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Croatia at it again

T

The TRUTH

Guest
from SI.com

Croatia eyeing another rising Aussie

ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) -- Croatia's soccer federation has its eye on another Australian-born player of Croatian descent, news reports said Wednesday.

Croatian soccer chief Vlatko Markovic is interested in 17-year-old Mathew Spiranovic for the World Cup-bound Croatian national squad, reported leading sports daily Sportske Novosti.

The Croatian soccer federation declined to comment.

Spiranovic, who was recently accepted into Australian Institute of Sport development program, is described as a robust striker with exceptional dexterity on and off the ball.

The interest in Spiranovic is expected to rekindle tensions between Croatia and Australia, who have been drawn together in Group F of this year's World Cup in Germany. Also in the group are Japan and five-time champion Brazil.

Croatia and Australia have already clashed over loyalties.

The Croatian team presently has three players -- Joey Didulica, Anthony Seric and Joe Simunic -- who opted to represent the country of their origin rather than the country of their birth.

Australia, a multicultural haven for millions of immigrants, made it to the World Cup after a 32-year hiatus and is eager to stem the flow of its homegrown talent offshore.

Some critics in Australia have called on sports authorities to prohibit Australian-raised athletes from representing other countries or force them to return funds invested in their development.



What annoys me most about this is Australian tax payers(like me) pay for these kids to get world class training at the AIS only for them to be taken by a country were there nanna or someone used to live, **** ..... if every aussie kid with ancestors from another country was poached we wouldn't have any athletes left.
 
Well they could always cap him themselves and prevent the Croats from poaching him.

I agree though that they should have to pay back the Australian Institute if he does play for Croatia, shouldn't prove much of an obstacle to him if he makes it to the top level.
 
He's only 17 he doesn't deserve a cap , Australia has over 100 players in europe and some good players at home that are fighting for a spot in the World Cup squad it would be unfair on them to cap this kid.

Croatia are gonna offer him a spot in there WC squad and i dont think he's even played a professional game yet, cant they devolope there own players.
 
Heres a few guys that probably deserve a spot more than that kid (and doesnt include A league players)
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Belgium
LAYBUTT, Stephen Defender KAA Gent
SANTALAB, Brendan Belgium Sint Truiden

Croatia

BOSNAR, Eddy Defender Dinamo Zagreb

Cyprus

FOTI, Adam Striker A.E. Paphos
MOUSTAKAS, Perry Apollon Limassol FC
OKON, Paul Midfielder APOEL Nicosia

Denmark

CANSDELL-SHERRIFF, Shane Defender AGF Aarhus
FORMAN, ALISON Midfielder Fortuna Hjorring

England

BOJIC, Predrag Defender Northampton Town
BRADY, Jon Midfielder Hereford
BURNS, Jacob Midfielder Barnsley
CAHILL, Tim Midfield Everton
CISAK, Alex Goalkeeper Leicester City
COYNE, Chris Defender Luton Town
DAVIES, Clint Goalkeeper Woking
DOWNES, Aaron Defender Chesterfield
DOYLE, Hayden Midfielder Stoke City
EDDS, Gareth Defender Milton Keynes
ELRICH, Ahmad Midfielder Fulham
EMERTON, Brett Right Midfielder Blackburn Rovers
FEDERICI, Adam Goalkeeper Reading
FILAN, John Goalkeeper Wigan Athletic
GARCIA, Richard Striker Colchester United
GRIFFITHS, Adam Defender Watford
GRIFFITHS, Rostyn Midfielder Blackburn Rovers
GUYETT, Scott Defender Yeovil Town
HENDERSON, Paul Goalkeeper Leicester City
HERD, Chris Aston Villa
HUKE, Shane Midfielder Peterborough
JAMIESON, Scott Midfielder Bolton Wanderers
JONES, Brad Goalkeeper Middlesbrough
KEWELL, Harry Midfielder/Striker Liverpool
KISNORBO, Patrick Defender Leicester City
LAZARIDIS, Stan Left Midfielder Birmingham City
LOWRY, Shane Aston Villa
MCCLENAHAN, Trent Defender Milton Keynes
MOORE, Craig Defender Newcastle United
NEILL, Lucas Defender Blackburn Rovers
O'HARE, Chris Halifax Town
POGLIACOMI, Les Goalkeeper Blackpool
POPOVIC, Tony Defender Crystal Palace
PORTER, Joel Midfielder Hartlepool United
REID, Paul Midfielder Brighton & Hove Albion
RIZZO, Nick Midfielder Milton Keynes
SCARSELLA, David Goalkeeper Barnsley
SCHWARZER, Mark Goalkeeper Middlesbrough
SHEPHERD, Andrew Cheltenham
SKOKO, Josip Midfielder Wigan Athletic
STAVROULAKIS, Nick Midfielder Peterborough
TALIA, Frank Goalkeeper Wycombe Wanderers
TIATTO, Danny Left Midfielder Leicester City
TROISI, James Striker Newcastle United
VIDUKA, Mark Striker Middlesbrough
WESOLOWSKI, James Midfielder Leicester City
WILKSHIRE, Luke Midfielder Bristol City

