Croatia v England (2010 FIFA World Cup™) countdown
The Croatia v England rematch is only a few months away! In September 2008, Capello faces his first major test as England Manager, potentially on the very same ground Steve Mclaren, and in particular Paul Robinson, experienced one of the worst nights of their international career.
Images of Borat smiling from an advertising board are also conjured up with the inclusion of Kazakhstan in the same qualifying group. Could they provide a shock of their own? Check out our quick guide here.
UEFA Euro 2008
Euro 2008 is now over, and what an incredible tournament it's been! Spain are the champions, their brand of sexy football sweeping aside all that dared stand in their way. 44 years of underachievement and hurt were forgotten as Luis Aragones's side swatted a Germany team that had performed miracles to reach the final. We were told to 'Expect Emotions' and how right they were! Turkey served up some of the most memorable highlights with two incredible late finishes. Croatia, Holland, Portugal, Russia and of course Spain wowed us with their beautiful and inventive play. Italy and Romania were the spoilers of the tournament, with Sweden, Portugal, France, Czech Republic and Poland all left hoping for an improvement at South Africa 2010. And lest we forget our perfect hosts Switzerland and Austria, who both failed to qualify from their respective groups, it's a case of better luck next time and thank you for the memories! Check out our Euro 2008 blog, review of the tournament, review of the Croatian players' performances, official BACF Team of the Tournament and featured articles "Euro 2008 - An Englishman's perspective" (following intrepid reporter Adrian Atterby on his quest as an Englishman supporting Croatia).
Presenting Tony Henry
Meet the Croatian team's unofficial mascot for Euro 2008 - acclaimed opera singer Tony Henry! Why is Tony the new mascot? Rewind to Wembley, 21st November 2007, England v Croatia. Tony was billed to sing the national anthems for the teams in what was the new ground’s biggest fixture to date. Tony was the ideal candidate for the job as he’d already sung at the 2007 FA Cup Final, Buckingham Palace and the Royal Albert Hall.
England struggle, Croatia comeback! After this week's friendlies Capello's England still look a long way from reaching their potential, whilst Croatia continued their unbeaten run. You'll find everything you need to 'go Croat' and follow them and every other member of Slaven Bilic's squad here - up to date match and player info, transfer news, features, video highlights, games, forum and the fabled Hall of Fame. Try our Croatian Name Generator, Be the Goalie football game where you can rewrite history or meet Tony Henry, the team mascot and learn a few helpful Croatian phrases. There are also special features on Euro 2008 AND World Cup 2010 where Croatia and England will battle it out once again!
Dinamo face mission impossible
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Dinamo Zagreb take on Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League tonight as they try and reverse a 2-0 deficit. It will be an emotional return for Darijo Srna who was a key player for Hajduk Split before his move to Ukraine.
Croatian midfield star ruled out for 3 months
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It's a body blow for Croatia and Portsmouth as Niko Kranjcar has been ruled out for at least 3 months following surgery the ankle injury he picked up whilst training with the national side.
England show little to worry Croatia
If last night was a chance for Fabio Capello to show how far England have come during his reign, it was missed. 'New' England look very much like McClaren's England, with players playing out of position in a toothless midfield behind an isolated attack. 60,000 fans inside a three quarter full stadium made their feelings known both during the game and at the final whistle even as Joe Cole toe-poked an injury time equaliser to spare the team's blushes.
Croatia gear up for Slovenia friendly
As Croatia prepare for their first game since the dramatic loss to Turkey at Euro 2008, Slaven Bilic was keen to banish the memories of that painful defeat and look forward to a new era of Croatian prominence.
