Davor Vugrinec not going to Germany

Just a point of correction. Davor Vugrinec does not play for Osijek, nor did Osijek finish in second place this season in Croatia. That distinction belongs to Rijeka - the same team that Vugrinec plays for.

Posted from  Canada

Oh my goodness, how did I mess that up? Thanx for the correction and I will edit the above article. I had Osijek on my mind for another reason.

But what do you think about Vugrinec not going to Germany?…

Thanx again.

Playing for Rijeka in a somewhat weak Croatian League and playing on the National team at the world stage are two very different situations. I agree not taking him to Germany is a good thing. Let some of these young guys gain the experience even if it means watching from the bench, especially when you have a tough qualifying campaign starting in October. Some of these veterans you see in Germany are gonna step down from the National team after the World Cup.

Posted from  United States

Yeah, I agree. That was the right call. Let the kids play and gain valuable experience. Vuga did play in the 2002 WC but pretty much disappeared from bonafide soccer until he resurfaced a few months ago in Croatia. There is no point in basing call-ups on flashes of good play. Besides, Kranjcar was right when he stated that calling some players up at this late stage could possibly jeopardize the vibes and atmosphere on the team.

Posted from  Canada

I agree w. everyone. Otto Baric was a great example of someone who based his call-ups on the media’s interpretation of good play (anybody remember Bjelica at Euro 2004?). Kranjcar doesn’t do that - he has a plan and it’s worked so far. Let the young kids get a taste … Modric will be invaluable to the national team moving forward.

Posted from  Canada

Mike> True that, but what do you think about nepotism that Cico is showing. With the way Niko Kranjcar has played so inconsistently over the past year, do you think he would have been called to Germany if his father was not in charge?..

Modric needs more experience before he is valuable to the team. He himself said that he was nervous to play against Argentina.

[...] “It’s 1998 all over again, when I wasn’t called up by Miroslav Blažević” said Davor Vugrinec upon hearing that he will not be travelling to Germany this summer. “I deserved the call up then, and I deserve one now”. [...]

Posted from  United States

well, I think this is a hard decision..you want them all to be there but there is a limited number of players you can take with you.. I think the reason Cico is not taking him with them is because he doesnt want to mess up what he has started. Everything is going too well for croatia now. And taking other players is just to risky, because if croatia loses in the first round because of a player he put in the last second, it will ruin the coaches reputation. By putting him in the last second, I mean he putting Vugrenec in the squad before the upcoming deadline. Its just too risky. But you never know he could be the person who would take us to the Finals..I guess you cant stop destiny. Hopefully Cicos decision is the right one.

Posted from  United States

Soze - this nepotism thing is making me a little crazy but I understand what everyone is saying. I’d like to believe that Niko is the “best” player in the Croatian league .. many players who play with him have been quoted as saying the same thing. Apparently major clubs in Europe are looking to sign him. The amount of noise around this guy is incredible … he’s apparently the “next big thing” so how can the “next big thing” sit on a bench and not play? He’s gotta be out there in the first 11. I personally think Cico has handled the Niko thing pretty well. Modric is going to be a star (I would be nervous playing against Argentina as well) and I can’t wait until he’s out there creating w. Niko even if it’s in a defensive role. Boban, Prosinecki and Asanovic somehow figured it out but for whatever reason, this generation can’t have two creative players out there in the current formation!? They will figure it out and we will all be better for it.

Posted from  Canada

I agree, Croatia has played with pretty much the same squad throughout the WC Qualifyers. Vugrinec hasn’t played a part in the campaign and doesn’t deserve a place. Like Cico said, we already have two players in Niko & Luka who play in his position anyway. The young Cro’s need to gain experience and this will benefit the NT in the future.

Posted from  Australia