Hrvatska v Argentina Group D matchday 2 of 3 at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium in Kaliningrad

KICK OFF: 1900 hours sharp. the FIFA are being obstinate t**ts again over the kick-off times.

The teams:

Hrvatska or Croatia as they are affectionately know by foreigners have had to overcome a few hurdles to even make it to Russia having squeezed in via the playoffs.

Head coach Zlatko Dalic only took over the team with one game left in the qualifiers, so it's safe to say the journey has so far not gone to plan but the Croats are the perennial dark horses in tournament football. Star men Rakitic and Modric will give the Argies plenty to deal with in what promises to be the game of the world cup so far according to none other than the Turkish bloke what cut my hair this afternoon.

Liverpool central defenser stalwart Dejan Lovren will be aiming to kick lumps off of the little known Argentinian #10 and holding the Croatian defensive unit together.

One to watch: Andrej Kramaric. Unlike the ageing Modric and Rakitic, both in their 30s, Kramaric (formerly at leicestercestershirecester city) is approaching his peak at 26 and is banging goals in all over the shop for his parent club Hoffenheim who ply their trade in the good old Bundesliga.

Last time out: Croatia 2 Nigeria jacks**t (Edemo 32' OG, Modric 71 penno)

Croatia facts: Croatia is home to the spotty little basket case fentons known as Dalmatians

Croatia has 1246 islands and is a paradise for Sailors. Hello sailor!

Croatian's invented the necktie

The last known surviving Mediterranean Seal lives in the Croatian national aquarium and he is called Bob. No he's not.

Nikola Tesla was born in the Croatian village of Smiljan.

A Croatian called Ivan Rukic from Rijeka invented the Torpedo. He's a lot to answer for really.

The worlds biggest Truffles can be found in Croatia

The popular Maglight torch was invented in Croatia

A Croatian invented the first pen.

And now a word or two about their opponents this evening Argentina;

Cheating Wankers.

Posted By: Tombs, Jun 21, 18:25:42