[spwolf]

Lets see the real truth behind the age of current Croatian NT squad.


Goal Keepers
Stipe Pletikosa - (Hajduk) - 1979 - 23 years old
Tomislav Butina - (Dinamo) - 1974 - 27 years old

Defence
Igor Tudor - (Juventus) - 1978 - 24 years old
Dario Simic - (Inter) - 1975 - 27 years old
Rovert Kovac (Bayern) - 1974 - 28 years old
Boris Zivkovic (Bayer) - 1975 - 27 years old
Josip Simunic (Hertha) - 1978 - 24 years old


Midfield
Robert Prosinecki (Portsmouth) - 1969 - 33 years old
Mario Stanic (Chelsea) - 1972 - 30 years old
Niko Kovac (Bayern) - 1971 - 31 years old
Zvonimir Soldo (Stuttgart) - 1967 - 35 years old
Stjepan Tomas (Vicenza) - 1976 - 26 years old
Robert Jarni (Pao) - 1968 - 34 years old
Davor Vugrinec (Lecce) - 1975 - 27 years old
Milan Rapaic (Fenerbahce) - 1973 - 29 years old
Anthony Seric (Verona) - 1979 - 23 years old
Jurica Vranjes (Bayer) - 1980 - 22 years old

Attack
Alen Boksic (Boro) - 1970 - 32 years old
Davor Suker (1860 Munich) - 1968 - 34 years old
Ivica Olic (Zagreb) - 1979 - 23 years old
Goran Vlaovic (Panathinaikos) - 1972 - 30 years old
Tomislav Maric (Wolfsburg ) - 1973 - 29 years old


Average Age of the Croatian NT is 27.8.
Average Age of the first team is 29.1 years old

First team used:

GK
Pletikosa

DEF
Simic
Kovac
Tudor

MID
Zivkovic
Soldo
Prosinecki
Jarni
Suker

ATT
Boskic
Olic

Sure, rapaic, vugrinec and tomas may also get starting place in game or two, but that will not bring the medium age down by a lot.

So guys, we might have a slightly old squad, but remember that Suker was 30 when he won golden boot last WC.... I have to say that this is higher than what I actually thought it would be...

 

[IVO]

That average age isn't old though, not by footballing standards. It's not young but it isn't old, in fact, I'd call it a very good average age just slightly higher than ideal.

Too bad Maric bloomed so late, he's still got a few good years ahead of him, but if he came into his own earlier, he could've played a bigger part and helped the team.

But if he impresses in the friendly, he could be a starting striker. If he has his form for the WC but loses it right after, oh well, at least he'll able to help the campaign.

 

[spwolf]

I doubt he will be starting striker, since he didnt play enough NT games for that... I would be happy if he gets selected into WC team... he might be able to prove himself in trainings as well, since Olic and Vlaovic are not that proven either

Our midfield is really old... thats what is dragging us back... I mean, average first squad of 29 is fairly old, not too old, but old... I wonder if some players will be able to play 3 games in 9 days... mainly Jarni, Suker, Boksic & Robi... we do have fairly good replacements for them though

 

[IVO]

I think Jarni will manage to play all 3 games, but Suker and Robi probably won't. Boksic I'm not too sure about, maybe, maybe not.

True, Maric probably won't start, but if he comes on as a sub and performs well, he could start the next game. Jozic isn't like Ciro so he won't stick with one team no matter what.

 

[spwolf]

yep for maric... dunno about Jarni ;(.. he didnt play almost at all for Pao.. that sux..

problem is that Jozic can rest few players, however he cant over do it since then quality of play may go down...

if he rests suker, bokisc, jarni and robi at the same time, it wont be good...

I would think that he will change them early in one game

 

[Ero]

I think that's just about the right age, it's an excellent mix of older and younger players, Boksic expects to play in Euro2004 firmly. Jarni is still quick, Robi never ran, even when he was 20, Stanic is in his prime and Suki is still Suki, the man moves well off the ball and has great controll, defensive mids should cover for him and Robi.

 

[spwolf]

well, compared to 6 months ago, everyone is pretty much doing better... suker played some games, jarni few, etc, etc... but, I dont see them ready for 3 games in a row, that would kill younger players as well... we do have decent subs though, it is not as if robi needs to start every game

 

[Ljubuski]

I have reservations about the fitness of the zlatna generacija as well.

They've been playing but not regulary enough for my liking.

They cannot start and play 90 for every game. That we all know.

The key for our campaign this time is how effectively Jozic uses his reserves. Finding the right mixture and proper mindset will be key as will throwing in T. Maric or Vugrinec, or Simunic for the coup de grace.

 

[BOban_2]

spwolf

Whether 29 is old or not is debatable, however the point that I argued about that stupid article is that the IDIOT author stated that 9 of 11 starters in our team were "well into their 30's". This is simply not true. In fact only one player is well into his 30's (Soldo).

 

[spwolf]

Re: spwolf

Whether 29 is old or not is debatable, however the point that I argued about that stupid article is that the IDIOT author stated that 9 of 11 starters in our team were "well into their 30's". This is simply not true. In fact only one player is well into his 30's (Soldo).

nobody was debating the stupid article in this thread but the age of our players... and yes, they are a bit old

 

[majstor]

we'll see how these old people will play...

 

[CroatTommy]

REKLI SU NAM DA SMO STARI(SPORI) PA SMO NJEMCE POSLALI A MI SMO IM DALI TRICU PA SU KUCI OTISLI

HRVATSKA JE PRVAK SVIJETA!

 

[placebo]

if Suker plays in the midfield, then T.Maric wil start in the World Cup alogside Boksic (if he is fit) for the Mexico game. Olic will be used sparingly, while Vlaovic is always good value in major tournaments. He runs a lot and would be good to use against Italy.

 

[spwolf]

right... well I hope Tomislav Maric is one who starts and he shows as a good player, although right now, he is definitly not a starter, no matter how much I like the guy

 

[IVO]

While Maric hasn't earned a starting spot, we really only have Boksic who is pretty much guaranteed to be a starter. Vlaovic and Olic to a lesser extent, have more of a claim on that second spot, but they haven't solidified their place.

That's assuming Suker plays in the midfield though, but even if he plays as a striker, it'll be more like a playmaker which is similar to an offensive midfielder role.

 

[spwolf]

yep.. lets see how Maric plays vs Bulgaria, that will probably determine what will happen to him... I am crossing my fingers

 

[IVO]

Injuries are a son of a b....

To go down with injury in the middle of what was probably his best run of form just sucks. Jebiga, that's life, happened to Boksic just before last WC and now and then I'll still wonder what might have been.

 

[placebo]

what is the full extent of Boksic's injury? will he be ready for the World Cup? man, he got us to France then didnt play, and now he's taken us to Japan and again is injured. I bet if his contract had to be renewed he would be fit as a fiddle

 

[spwolf]

its "groin" injury... dunno wtf it is really... every1 at Boro is pissed cuz they think he is lazy