Sporting Alert

College Football, NCAAB, NBA, NFL

Croatia

Watch Flares Explode On Steward: Croatia 2 v Czech 2

by Leave a Comment

SAINT ETIENNE, Sporting Alert – Croatia named an unchanged side to face Czech Republic in the Group D match at Geoffroy Guichard stadium in Saint-Etienne, on Friday.

Flares Exploded During Croatian and Czech Republic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yB3Pe2ZX_Wc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yB3Pe2ZX_Wc

GOAL! CROATIA 2-2 CZECH REPUBLIC (Necid, 90+4 pen)

Tomas Necid, on as a second half substitute, smashes the ball into the roof of the net from the penalty spot and the Czech Republic eased a two-goal deficit to earn a point and stay in the race for knockout place at Euro 2016.

GOAL! CROATIA 2-1 CZECH REPUBLIC (Skoda, 76)

Tomas Rosicky puts a delightful cross with the outside of his right root right into the path of Milan Skoda and substitute leaped high over Vedran Corluka to head into the net. Game on again.

GOAL! CROATIA 2-0 CZECH REPUBLIC (Rakitic, 59)

Croatia has again been rewarded for pressing high on the Czech Republic backline, as Petr Cech’s poor decision to pass out of the back, resulted in his team losing the ball and it was an easy chipped finish for Ivan Rakitic for the Arsenal keeper’s head. Luka Modric has just left the pitch for Croatia, after picking up an injury on his leg and didn’t want to take any chances.

GOAL! CROATIA 1-0 CZECH REPUBLIC (Perisic, 37)

And it’s Croatia who strikes first, as after a few near misses, the group leader finally takes the lead in this game, with Ivan Perisic picking up a ball from Milan Badelj – drives forward into the box before firing it across Petr Cech and into the bottom corner. Croatia leads 2-1.

————————UPDATE ENDS———————

Real Madrid playmaker Luka Modric, who scored a brilliant goal to win the game for Croatia against Turkey, will be hoping for much of the same on Friday.

Mario Mandzukic leads the attacking line again, while defender Vedran Corluka is fit to start, and plays alongside Darijo Srna, Domagoj Vida and Ivan Strinic in the backline.

Meanwhile, the Czech Republic makes two changes from the side that was beaten by Spain in the opening game.

Theodor Gebre Selassie and Tomas Necid have been dropped and they make way for Jiri Skalak and David Lafata.

Ex-Arsenal attacker Tomas Rosicky, who only played one game for his club this past season, keeps his place in the starting lineup for this clash.

The veteran midfielder will start behind striker Lafata in the hold again, as the Czech Republic seeks to rebound from the 1-0 defeat suffered at the hands of the defending champions in the Spain the group opener.

Game Information
Live TV Channel: ESPN
Online Streaming: ESPN3, WatchESPN, WatchESPN App

Czech Republic Team: Petr Cech, Pavel Kaderabek, Roman Hubnik, Tomas Sivok, David Limbersky, Tomas Rosicky, Jaroslav Plasil, Ladislav Krejci, Jiri Skalak, Vladimir Darida, David Lafata.

Croatia Team: Danijel Subasic, Ivan Strinic, Ivan Perisic, Vedran Corluka, Ivan Rakitic, Darijo Srna, Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic, Milan Badelj, Domagoj Vida, Mario Mandzukic.

Live Streaming and TV Channels: World Cup 2014 on June 23

by Leave a Comment

(SportingAlert) — The last round of games in Group A and Group B of the FIFA World Cup will get underway on Monday with plenty still up for grab heading into the knock-out round.

Chile and the Netherlands will battle for pole position in Group B, while Spain and Australia, who are both already out of the tournament will play in the other group game on day 12.

In Group A, Brazil will battle with Cameroon in what is expected to be an easy game for the host nation, while the other game sees Mexico and Croatia fighting for the other place from the group.

