorry but maybe we just aren’t that good.Defending Croatia has got me into alot of trouble in the past and I’ll defend them again but I hope they play real football and make
us proud.Unlike the equador and
swiss games of recent times.

Posted from New Zealand

By red | June 8th, 2006 at 4:29 am

i was at the game in geneva and like soze said we played good football.
i just dont understand why tudor is a “defensive midfielder” and against such quick opponments like brazil or spain ,we cant put klasnic and prso together , they are soooooooooooo slow! put prso and olic or klasnic and olic…
stipe had a good game, but i think that when modric came , we played our best football, the kid is amazing.
r.

Posted from Switzerland

By Denis Susac | June 8th, 2006 at 6:40 am

hey guys good news!!! Finaly the friendly games are over and we dont have to look for free live video streams so we can watch…anyways Croatia, I hope we did good, cuz I couldnt watch the game cuz I couldnt find a live feed, i payed 4 dollars with paypal to watch the game online I got ripped off, all those english sites that have live streams DONT BUY THE MEMBERSHIPS FROM THEM its a tottaly useless, all they do is give you free links to free live TV sites, there is no quality at all..

Anyways I think this was a positiv thing for croatia, I dont want hem to go over confident to the game againt brazil, I I tink croatia will do well in germany because croatia does good when it counts, cuz croatian know brazil is good thats why we will try super hard, and I think that we could snach a win, it would be great,,,I would probably go crazy, and cry for three days if we beat them..I hope we play smart, hard, and fast,and of course with skill, Im a bit nervouse with our forwards, I wish we had a forward superstar someone like roney, or ronaldo, or suker..so we can win more games, because our forwards sometimes do REALLY GOOD, and sometimes they are useless, we need someone consisten, someone like me, Im perrty sure you guys will see me in 2010, I will be the next superstar forward so remeber this name, Denis Susac..lol

Ok bye

Posted from United States

By Marco | June 8th, 2006 at 12:15 pm

i like the the 3 strikers idea vs brazil or any teaam in fact prso olic and klasnic will be very hard to stop for any team . im predicting a shock result in that game dont count out the vatreni guys!!
neka pati koga smeta hrvatska je prvak svjeta!!

Posted from Canada

By Ivica | June 8th, 2006 at 1:23 pm

I saw the game yesterday and I have to say that both teams did not play their best which is just normal a few days before the wc starts. Anyway we really could have won but got the goal in the last minute and lost 2:1. But I think we can make it to the Halbfinals and then everyting is possible. Greetings from Austria

Posted from Austria

By Kapcro | June 9th, 2006 at 2:24 am

Good post, Soze. I think the game was encouraging because of the good playmaking by Croatia against a contending team. In a real game the intensity level would have been much higher on our part. The last goal by Spain was at a point when the game was pretty well over. Neither side throughout risked an injury this close to the start of the WC, especially later in the game. The game showed the team was communicating well and that Croatia is capable of excellent offensive attacks. Their mindset should be good going into the Brazil game. I agree with being proud of Croatia’s accomplishment as part of 32 teams in the WC. As I posted earlier in the month to answer a mindless comment made about Croatia, that, yes we may lose three games and be out. If that happens Croatians will be thankful for the effort put forth and be proud of the team, but there is also the distinct possibilty of some great games where Croatia moves into an even more elite group. For a small nation we’ve proven our mettle and will show more of it. Bring on Brazil, the world’s best, we look forward to it. We’re behind our boys all way.

Posted from United States

By soze | June 9th, 2006 at 2:55 am

Frankopan> no, I pinched the pic off of Index.hr. Great pic though huh?..I wish I had a higher quality one.

Richard> I agree with your opinion of Tokic and Tomas, but at this point we have no one else. Cico has made up his mind and that’s what we got. I also agree with Kapcro that our mindset in a real game will be stronger and hopefully our effort will be as well….We all know the old addige. You’re only as good as the team you play against. How else do you explain beating Italy and Argentina, tying with Brazil and then loosing to Poland and tying with Iran…weird.

Red> So cool, at the game huh?..I could not see from the feed I was watching..were there many Croats there and did they whistle at Kranjcar?

Kapcro> is the e-mail you put in with your posts the right one to contact you on?..

By LuDiLo | June 9th, 2006 at 3:27 am

*Wipes away a tear* Inspirational words Soze! Anyone got Cico’s email? Denis, if we win i’ll cry with you.

Posted from Australia

By soze | June 9th, 2006 at 3:32 am

Lol LuDiLo, I’m sure alot of people would love to have a few words with Cico right now to ask WTF he’s thinking.