Germany

AGOSTINO, Paul Striker 1860 Munich
BULJAN, Peter Striker FC Saarbrucken
GAITATZIS, Charilaos Midfield Arminia Bielefeld
JURIC, Frank Goalkeeper Hannover 96
KENNEDY, Joshua Striker Dynamo Dresden
TEINERT, Christophe Striker SpVgg Unterhaching
VASS, Morton Midfielder Holstein Kiel

Greece

PELLEGRINO, Adriano Midfielder Panachaiki
TOHOUROGLOU, Kyriakos Goalkeeper PAOK Salonika
WESTERVELT, Aaron Midfielder Panachaiki
ZORBAS, Peter Midfielder Panachaiki

Italy

BRESCIANO, Marco Midfielder Parma
GIRALDI, Dez Striker Cuoio Pelli Cappiano
GRELLA, Vince Midfielder Parma
KALAC, Zeljko Goalkeeper AC Milan
KARLOVIC, Mario Midfielder AS Cittadella
VALERI, Carl Midfielder Grosseto
VANSTRATTAN, Jess Goalkeeper Verona

Macedonia

ARSOVSKI, Igor Midfielder Sile

Malta

TAGLIAFERRO, Shane Striker Msida St. Joseph
XUEREB, Michael Goalkeeper Hibernians FC

Netherlands

COE, Nathan Goalkeeper PSV Eindhoven
CULINA, Jason Midfielder PSV Eindhoven
HOLMAN, Brett Striker Excelsior
VIDMAR, Tony Defender NAC Breda
WILSON, Lindsay Defender PSV Eindhoven
ZOIS, Peter Goalkeeper Willem II

Norway

MACALLISTER, Dylan Striker SK Brann
RADULOVIC, Sasa Striker Lillestrom
STEFANUTTO, Shane Defender Lillestrom
WEHRMAN, Kasey Midfielder Lillestrom

Republic of Ireland

O'CONNOR, Chris Goalkeeper Bray Wanderers

Romania

CLITNOVICI, Daniel Universitatae Craiova
GRIFFITHS, Ryan Midfielder FC National Bucuresti
MCKAIN, Jon Defender FCU Politehnica Timisoara
MITCHELL, Josh Defender Universitatae Craiova
SHORE, Samuel Jordan Defender FC National Bucuresti
SRHOJ, Wayne Midfielder FC National Bucuresti
THWAITE, Michael Defender FC National Bucuresti

Scotland

INVINCIBILE, Danny Midfielder Kilmarnock
LOVELL, Stuart Midfielder Queen of the South
MAISANO, John Midfielder Ayr United
MCBREEN, Daniel Striker Falkirk
MCDONALD, Scott Striker Motherwell
SCOTT, Craig Striker Cowdenbeath
TUNBRIDGE, Scott Striker Hamilton Academical
WARDLE, Matthew Livingstone

Spain

ALOISI, John Striker Alaves
BELLO-AMIGO, Jose Goalkeeper Poli Ejido

Sweden

COVIC, Ante Goalkeeper Hammarby IF
HEWS, Chay Midfielder Vastra Frolunda

Switzerland

CHIPPERFIELD, Scott Midfielder FC Basel
GRIFFITHS, Joel Striker Neuchatel Xamax
MILICEVIC, Ljubo Defender FC Thun
STERJOVSKI, Mile Midfielder/Striker FC Basel

Turkey

BASER, Tansel Defender MKE Kirikkalespor
PETKOVIC, Michael Goalkeeper Sivasspor
 
Now wait a second. I am Serbian and I am not defending Croats but you people forget how young your country is. Serbian and Croatian national identity goes back over 1000 years. Now if after 1000 years of one culture your ancestors move to place called Australia because they lost war back home, and they become Australians the very next generation. Nope it does not work that way.

And just look at those last names in your national team. Popovic, Skoko, Viduka, Milicevic, Kolac, Covic. Well all I can say if Croatia was not nazi during a WWII you people would not have world cup squad. not in 300 years.
 
To be honest I've no problem with first generation kids playing for their parents country of origin, but where I would draw the line is with the likes of Tony Cascarino digging up some granny in the west of Ireland just to play international football, it's easy for country's to sit and judge other countries for taking advantage of the parentage rule but there genuinely are young kids who'd prefer to play for their parents country.

What I've said above bears no relation to this case involving this kid as I don't know enough about his situation.

He can't be that good though if all those players deserve caps ahead of him but having looked at the list and seen the Bray Wanderers keeper there it does make me rethink.
 