Live TV channels and online streaming coverage is on ESPN, ESPN3.com and the WatchESPN app. Other TV and live streaming providers are beIN Sports, SBS Two Australia, SuperSport, RTE Player, RTE 2, ESPN Deportes, Univision Deportes USA, ITV 1 UK, TalkSport Radio, The ITV Player, STV Scotland, UTV, GOL T, Sky Sport 5 NZ, SKY GO, NOS Live Streaming, SportsMax, CVM TV Jamaica, LIV Sports Live Streaming, CBC Sports Live Streaming,… among others.

For Chile and Holland, both teams have admitted to wanting to avoid facing Brazil in the last 16 and topping the group seems the best way to do this. Already qualified for the next round, both coaches could rest a few players, but expect an exciting and attacking game on Monday.

Robin van Persie will miss the game for the Netherlands because of a one match ban, while defender Bruno Martins Indi, could miss out as well after he suffered a concussion in the 3-2 win over Australia.

For Chile, midfielder Arturo Vidal could keep his place in the starting lineup as he continues to work on game fitness.

The other Group B World Cup game Monday sees the already dumped defending champions Spain facing fellow outgoing Australia in Curitiba.

Meanwhile, the battle for places from Group A is also one to watch out for, as Mexico and Croatia look to dump each other out of the tournament when they meet in Recife. A victory for either side will see them going through, while Mexico can qualify with a draw.

Brazil take on a Cameroon side which has been very disappointing so far at the tournament. With Samuel Eto’o almost certain to miss his second successive game because of an injury and Alex Song out due to suspension, Neymar and company will start heavy favourites to win and top the group.

Neymar’s double seals victory for Brazil in World Cup opener

by Leave a Comment

Neymar celebrates after scoring for Brazil. PHOTO: Zimbio.com

SAO PAULO (Sporting Alert) — Two goals from Neymar piloted Brazil to a 3-1 victory over Croatia in the opening game of the 2014 Fifa World Cup finals in Sao Paulo on Thursday night.

Neymar netted the equalizer in the 29th minute to cancelled out an own goal by Marcelo, which gave Croatia the lead in the 11th minute – before scoring his second goal from the penalty spot to give Brazil a 2-1 lead in the 71th minute.

With his two goals tonight, Neymar is now joint seventh in the goal scoring department for Brazil, as he joins Ronaldinho and Jairzinho with 33 goals.

Brazil’s third goal on the night game from an enticing run from Oscar, who after running out of options, took his toe-poke shot from outside the box, which beat Stipe Pletikosa in goal to seal the game for the World Cup hosts in the Group A opener.

Meanwhile, the penalty kick won by Fred has been the subject of debate after replays clearly showed that the Brazilian forward made more of the challenge than what it really was to win the spot at a time when nothing was happening for either him or his team.

Croatian defender Dejan Lovren also got an undeserved yellow card.

There was continuous riots on the streets before and during the game with police officers forced to use  tear gas at protesters.

Brazil v Croatia

Brazil: Julio Cesar, Dani Alves, Thiago Silva, Luiz, Marcelo, Paulinho, Gustavo, Hulk, Oscar, Neymar, Fred. Subs: Jefferson, Fernandinho, Dante, Maxwell, Henrique, Ramires, Hernanes, Willian, Bernard, Jo, Maicon, Victor

Croatia: Pletikosa, Srna, Corluka, Lovren, Vrsaljko, Modric, Rakitic, Perisic, Kovacic, Olic, Jelavic. Subs: Zelenika, Pranjic, Vukojevic, Schildenfeld, Brozovic, Rebic, Sammir, Vida, Eduardo, Subasic

Referee: Yuichi Nishimura (Japan)

Brazil v Croatia Starting Lineups: Watch Live on ESPN3.com

by Leave a Comment

SAO PAULO (Sporting Alert) — Playmaker Oscar starts for Brazil, despite his recent poor form as the hosts take on Croatia in the opening game of the 2014 Fifa World Cup finals in Sao Paulo on Thursday evening.