By hoce li nece | June 9th, 2006 at 4:51 am

Read my lips Cro 2 Brazil 1

Posted from Australia

By richard | June 9th, 2006 at 5:07 am

I just saw the 3 minute reel and
feel a bit better, at least we
created a few chances.Why did
bosnjak come on and not Olic
though? Olic has the speed we
need and he needed more game time than any other striker after being out so long.Maybe
Simunic should make way for
tudor back in a central role, I’m really afraid of Simunic
costing us a game.Remember when
Vieri out jumped him in the last
WC, he’s 6′5 for god sakes.Tokic
can’t play, Buljat had been the
form defender in domestic football and he’s the future.He
hasn’t blooded any new defenders
and a few of theses guys are close to the end.Scary.Do you
guys visit the http://www.jadransport.org/ site? Good local perspective.
We have good quick strikers
coming through at least, Josip
Tadic is a superstar who should be close after this tournament.
And Danijel Pranjic maybe should be there now with Eduardo
Da Silva.So the future looks
good .I have faith in Klasnic
and Prso , surely they’ll
produce a few goals for us.And
Modric needs to be there to
support krajncar, he can’t be
the only creative force through
the middle he’s not fast enough.
He needs a link man just behind him and Modric should have a
free role to link with the wingers from central midfield.
I’m sure cico will pick the
right team, and remember, we’re
supposed to lose against Brazil
anyway so if we play poorly or
players don’t measure up it can
be saved for the 2 crucial games. I’m already nervous, can’t wait.Quit work yesterday,
cited football fever.

Posted from New Zealand

By Milan | June 9th, 2006 at 5:22 am

Soze thanks for providing a link for the extended highlights of the Croatia vs Spain game. After seeing the result I did lose a lot of confidence in our side, I even believed that we would crash out of the group stages. But now after seeing most of the game i was impressed with Croatias preformance. We had a goal from Klasnic disallowed though to me looked fine. Pletikosa was strong in the goals for most of the game which was a surprise to me. He saved a penalty then saved the follow up shot.
Now I have a rekindled Sprit and feel that yes we can do well in this world cup.
And again cheers Soze for that quality statement.

Posted from Australia

By Denis Susac | June 9th, 2006 at 5:47 am

WORLD CUP IS ALMSOT HERE!!!!

WOW, I have an amizingly good feeling about the brazil game I dont know why, but i think we we’ll win it..Croatia loves playing brazil, if you look closly croatia likes to show off a little, the stadium is gonna be packed with Croatians my cousin Mika Skoro is gonna be there too.. I predict Croatia 3-1

11th Minut:
Goal One by, Ivica Olic Header, awkward goal but its a goal so who cares, the Croatian Fans go crazy!!
Croatia vs Brazil 1-0

17th Minute:
Goal Two by, Ronaldinho, impressive goal..croatias simunic made a mistake but croatia still keeps fighting..
Croatia vs Brazil 1-1

43th Minute
Goal By Dario Srna, Hard shot from far away on the ground surprising Brazilian Goaly Dida..Croatia fans Go crazy, one of the croatian Fans runs into the field, he gets cought and cuffd and goes to jail..
Croatia vs Brazil 2-1

Half Time

Second half starts, croatian fans, scream Hrvatska..Hrvatska ..Hrvatska..

Substitution: Klasnic IN Olic OUT
73rd Minute
Goal by Klasnic, nice goal..just like the once he scores when he plays with his team werder bremen..
He takes off his shirt runs into the croatia crowd, and jums in…CROATIANS GO WILD, Denis Susac at home starts running around the house, and tell his friends “in your face biatch!!”
Croatia vs Brazil 3-1

The final Wistle Blows, a superb win for croatia beating world champs brazil.

Posted from United States

By Tome | June 9th, 2006 at 6:29 am

I too feel a little better after watching the 3 minute replay reel. We had some qualtiy chances but having said that, it looks like we gave Spain a lot of room to operate and create chances.

Richard> Our entire defence scares the hell out of me. I’m not sure who should start on defence. We’re just not fast enough getting to the ball or we’re not communicating well or we don’t read plays well(I’m guessing its a combination of the three).I guess Simic and Robert Kovac are givens, after that its a role of the dice. Hopefully Cico will finally put Tudor back there with those two. As for Tomas, Simunic and Tokic -Cico would be crazy to start any of those three.