I support Ayr United and we have John Maisano who plays for us. He's a heavy smoker and has only a couple of appearances to his name this tear for us so I'd miss him.

I don't agree with the rules about nationallity. Scotland used to have loads of english born and speaking (accent wise) players which I resented a great deal. Your country of birth is your nationallity - not the country that your Gran's brother's next door neighbour's son's cousin belonged to (exageration but I'm making a point)
 
What is this - Australians complaining about another country poaching their players!??? YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING!
 
Originally posted by edinburgh_gunner
not the country that your Gran's brother's next door neighbour's son's cousin belonged to (exageration but I'm making a point)

Again though this is the extreme example but I don't think you can deny someone wanting to represent the country of their parents, family loyalty can be quite strong in some cases.
 
Originally posted by BigTen@Jan 13 2006, 11:42 AM
What is this - Australians complaining about another country poaching their players!??? YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING!
nah mate its just natural

we produce the best, so its just the norm

we let Vieri go to Italy aswell

we'll claim some kiwis in return

Russel Crowe
Fin brothers
Tonie Carrol
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Brad Thorn
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its al in the ANZAC spirit BigTen.........in return u can have.........oh crap, apart from the #9 srum half from Gunnedah, nobody wants to leave this place
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ak47 - I am not so much talking about Australian claiming or taking NZ'ers but rather more all of the international talent that they poach especially from East Europe.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

So you lose a couple of footballers - big deal! Stop crying about it.
 
Originally posted by BigTen@Jan 13 2006, 12:28 PM
So you lose a couple of footballers - big deal!  Stop crying about it.
i aint crying

this nation isnt crying.........nobody cares.........

this article is from SI.com...........sports illustrated is USA

i havent heard a beep from anyone about these defecting croats in australia....i'd be surprised if anyone knew about this guy except the croat contingent.

cryng is an overstatement....... this happens all the time, as we are more exposed to this conduct, than anyone coz we harbour so many people with foriegn background.......per capita would be the most in the WORLD

in the meantime Andrew Merthens will apply for citizenship of his country of birth...ironic i know
 
Sorry ak47 - I wasn't talking to you when I said stop crying.

But trust me there is media in Australia that is having a bit of a cry about those nasty Croats that are stealing fair-dinkum Aussie boys.
 
Originally posted by BigTen@Jan 13 2006, 02:10 PM
But trust me there is media in Australia that is having a bit of a cry about those nasty Croats that are stealing fair-dinkum Aussie boys.
agreed

The media love to sell a story

cant wait for the world cup...........will finally give a true indication if the aussies are up the task.

IMO we are, but that is bias...........instinct towards anything canary yellow
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I just wish we could claim Goran Ivanisevic.........a true legend, the face of croatia, and his sister is here for the aussie open...i hope character runs in the family
 
Originally posted by ak47@Jan 13 2006, 02:15 PM
IMO we are, but that is bias...........instinct towards anything canary yellow
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<
NO! It's gol-
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Uh, yeah....Canary yellow...Mhm..



...And don't you forget it!
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<
 
Originally posted by .:kaftka:.+Jan 13 2006, 03:18 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (.:kaftka:. @ Jan 13 2006, 03:18 PM)</div>
<!--QuoteBegin-ak47
@Jan 13 2006, 02:15 PM
IMO we are, but that is bias...........instinct towards anything canary yellow
<
<
NO! It's gol-
<


Uh, yeah....Canary yellow...Mhm..



...And don't you forget it!
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<
[/b]
yes mate u better believe it

We are undefeated in the Tour De France!!!!!!!
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<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>
Your country of birth is your nationallity - not the country that your Gran's brother's next door neighbour's son's cousin belonged to (exageration but I'm making a point)[/b]

"Your country of birth is your nationallity". WOW what have you been smoking? Tell this to somebody in Europe they will laugh at you.

anyhow, I will be cheering Aussies along Serbia this world cup. just don't get all cought up into soccer hype, you will forget to play rugby.
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or maybe you already didt?
 
Originally posted by Vuky@Jan 13 2006, 04:08 PM
just don't get all cought up into soccer hype, you will forget to play rugby.
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or maybe you already didt?
nah mate

we'll be playing rugby in this life and the afterlife

it is the game they play in heaven afterall
 
Originally posted by ak47+Jan 13 2006, 04:43 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ak47 @ Jan 13 2006, 04:43 PM)</div>
<!--QuoteBegin-Vuky
@Jan 13 2006, 04:08 PM
just don't get all cought up into soccer hype, you will forget to play rugby.
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or maybe you already didt?
nah mate

we'll be playing rugby in this life and the afterlife

it is the game they play in heaven afterall [/b]
Mainly because all the refs have gone to hell.
 

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