PBP: Croatia vs Spain: June 18 - Arena Gdansk [R]

Probably Croatia will win, 1-0 maybe. Somehow. After something unreal and very strange. Hard to think that we will dominate in possession. Italy will probably win, maybe Croatia will play their last match. To bad that we ended in this group.

After the Greece game and the history of final day games, I wouldn't be surprised if Croatia win.

Well with Croatia one never knows..They have a history of beating the big boys in tournaments..Also have a history of knocking the big boys out of tournaments thankyou very much Mladen Petric..

Hoping to see this victory and save it in my memory forever, like those wonderfull matches against Germany, Netherlands, Italy, again Germany, etc.

Croatian Football Federation celebrates 100 years.
13 June 1912.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croatian_Football_Federation

Best Croatian football clubs Hajduk Split and Dinamo Zagreb celebrated last year their 100 year birthday.

Croatians in Yugoslav national league:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croatians_in_Yugoslavia_national_football_team

My guess, 5:0 Spain ^^
They are unbeatable. I also hoped during the tournaments 2008 and 2010 that Spain would lose and of course they never did. Except against Switzerland...well

Of course Croatia has chances. But to be honest Spain is better than anyone . They can play whatever they want. 1, 2 or zero strikers seems like it doesn't matter!

You have to fight like an animal like the Italians did and take the ball in the midfield. Then you have a chance. But who has a good 5 men midfield and tries a 3 men defence? Italy is the only team that can do it well ^^

If Croatia play like they did in the second half against Italy they have a chance..They fought for every ball and closed the Italians down quickly..Spain is the best no doubt but they are not unbeatable..Before this tournament began i didn't think Croatia had a chance of going through..They have been playing poorly for a while..Croatia to my surprise has played well and showed a fighting spirit to come back against the Italians..Croatia has quality in midfield and upfront to give Spain some problems..

Spain are far from unbeatable. The one team they have faced that have any quality were not far off beating them. Ireland doesn't prove anything.

A thick fog descended over the Gdansk..... Here comes the dawn, here comes the day..... In the battle, in the battle - for your nation....

Run people, run from the city, here comes the crowd....run people until the hope still exists, because today Croatia plays.... Ale, ale, ale, ale, ale, ale Croatia.









Song: My Homeland Croatia



Song: You are beautiful

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1thLDltKUrw

Song: Wind, stop yourself

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46m7pK1SINc&feature=related

Song: There, where are my roots are

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_UVCtiXzYA&feature=related

Go Croatia !

Being a huge Jelavic fan, I cant help but believe he's going to score everytime he steps foot on the pitch. Come on Croatia!!

2-2 guys .. you heard it here first.. a Mediterranean victory! Well, for some teams at least...

Strange note here: Dear Spanish friends, please, do not play 2-2. Italia.



I dont think that they will play 2-2. All three teams played well, so who gets the place in quarterfinals, he deserved this, but Croatia will pass, I hope.

This was written from Italian journalist of Gazzetta dello Sport, Filippo Ricci. He follows Spanish national team. Are there any Croatian journalists who follow Spanish national team, someone with spounge maybe.... How interesting, Italian journalists follow their team..... But nice effort, he knows Spanish very well, he even watched on accent above the letter n. Pippo, Pippo. When you look at his manuscript, I could say that he was in a rush. Tutto per la patria. Italian players will probably all have headphones during the match against Ireland.

Buffon started this story about 2-2. I think that they are underrating Ireland in this story, what if Spain wins and Italians play 0-0 against Ireland. Spain and Croatia have good relations, but we are not so close in miles. Usually we have better relations with those who dont share the border with Croatia. Everyone wants our territory...exciting Croatian soil for centuries.

Who knows, maybe Italia-Spain 1-1 was fixed. Maybe Italians use now diversions.

Mediterraneans play the best on this EURO, Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Croatia, Greece. Why are you so sure? I dont have any informations, odds are 1.65 on Spanish victory, 3.00 on tie and 8.25 on our victory. At least this was last night. UEFA will punish our team I think, because our fans, 6 points could be taken in qualifications for Brazil 2014.

My guess is 1:0 (typical spanish result) or 3:1 Spain ^^

If Mandukic hadn't pulled out from the shot it would have been a nasty injury.

Should be a penalty. You do not go off the ground studs up like that across another body.

Yeah that was a clear foul that was missed, reckless challenge. Should have at least given a freekick at the edge of the box and a yellow card.

Couldn't have been a free kick. Definitely in the box. Probably why the ref was scared to give it.

goal for Italy.. so Croatia will be going out now if they don't score, no?

How many defenders does Croatia have?

Italy needs at least 2 more goals to go through. A 2-0 wouldn't be enough, since the next tie-breaker is scored goals, and Croatia scored 3 versus Ireland.

Twellman... the reason Czech Republic is going through and Russia isn't has nothing to do with head to head or goal differential.... CR has 6 points - Russia has 4.

no they don't.. it's head-to-head and Italy have two goals vs Spain/Croatia, while Croatia & Spain only have 1.. so Italy top the group as we speak while Croatia are going out... it's bollocks I know, but that's the way it is...

Was it offside?

Still happy though Spain got a goal, I want to see the strongest teams in the QF, not 'park the bus' NT's.

That looked offside to me. I'd have to take a closer look on replay though..

Croatia was not a "park the bus team" at all in this tournament. Did you watch them against Ireland and Italy? They far out possessed Ireland and were about 50-50 with Italy (and had more shots on goal).

Spain are just an outstanding possession team, Italy was heavily out-possessed by them, as were Ireland, and now Croatia.