Euro 2012: Spain-Croatia 18 June (R)

The main question will be if VBD will put in the same lineup as today or go with a more bench friendly squad. I say the same lineup but replacing the main guys earlier than today. I like Cesc coming from the bench. I think it keeps the quality consistent with the subs. No drop off in performance. If he goes with that I say Spain 3-1. If they really wanna screw Italy then 2-2. I'm all for Italy being kindly shown the door early.

 

Croatia's only chance of winning is through smash-and-grab play. This is something La Roja are used to dealing with since everyone employs this tactic. Croatia may be dangerous, but they don't have the quality to upset us. VBD needs to keep his foot on the throttle and Croatia needs to be given a masterclass in football on their way out the door. With that in mind, I don't see why the starting 11 should change from the Ireland game unless there are fatigue or injury concerns.

 

We've lost to lesser sides than Croatia before so let's not count our chickens before they hatch.

 

Results through history against Croatian opponents in this group

Croatia against their opponents through history:
23.03.1994., Valencia, Friendly match, Spain - Croatia, 0:2 (0:1)
Prosinečki (6'), Šuker (51')

05.05.1999. , Sevilla, Friendly match, Spain - Croatia, 3:1 (1:1)
Šuker (9')

23.02.2000., Split, Friendly match, Croatia - Spain, 0:0 (0:0)

07.06.2006. , Geneva, Friendly match, Spain - Croatia, 2:1 (0:1)
Kranjčar (14')

16.11.1994., Palermo, EURO 1996 Qualifications, Italy - Croatia, 1:2 (0:1)
Šuker (32'), Šuker (59')

08.10.1995., Split, EURO 1996 Qualifications, Croatia - Italy, 1:1 (0:1)
Šuker (48')

28.04.1999. Zagreb, Friendly match, Croatia - Italy, 0:0 (0:0)

08.06.2002., Ibaraki, Japan, World Cup 2002, Italy - Croatia, 1:2 (0:0)
Olić (73'), Rapaić (76')

16.08.2006. , Livorno, Friendly match, Italy - Croatia, 0:2 (0:2)
Da Silva (18'), Modrić (42')

14. 06. 2012., EURO 2012, Croatia - Italy, 1-1

02.06.1996., Dublin, Friendly match, Ireland - Croatia, 2:2 (1:2)
Šuker (14'), Boban (45')

05.09.1998., Dublin, EURO 2000 Qualifications, Ireland - Croatia, 2:0 (2:0)

04.09.1999., Zagreb, EURO 2000 Qualifications, Croatia - Ireland, 1:0 (0:0)
Šuker (90')

15.08.2001., Dublin, Friendly match, Ireland - Croatia, 2:2 (1:0)
Vugrinec (80'), Šuker (90')

16.11.2004., Dublin, Friendly match, Ireland - Croatia, 1:0 (1:0)

10.08.2011., Dublin, Friendly match, Ireland - Croatia, 0:0 (0:0)

10. 06. 2012. Poznan, EURO 2012, Ireland - Croatia, 1-3


Does Spain has any weak spot, maybe Arbeloa? On TV they mention 2-2 possible result. This would be good. You would kick Italy, before you had a difficult moments against them, hard to win against them. If Spain doesnt play 2-2, than you could meet against Italians in semifinals again.

 

Switzerland, Greece also destroyed your record at home once, Nigeria 1998, you had one difficult match against Serbia, on EURO 2000, Spain won 4-3, Alfonso scored in 92, 93 minute. Serbia was two times undefeated against Spain in qualifications, you went in additional qualifications. I dont remember many Spanish defeats on bigger competitions.

Spain had problems against Chile in South Africa, that goal of Villa from 30,40 meters was moment of some bad understanding in their defense.

 

We could only meet them in the final if I'm not mistaken, and if both teams would make it there that means they would have taken care of Germany. I'd rather play this Italy again than the Germans who I rate higher.