Watch Live Streaming on ESPN3: Brazil vs Croatia World Cup Game

Team News

The Chelsea player, Oscar, will play as the advanced midfielder in a the three man midfield that also includes Paulinho and Luiz Gustavo.

He got the nod over fellow club mate Willian, who has been in good form.

Neymar, Hulk, Thiago Silva and David Luiz also start as head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari named the same starting line-up that beat Spain 3-0 in last summer’s Confederations Cup final.

This team is also the same starting XI that beat Serbia 1-0 in the last friendly game, with Fred netting the winner in that contest.

For Croatia, they are without Bayern Munich striker Mario Mandzukic, who is out because of suspension, which means that Nikica Jelavic forward Nikica Jelavic will lead the attack in the World Cup opener.

Also starting this evening are Real Madrid playmaker Luka Modric and FC Basel’s Ivan Rakitic in midfield, as well as Southampton defender Dejan Lovren, who starts in defense.

Brazil v Croatia

Brazil: Julio Cesar, Dani Alves, Thiago Silva, Luiz, Marcelo, Paulinho, Gustavo, Hulk, Oscar, Neymar, Fred. Subs: Jefferson, Fernandinho, Dante, Maxwell, Henrique, Ramires, Hernanes, Willian, Bernard, Jo, Maicon, Victor.

Croatia: Pletikosa, Srna, Corluka, Lovren, Vrsaljko, Modric, Rakitic, Perisic, Kovacic, Olic, Jelavic. Subs: Zelenika, Pranjic, Vukojevic, Schildenfeld, Brozovic, Rebic, Sammir, Vida, Eduardo, Subasic.

Referee: Yuichi Nishimura (Japan)

World Cup Opening Ceremony; Brazil v Croatia TV Channels

by Leave a Comment

Brazil are ready for the World Cup

SAO PAULO (SportingAlert.com) —The following are the TV channels and live online streaming information for the opening ceremony and first game at the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil on Thursday.

The opening ceremony gets underway at 2:00 EST can be seen live on ITV1, ESPN, Univision, Watch ESPN, beIN Sports 11 HD, beIN Sports 2 HD, beIN Sports 1 HD, beIN Sports 13 HD, ESPN Brasil, FOX Sports 1 Brasil, SporTV, as well live streaming online at ESPN3.com and WatchESPN.

Following the opening ceremony, hosts Brazil and Croatia open the FIFA World Cup tournament with the Group A fixture in Sao Paulo, with the game kicking off at 3:00pm EST.

Live coverage of the game will also be on the TV channels above, in addition to LIV Sports Live Streaming, RTE 2, UTV, RTE Player, CBC Sports Live Streaming, HRT 2 and ZDF.

Brazil start as one of the title favourites for this year’s tournament, with the likes of Neymar, Oscar, Thiago Silva and Marcelo in the setup, while Croatia go into the game fighting injuries and suspension setbacks.

One of the main-man missing for the first game for Croatia, is Bayern Munich forward Mario Mandzukic, who is suspended for the opener.

Live Streaming on ESPN3: Brazil vs Croatia World Cup Group A

by Leave a Comment

Neymar ready to lead Brazil at Fifa World Cup. Photo via fifa.com

SAO PAULO (SportingAlert.com) — Host nation Brazil will kick-start the 2014 Fifa World Cup tournament with the opening game in Group A against Croatia at Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo on Thursday.

Watch Live Streaming on ESPN3: Brazil vs Croatia World Cup Game

The clash will be only the third meeting between the two sides and the second in World Cup fixture, following their previous meetings in 2005 and at the 2006 World Cup.

They played to a 1-1 draw in a friendly international in 2005, while Brazil came away with a 1-0 victory in the group stages as well when they last met at Germany 2006 in Berlin.

All eyes will be on the nation’s superstar Neymar, who has been passed fit to start, following an injury scare in practice this week.

