It's more than a game - Croatia vs Serbia.

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It's easy to forget this is a game of football. Already many in both countries have.

 

One of the most explosive encounters football has ever seen will take place tonight, this is the first meeting of these nations since the bloody civil war of the 90s

 

Formerly close-knit families were destroyed, tens of thousands of people were killed and entire cities razed to the ground.

 

3000 armed police, 1000 soldiers and a similar number of security officers will be employed inside the ground.

 

Serbian supporters have been banned from travelling to the match, extra security around the ground and on the border between the countries

 

Authorities have threatened any Serb who makes the trip with a month in prison.

 

Scotland's Group A rivals are fighting it out for a place at the World Cup in Brazil, but it is almost a sideshow.

 

Police have warned Croatian fans that they could halt the match if they resort to anti-Serbian chants.

 

Europe's football governing body will closely monitor the game for any possible trouble. UEFA have twice in two years warned Croatian and Serbian officials that it could ban their teams from international competition if there are any more acts of violence or racial chanting by hooligans.

 

 

Croatian coach Igor Stimac said: "We will not try to provoke anyone, and let the best team win. Support us with your love for us and not with your hatred for the opponent (Someone should educate the tims in this) We are feeling tensions, but only because of the importance of the game. This is a football match and not a war"

 

Infamous Turkish referee the strict Cuneyt Cakir who sent off Nani in Manchester Utd's CL match against Real Madrid will have the unenviable job of trying to keep both sets of players under control.

 

The game kicks off at 17.00 (that's 5pm to those with no idea what a 24 hour clock is )

Edited March 22, 2013 by 54andcounting

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Stadium erupts on 23rd minute Mandzukic 1-0 Croatia - error by the Serb defence

 

The atmosphere at the game is incredible

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37 minutes Serbian defender Aleksandar Kolarov booked for foul (misses game against Scotland on Tuesday)

 

Srna takes free kick - Olic scores 2-0

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HT 2-0 only one team in it with a baying partisan full house backing them

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No more goals in 2nd half...2-0 FT.....Nikica Jelavic was an unused substitute.

[Gribz 743]

2 really good football sides, who have got themselves up and running since the early 90s. Serbia combined with Montenegro were improving all the time but since that split it seems the latter got stronger as you can see in Englands group.

 

Nice to see the footie chat room being used, seems everything even non Rangers related gets lumped in Rangers chat.