 

Spain won against Croatia before World Cup 2006, you scored in 90 minute for 2-1.

We have good technique, good football tradition, 100 years of Croatian Football Federation. We were part of Yugoslavia, we always gave 5,6 Croatian players for every EURO or World Cup, we are motivated, strong team spirit, patriotic feelings. We could aska our advantage in height, center shots. Modric could have more space. Several our players had nice careers in Spain: Davor Suker, Robert Prosinecki, Robert Jarni, Dubravko Pavlicic, Goran Vlaovic, etc.

 

Germany played on last EURO in our group, we won there 2-1 and we could play against them in semifinals, but Turkey won against us on penalties. Germany and Italy have similar style, Croatia has good scores against them. Their defenders are slow for your jugadores rapidos. You won in finals 2008. against Germany. 2-2 sounds great for both teams, we could finish this, celebrate later together, invite all Spanish players on Croatian coast. Through history we were on the same side, in very difficult moments (WWII), politically, similar histories, Arabs invaded in Spain, Ottoman Empire invaded in Croatia, we both had battle to save our identity, we both have regional rivalry among us. Croats like to visit Spain, learn Spanish. Spaniards like to visit Croatia. We both have tradition of "jamon", we call it "pršut". Croats like to watch La Primera mostly. I like two Spanish clubs, Barcelona and Real Betis. My ancestors liked Real Madrid. During Yugoslavia, Croats who did not wanted Yugoslavia supported Spain mostly in football. Because Yugoslavia was a artificial country, Croats were pressured that they join there. At cemetary San Isidro, Madrid there are several prominent Croatian figures, they lived there and died there.

2-2 for good old times. Its not everything in victory. Its better to help to each other. After that we can relax with sangria.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croatia–Spain_relations

"The two nations enjoy largely positive relations."

With Italy we have also good relations, but some things still hang in the air.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croatia–Italy_relations

They wanted our teritory: even though we were on the same side, they had double measures for Croatia, they wanted our coast and islands.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_London_(1915)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Rapallo_(1920)

 

Spain has to win to remain 1st in this group right?

I think they will go for a win... Its not possible for a team to play out a 2-2 draw... ridiculous ^

 

There is pre 2008 Spain and there is Torres, Xavi, Iniesta, Silva, Cesc Spain. Anything before that doesn't count anymore. Don't you get it?

 

They can draw, they have a higher goal differential.

 

Ordinarily I would agree. But the Germans are scared and intimidated by us. The Italians aren't and they have zero pressure where as the Germans are the only squad who people would pick over Spain on a good day. We beat the Germans in the Euro final and WC SF. We ARE inside their heads whether they admit it or not. The Italians have nothing to lose and they don't fear us like the Germans. Gimme ze Germans.

 

The mind ******** could very well be with them if Germany face spain again. I would have to agree.

Perfect example look at Dortmund vs bayern game...

5 games in a row bayern have lost to them, you don't think mind ********s don't have impact??

On the other hand this is football, one lucky bounce or mistake and it's 180* turnaround..

 

AS reports we'll start with the same team as vs Ireland.

 

Are yellow cards are wiped after this stage? It's only if someone picks up a second today that a suspension kicks in.

 

Yellow cards are gone from the semi final, so if Torres gets a yellow today he won't play the next game.

 

That much I know. But does everyone carry their yellows from group stage into knockout rounds? In World Cup they don't.

 

It gets carried untill the semi final.

 

Don't know how they can give us a Portuguese and a German ref in the last 2 games. Oh well.

Vamos!

 

The Croats playing with fireworks again, the crowd whistling because of it.

 

wtf? Is that Manchester City playing? hee hee, the sky blue shirts threw me off a bit! Hey, anyone have a good stream for this match. Stupid Al Jazeera Sports is going with Ireland v Italy as their featured game in English... oop: Want to try and watch this at the same time.. any language will do.. thanks!