The pressure is mounting on Brazil to succeed in their own back-yard, with Neymar expected to carry a lot of the burden.

Still, even with such an enormous amount of pressure on his shoulder, the Barcelona forward remains grounded.

Neymar admits that he is feeling a little nervous for the start of the tournament, but added that he cannot wait to get the show on the road.

“We hope that this last day goes by very quickly,” Neymar said. “I am anxious of course but also I’m extremely happy being where I am today because many people would like to be here.

“I really hope I can help my team in the best possible way to fulfil the dream of the players, and Brazilians, which is to win the World Cup.”

Brazil dominated the Confederations Cup in 2013 on home soil, after beating Spain 3-0 in the final, and Neymar believes the Seleção have a very good chance of winning another title at home.

“We have a great chance to become world champions,” he said.

The first task now is to get past Croatia, a team not lacking in talents and one many are even backing to come away with a point against the hosts and title favourites.

With the likes of Nikica Jelavic, Luka Modric, Mario Mandzukic and Ivan Rakitic, among others in the squad, Croatia are not short on talents and defender and skipper Darijo Srna warns that they plan on battling with the Brazilians in the opener.

Srna also said the team is prepared to give it 100-percent in every game.

“I can’t promise to win the World Cup or to progress out of the group. I can’t promise to beat Brazil but it is a promise that we will give our all, the last atom of strength,” Srna warned.

Head coach Niko Kovac added: “Let’s be realistic, Brazil are the hosts and a great favourite.

“We come to play the best we can, leave the right impression and show heart on the field.

“The players are eager for this match, the training is going strong and sharp. They are all professionals and they want to play and impose themselves.

“I am optimistic we’re not going to Sao Paulo raise the white flag.”

Mandzukic will miss the opening match for the Vatreni against Brazil because of suspension.

World Cup qualifying play-offs and friendly score updates

by Leave a Comment

(Sporting Alert) — The following are updates from the football friendly and World Cup Qualifying play-offs games currently taking place around the globe.

Watch Live Streaming on ESPN3 | Follow Live Score Updates Here

In friendly international action, Alexis Sanchez has put Chile in front against England, a game the Three Lions will not want to lose, following the build up antics leading up to the contest.

Italy, in the meantime, are even at 1-1 with Germany, with Mats Hummels scoring the go ahead goal in the eighth-minute for the Germans and Ignazio Abate answering back in the 28th. LA Galaxy forward Robbie Keane has put Ireland ahead against Latvia, while Poland trail Slovakia 1-0.

Elsewhere, Scotland and USA are 0-0, a game that be seen live on ESPN and streaming on ESPN3.com.

in World Cup qualifying play-offs, Sweden and Portugal are still goalless, so too is the clash between Ukraine vs France and Iceland against Croatia.

However, Greece are leading Romania by 2-1.

Gareth Bale gives Wales early lead against Croatia

by Leave a Comment

SWANSEA (Sporting Alert) — Gareth Bale has given Wales the early advantage against Croatia in their World Cup Europe Group A qualifier at Millennium Stadium.

Wales v Croatia Live Scores

The in form Tottenham winger, who was a doubt for the game because of an injury, scored from the penalty spot in the 21st minute after Joe Ledley was brought down inside the penalty area by Dejan Lovren.

The game has been billed as a Luka Modric vs Bale encounter, but it will certainly be more then just about those two players come the end of the game.

Mario Mandzukic has been in good form for Bayern Munich and he will certainly need to be watch very closely tonight.

In another early update, Wayne Rooney has headed England into the lead against Montenegro, while Germany are hammering Kazakhstan 3-0 in the early goings.

