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USA Toaday’s spotlight on Croatia

May 10th, 2006 | By: Soze | 8 Comments »

This article from yesterday’s USA today is funny on two levels. First, their ‘Spotlight on Croatia’ section. To make so many mistakes in such a little write up shows the journals dedication (or lack of) to the facts.

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Spotlight on Croatia

After a stunning third-place finish in the 1998 World Cup, Croatia did not survive pool play in 2002. But after winning European Group 8 qualifying with a 7-0-3 mark and outscoring opponents 21-5, the Croatians are a solid choice to advance out of pool play and become a possible second-round opponent for the USA.

The coach who guided Croatia through World Cup qualifying is Zlatko Kranjcar Sr., who took charge of an aging roster in 2005. His son, Zlatko Kranjcar Jr., is a key cog in a playmaking position behind two strikers in Croatia’s 3-4-1-2 alignment.

Striker Dado Prso led the team with five goals in qualifying, and Srna Babic had four. Brothers Niko and Robert Kovac are experienced midfielders.
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First of all, our coaches name is not Zlatko Kranjcar Sr., it is just Zlatko Kranjcar. He does not have a son, nor do we have a player, by the name of Zlatko Kranjcar Jr., it is Niko Kranjcar.

Dado Prso did not lead the team with five goals in qualifying, he shares that distinction with Darijo Srna. I love how they grouped ‘Srna Babic’ as one player with four goals. Marko Babic, from what I can remember only scored 1 goal during qualifying. Well, at least they got the names of the Kovac brothers right.

But my favourite part of this article is the optimism expressed in the article by suggesting that USA will meet Croatia in the second round of play. This would mean they would have to finish first in a group that has Italy and the Czech Republic seeing as Croatia is expected to finish second in their group behind Brazil.

OK then, Good luck with that.

Tags: Croatia, Dado Prso, Niko Kranjcar, USA Today, Zlatko Kranjcar

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Comments

By Futahaguro | May 10th, 2006 at 12:12 pm

At least they are actually covering the World Cup. Can’t say that about plenty of other newspapers out there. The dude is probably some rookie out there who was stuck with soccer coverage:)

Posted from United States

By Tomislav | May 10th, 2006 at 9:38 pm

Soze,

I have a feeling Croatia will do there up most to come First in the group just to avoid playing Italy. I believe Croatia will pull it off.

I Believe Brazil will have a bad time at the cup this time around and if they do get second spot and meet Italy then, bye bye Brazil.

As for a Croatia USA game, I think they will meet. I don’t think the Czechs will be as strong as people say they may be and I’m not too sure about Ghana.

Posted from Australia

By red | May 11th, 2006 at 10:40 am

croatia will pass the group.no doubt bout dat
u.s.a is like euler , when both of dem will learn that it’s football and not SOCCER dat we’re playing .then maybe they ‘ll get a chance to know better bout football and get mo’skillz.
peace
r.

Posted from Poland

By Ivica | May 14th, 2006 at 2:58 pm

well, I am sure that Croatia will pass the first round but then its gonna be hard if Croatia get Italy or Czech Republic. I would like for Croatia to get the US. That would be a nice game
Final game : CROATIA - ARGENTINA

Posted from Austria

By Captain_Croatia89 | May 17th, 2006 at 10:02 am

Ivica, i thought the same thing about croatia making it with Argentina in the finals…the Argentina part anyways…i believe that if croatia wins their next three friendlies (Austria, Iran,Spain)they`ll have the confidence to take on Brazil balls out,or it can completely backfire and make them over confident. What i mean by this is that Ljepa Nasa made a bad decision on picking their pre-WC friendly opponents and should have taken on weaker teams. As for USA, they’re gonna flunk out completely unless Italy spoofs like in euro 2004.

ZIVJELA HRVATSKA!!!

Posted from United States

By Ivica | May 18th, 2006 at 3:15 pm

CAptain Croatian, I am going to watch the game Austria - Croatia. I have to buy the ticket and gonna see it. But I really don tknow if they have any other games before the WC starts.I really dont think that they will play against Iran and Spain because that would be too close to the WC and they have to be relaxed I see that you are from the States..Where? Yessss, Croatia - Argentina finals

Posted from Austria

By captain_croatia89 | May 20th, 2006 at 5:54 pm

Ivica, i’m from canada, it just posted that i’m from the states for some reason and btw, i’m positive they’re playing Iran and Spain, i saw it on fifa.com, and when it’s there, it’s official, u should check it out…the iran game is in osijek if i’m not mistaking and the spain game in Wolfsburg

By Ivica | May 22nd, 2006 at 7:26 am

hey ahh you are from canada, where? Haha yes you were right…i looked it already just a few min after i wrote the last message…hope they get good results for the wc

Posted from Austria

Comments are closed