Getting from the UEFA qualifications to the World Cup takes about 2 years and in that time, players that played their hearts out for the country and we relied upon have gotta a bit slower and older. Thats what seems to have happened with our defence. There leagues, age and injuries may have caught up to some of them.

Anyway, as Soze said,Critiqueing and criticizing is over, I can barely wait till Fridays first match, it may be Germany vs Costa Rica but it signifies the start of the best event the world has to offer!!!!!! YUPPEEEEEEEEEEE …. I think all our hearts bleed for Croatia but its also the time to see the best talent the rest of world has. It should be good!!!!!

I expect Croatia to do well, let the real games BEGIN …..YEAHHHHHHHH

Bog

Posted from Canada

By Bigone | June 9th, 2006 at 8:11 am

I too was feeling a bit down about Croatia’s hopes after the last three games. But they were only friendlies and they don’t count for shit. Half our first team was substituted in every game so who really cares about the results.
Look at what we have acheived in qualifying….undefeated, and we beat Sweden, home and away. We drew with Brazil and bloody beat Argentina. When the real games come around, mark my words, we will be ready for the world. Why do I have such confidence?………..because we are HRVATI, THAT’S WHY!!!!
Passion and Pride will get us past the group stage, you will see.

Posted from Australia

By richard | June 10th, 2006 at 12:02 am

Hey guys, 2 good games today.
Poland result shocked me a bit,
friendlies didn’t do much for
them .I’ll be more interested in
how Sweden go tomorrow, a good
result might put the Croats mind
back on the job.Can’t wait to see the starting lineup against
Brazil, Cico says he wants to
attack them so lets hope there’s
room for Modric and another
striker at some time during the game.We are generally slow
starters to every competition
and hit top gear in our 2nd game,so that suits nicely.But
maybe brazil won’t be 100% first
up so who knows?? Hopefully Japan and Aussie will play out a
dull draw and going into the last game we’ll see them both on
a point and us on 3 or 4.Most of
our squad is German based too and our supporters will destroy
all others with may thousands expected to follow the
team around, unlike japorea where the same 50 spectators
were on screen every 5 minutes.
I love being a Croat when our fans start singing and that might be enough to carry us through.Being a fiery kiwi/croat there’s really one game we must win and I might find an aussie pub for that
special occasion with some of my boys.Can’t wait.

Posted from New Zealand

By richard | June 10th, 2006 at 12:07 am

Bummer, I just heard Olic is
out of the first game at least.
Now I really wish Eduardo was
there and so does Cico I’m
sure.

Posted from New Zealand

By red | June 10th, 2006 at 9:40 pm

olic fo sho will not play against brazil, srna ….we dont know…

Posted from Poland

By Kapcro | June 11th, 2006 at 12:30 am

Sorry Soze, been offline with the DSL. yes, on the Email. Go ahead.

Posted from United States

By Korculanac | June 11th, 2006 at 1:53 am

Apparently, Olic has been cleared to play according to the World Cup website…

Croatia received a welcome boost ahead of Tuesday’s FIFA World Cup™ Group F opener against five-time champions Brazil on Saturday when it was revealed striker Ivica Olic would be fit to play.

The 26-year-old CSKA Moscow forward had been suffering from a right thigh injury but returned to full training on Saturday.

“I think he is now at 80 per cent and he will be available for the Brazil match,” said coach Zlatko Kranjcar.

“Olic participated in the whole training session today (Saturday) and the shooting session at the end. It seems to be going well, even if he didn’t put too much pressure on his right leg.”

Olic, who had a serious knee injury last August, is vital to Kranjcar’s plans as he prefers to pair him up front with the veteran Dado Prso, in preference to Ivan Klasnic.

After the Brazil clash Croatia meet Japan in Nuremberg on 18 June and finally Australia in Stuttgart on 22 June.

Posted from Australia

By Ivica | June 11th, 2006 at 1:53 pm

yeah denis susac lol…im gonna be the next cristiano ronaldo but in austria …anyway let the real games begin and lets hope for Croatia to win against Brazil even though we all have to be realistic its gonna be damn hard…if we get one point we can live with that but with a win all croatian people everywhere over the world would just go crazy!!!!!!!!!!

Posted from Austria

By Euler | June 12th, 2006 at 5:47 am

I hope our game will have at least 5 goals. I hate those 1:0 results… who will be the winner??? (Darth Vader theme)

May the BEST team win!!! he he he

By Zoro | June 13th, 2006 at 5:34 pm

Ne znam zasto hrvati ni su uzeli MArka Marushica u reprezentacii

Posted from The Former Yugoslav Republic Of Macedonia