Wales v Croatia

Wales: Myhill, Gunter, Ashley Williams, Collins, Davies, Ledley, Jonathan Williams, King, Bellamy, Robson-Kanu, Bale
Subs: Price, Lynch, Nyatanga, Ricketts, Richards, Church, Tudur Jones, Vokes, Easter, Fon Williams

Croatia: Pletikosa, Strinic, Corluka, Lovren, Srna, Rakitic, Modric, Sammir, Badelj, Mandzukic, Eduardo
Subs: Kresic, Pavlovic, Kovacic, Vukojevic, Jelavic, Schildenfeld, Kalinic, Olic, Petric, Vida, Subasic

Referee: Luca Banti (Italy)

Mandzukic, Modric start: Croatia v Serbia Live on ESPN3

by Leave a Comment

(Sporting Alert) — Bayern Munich forward Mario Mandzukic and Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric are among the starters for Croatia in today’s World Cup Europe Group A qualifier at Stadion Maksimir.

Watch Live on: ESPN3.com | Live Scores Online On Our Football Page

Also in the starting team for the Croatians are Darijo Srna and Vedran Corluka, who both start in the backline, with Ivica Olic partnering Mandzukic in the attack and Ivan Rakitic and Niko Kranjcar in the midfield.

Striker Nikica Jelavic is on the bench, following a dip in form with Everton in the Barclays Premier League recently.

For Serbia, Zoran Tosic starts in midfield, while the strong backline is being led by Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic, with Neven Subotic and Matija Nastasic playing alongside him.

Marko Scepovic and Filip Djuricic have been asked to get the goals tonight.

Croatia v Serbia

Croatia: Pletikosa, Srna, Simunic, Corluka, Strinic, Kovacic, Modric, Rakitic, Kranjcar, Mandzukic, Olic
Subs: Subasic, Lovren, Vukojevic, Jelavic, Schildenfeld, Kalinic, Ademi, Petric, Vida, Eduardo, Badelj

Serbia: Brkic, Ivanovic, Subotic, Nastasic, Kolarov, Radovanovic, Ignjovski, Tosic, Stevanovic, Scepovic, Djuricic
Subs: Stojkovic, Tomovic, Bisevac, Petrovic, Tadic, Djurdjic, Fejsa, Rukavina, Milivojevic, Djordjevic, Rajkovic, Kuzmanovic

Referee: Cuneyt Cakir (Turkey)

Croatia v South Korea Starting Line-ups; Football Scores

by Leave a Comment

(Sporting Alert) — Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric is in the Croatia starting line-ups for today’s friendly international clash with South Korea.

Follow Live Football Scores and Results Croatia v South Korea

Modric, who is still working on establishing his place in the La Liga starting team, starts in the midfield alongside Ognjen Vukojevic and Niko Kranjcar.

Mario Mandzukic and Ivica Olic will lead the attack, while Vedran Corluka and Darijo Srna are amongst the defenders.

Everton forward Nikica Jelavic and former Arsenal frontman Eduardo are both on the substitutes bench for the game.

Croatia v South Korea

Croatia: Pletikosa, Strinic, Simunic, Corluka, Srna, Rakitic, Vukojevic, Modric, Kranjcar, Mandzukic, Olic
Subs: Kresic, Andrijasevic, Lovren, Jelavic, Schildenfeld, Sammir, Ademi, Petric, Eduardo

South Korea: Sung-Ryong Jung, Jae-Soo Choi, Kwang-Hoon Shin, Kwak, Jung-Soo Lee, Hyung-Min Shin, Koo, Ki, Chung-Yong Lee, Ji, Son
Subs: Young-Kwang Kim, In-Hwan Jung, Bo-Kyung Kim, Seung-Gi Lee, Park, Jae-Sung Kim, Chul-Soon Choi, Shin-Wook Kim, Ki-Hee Kim, Dong-Gook Lee, Hwang, Jang

Referee: Michael Oliver (England)

Croatia v Wales: Live and Team News

by Leave a Comment

(Sporting Alert) — Wales coach Chris Coleman has been forced to make one change to his starting XI for tonight’s 2014 World Cup qualifying match against Croatia at Stadion Maksimir.