- Corluka and Kranjcar suffer (18 August 2008)
- Mladen Petric switches to Hamburg (17 August 2008)
- Spurs suffer whilst Hamburg hold Bayern - Croatian Player round-up (16 August 2008)
- Champions League round-up (14 August 2008)
- Champions League preview (13 August 2008)
- Simic settles on Monaco (11 August 2008)
- Corluka chooses City (11 August 2008)
- Slaven Bilic names squad for Slovenia friendly (06 August 2008)
- Spurs join the fast lane (06 August 2008)
- Modric suffers injury setback (04 August 2008)
- Eduardo returns to Arsenal (04 August 2008)
- Hajduk risk elimination from Uefa Cup (04 August 2008)
- Croatia stars in action as pre-season warms up (02 August 2008)
- It's Shakhtar! (01 August 2008)
- Hajduk, Slaven Belupo and Manchester City enjoy Uefa Cup wins (31 July 2008)
- Klasnic makes debut for Nantes (31 July 2008)
- Dinamo spank Domzale to guarantee Champions League progression (30 July 2008)
- Modric unveiled at Spurs (30 July 2008)
- Luka and Santos shine as Spurs dominate friendly (29 July 2008)
- Croatia still under threat of losing Bilic? (26 July 2008)
- Igor Tudor announces retirement from football (24 July 2008)
- Dinamo set up repeat Domžale clash (23 July 2008)
- Niko Kranjcar's 'relief' at positive attention (23 July 2008)
- Eduardo setback a shame, if not unexpected (23 July 2008)
- Croats in the Premiership - Special Focus (22 July 2008)
- Fresh talent hoping to break through (21 July 2008)
2010 FIFA World Cup™ qualification
The Croatia v England rematch is only a few months away! In September 2008, Capello faces his first major test as England Manager, potentially on the very same ground Steve Mclaren, and in particular Paul Robinson, experienced one of the worst nights of their international career.
Images of Borat smiling from an advertising board are also conjured up with the inclusion of Kazakhstan in the same qualifying group. Could they provide a shock of their own? Check out our quick guide here.
History of Croatian national football
Croatian national football has experienced it's ups and downs in the 18 years it has been in existence. 8 coaches, 6 out of 7 major tournaments, 215 players, 40 scorers, 324 goals scored. As high as 3rd in the FIFA world rankings, as low as 125th. 35 mins away from a World Cup Final in 98,failure to qualify for the European Champs only two years later.
Croatian Football Anthems
Admittedly, Croatia haven't had as many opportunities as England to 'do the competition song thing', yet with qualification in all but one major tournament so far, they're catching up! Want to know what Croatia's version of 'Three Lions', 'Vindaloo' or 'World in Motion' is? Perhaps you fancy singing some of the songs now that you've got your Honorary Croatian Birth Certificate and learnt your basic phrases. Either way, enjoy. Here are the best, and the worst of the Croatian Football Anthems.
Become A Croatia Fan TV
Become A Croatia Fan TV is pleased to announce some new features and content.
First of all we launch "Prosi Watch" - a trip down the mind of one of the BACF team that has a bit of a thing for the midfield maestro turned Croatian National Team Assistant Manager. I've got to admit, the charismatic wizard certainly makes good TV!
Secondly we bring you our Zagreb report. It took a while to sort out,but we're pleased to say it's finally finished. Hope you like it, and once again, thanks to everyone we met for making us feel so welcome. From the people we already knew, to the people that knew about us, including that sandwich shop owner who served up one of the best late night kebabs I've had in a long time, you all made it an unforgettable trip.
Last but not least, we continue our keepy-uppy series with the latest installment of the class of '98 showing the young'uns how it's done. We've also just thrown in a news article by Nova TV on there featuring us "hard at work" at the Croatian Media Centre at Bad Tatzmannsdorf.
- GK Stipe Pletikosa
- GK Mario Galinovic
- GK Vedran Runje
- DEF Dario Knežević
- DEF Vedran Corluka
- DEF Dario Simic
- DEF Robert Kovac
- DEF Josip Simunic
- DEF Stjepan Tomas
- DEF Marko Babic
- MID Anas Sharbini
- MID Danijel Pranjic
- MID Nikola Pokrivac
- MID Ognjen Vukojevic
- MID Ivan Rakitic
- MID Darijo Srna
- MID Jurica Vranjes
- MID Jerko Leko
- MID Niko Kovac
- MID Ivan Leko
- MID Dario Jertec
- MID Luka Modric
- MID Davor Vugrinec
- MID Niko Kranjcar
- FOR Nikola Kalinic
- FOR Mario Mandžukić
- FOR Darío Cvitanich
- FOR Igor Budan
- FOR Mladen Petric
- FOR Eduardo
- FOR Ivan Bosnjak
- FOR Ivan Klasnic
- FOR Bosko Balaban
- FOR Ivica Olic
- COA Alijosa Asanovic
- MGR Robert Prosinecki
- MGR Slaven Bilic