Live Audio Commentary” href=”http://commentariesv4.mediaondemand.net/bet365.aspx?c=bet365&cl=bet365&channel=football&menu=true&lang=en-GB” target=”_blank”>Live Audio Coverage

The Wales boss is without the suspended Aaron Ramsey, who received a booking during the 2-1 victory over Scotland last Friday.

The Arsenal midfielder was replaced in the starting team by Andy King.

Meanwhile, Everton striker Nikica Jelavic starts tonight’s game among the substitutes for Croatia, but he’s expected to play some part as the game progresses.

Real Madrid star creative midfielder Luka Modric heads the list of players starting tonight, with former Arsenal forward Eduardo also included as well.

LINE-UPS: Croatia v Wales Teams

Wales: Price, Williams, Ben Davies, Gunter, Blake, Edwards, Vaughan, Bale, Allen, Ledley, Morison.
Subs: Ramsey, King, Richards, Craig Davies, Robson-Kanu, Wilson, Brown, Fon Williams, Ricketts, Vokes, Church.

Croatia: Pletikosa, Strinic, Simunic, Lovren, Srna, Badelj, Perisic, Rakitic, Modric, Mandzukic, Eduardo.
Subs: Subasic, Kresic, Vida, Schildenfeld, Radosevic, Pamic, Jelavic, Kalinic, Vukojevic, Sammir, Corluka.

Balotelli scores wonder goal for Italy (w) video highlights

by Leave a Comment

(Sporting Alert) — Mario Balotelli scored the pick of the goals for Italy in their 2-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland in their Euro 2012 Group C clash on Monday.

Watch Mario Balotelli Wonder Goal


Italy 2-0 Rep. of Ireland (Euro 2012 – Group C)…

The Manchester City forward, who was dropped to the bench for the contest in favourite of Antonio Di Natale, brilliantly hooked home a corner taken by Andrea Pirlo shortly before time for Italy to secure the victory.

AC Milan forward Antonio Cassano had opened the scoring for the Italians in the 35th minute when he headed home a cross kick corner also, aimed at the near post.

Also in the group, Spain secured their place in the quarter-finals and top spot from Group C with a 1-0 win over a determined Croatia side, which paid for not taking advantage of their early chances.

Substitute Jesus Navas scored the winner for Spain in Gdansk after Cesc Fabregas and Andres Iniesta had done all the hard work.

Spain topped the group with seven points, two more than Italy, who finished second while Croatia’s tournament ended on four points and Ireland going home without a point.

Croatia vs Spain

Croatia: Pletikosa, Vida, Corluka, Schildenfeld, Strinic, Vukojevic, Rakitic, Srna, Modric, Pranjic, Mandzukic
Subs: Kelava, Simunic, Buljat, Jelavic, Badelj, Vrsaljko, Dujmovic, Kalinic, Kranjcar, Perisic, Eduardo, Subasic

Spain: Casillas, Arbeloa, Pique, Sergio Ramos, Jordi Alba, Xavi, Busquets, Alonso, Silva, Torres, Iniesta
Subs: Valdes, Albiol, Javi Martinez, Juanfran, Pedro, Fabregas, Negredo, Mata, Llorente, Santi Cazorla, Jesus Navas, Reina

Referee: Wolfgang Stark (Germany)

Italy vs Republic of Ireland

Italy: Buffon, Abate, Barzagli, Chiellini, Balzaretti, Pirlo, Marchisio, Thiago Motta, De Rossi, Di Natale, Cassano
Subs: Sirigu, Maggio, Ogbonna Obienza, Balotelli, Giaccherni, Borini, Montolivo, Bonucci, Giovinco, Diamanti, Nocerino, De Sanctis

Ireland: Given, O’Shea, Dunne, St, Ledger, Ward, McGeady, Whelan, Andrews, Duff, Keane, Doyle
Subs: Westwood, Kelly, McShane, Walters, Gibson, Hunt, O’Dea, Long, Cox, Green, McClean, Forde

Referee: Cuneyt Cakir (Turkey)