The Outsiders' Edge

I write.  Almost every single day.  Whether it is nonsense or something actually worth reading again, I write.  If I have no topic in which to discuss, I describe the walls around my room or literally just fabricate some story that sounds interesting.  This is, of course, much easier after a few beers or a couple of glasses of wine, when the creative juices (aka alcohol) start flowing through the veins.  Now, I used all the tricks over the past couple weeks to try and jump start an interesting topic to write about.  From describing the intricate patterns of my bedroom walls to meeting my friend in a bar before I start writing, nothing really seemed to work.  I landed on the idea to just describe exactly what has happened the last couple weeks in the Bundesliga, and it was drier than the Sahara.  So, I did what every American in Germany does when he is frustrated:  I headed to the closest Döner Kebab store to grab a bite to eat and a beer.  Here, in the most unlikely of places, I found my inspiration.  Ćevapčići.

Ok, for all my readers that hail from or know anything about the Balkans, ćevapčići is an extremely famous dish coming originally out of Sarajevo (don’t ask what it was doing at a Turkish Döner Imbiss, cause I have no idea why either).  It consists of about 4 – 5 spiced minced meat fingers with white onion and a type of sour cream called pavlaka all in pita-bread.  The result from consumption is two pronged:  1) An immediate addiction to this unhealthy combination that does not allow you to kiss a girl for a week and 2) the phrase “drunk food” has new meaning in your life.

This lovely Bosnian expression means one thing: I’m fucking stoked beyond belief to have ćevapčići.

This fine pearl given to the world by the Balkans for me was the perfect symbol.  Balkan food at a Turkish imbiss in Germany.  Ha, maybe it is because the Turks are not the only “Gästarbeiter” in the “Bundesliga-Town” anymore.  Bosnians, Serbs, Croats, Slovenians, Macedonians, they are coming in great numbers to the English Premier League, to the Spanish, the Italian, the French, Dutch,  and of course, the German soccer league.  After the war in that split up Yugoslavia, the countries from the Balkan Peninsula have had very few clubs in the spotlight of European soccer.  The last team to leave their mark was Red Star Belgrade, who beat, of all teams, FC Bayern Munich on their way to Champions League greatness.  Although many soccer fans all around the world cannot remember this to save their life, if you ask almost any Serb, they are sure to tell you when every goal was scored, by whom, the names of the linesmen, and probably the average wind speed and direction during the game as well.

However,  the national scene can be very different, as the Balkan teams have made a strong showing during the World Cup qualifiers this past year (see exception: Croatia).  However we can excuse Croatia’s future absence in 2010 due to its strong performance in recent World Cups / Euro cups (see: 3^rd in WC ’98 and knocking off Germany in the Euro cup 08 easily).  Serbia won its group, beating out France for the top spot in addition to a couple absolutely convincing 5 – 0 victories.  Bosnia and Herzegovina took second in their group, falling only behind current Euro Cup Champs and arguably the world’s best squad Spain.  The national teams seem to have found their place in the international scene and will do nothing but push harder this upcoming World Cup.

Let us switch the focus back to specifically Germany.  As aforementioned, the Bundesliga is home to many of these stars from Croatia, Bosnia, and Serbia.  Some have been well known for some years, while some are up and coming and looking for more.  There is no doubt that if a Croat, a Serb, or a Bosnian can not only hang but stand out in the German league on one of the top teams, he is looking forward to possibly grab a bigger paycheck in La Liga or the EPL.  Here are some of the top players from the Balkans:

Edin Džeko, Wolfsburg

Only 23 years old, Džeko looks like he has belonged in the league for years.  He has four goals this year for Wolfsburg and has 38 total in 69 games.  With slightly more than a goal every-other-game, he is one of the most dangerous men in the Bundesliga today.  Any individual with any interest in the Bundesliga has heard his name repeated numerous times as he is taking the returning champions hopes as high as they can go.  His ability to finish and his fantastic knack for being at the right place at the right time are surely causing him to be watched by many others than die-hard Wolsburg fans.  He, alongside O. Martins, is part of one of the most potent offenses in the leauge.  Baring injury, look for him to add at least another 15 goals this season.

Zvjezdan Misimović, Wolfsburg

Slightly older than his Wolfsburg teammate Džeko, Misimović is a wizard on the soccer field.  A complete Maestro with the ball on a string, Zvjezdan’s play making skills are as complicated as his name is to say.  He, along with Džeko, is likely the biggest reason for the club’s success last year and continued success this year.  He has currently 4 goals as well, and plenty of assists.  Almost always either on or around the ball in every free-kick situation, he is able to serve his teammates or have a go at goal himself with a shot that caries both power and stunning accuracy.  With the game on the line, Wolfsburg can count on this play-maker to create something out of nothing.  Watch how simple he makes every play, move, and touch.  He is the engine that keeps this team in contention for another title.

Mladen Petrić, HSV

The well known Croatian forward is as deadly as anyone in the league.  He was loved in Dortmund (perhaps not anymore!) and has found a home currently in the Hamburger Sport Verein.  In my opinion this is a very good fit for him and the club, as both he and the club have a better shot at a title.  With Ze Roberto running things behind him, he has defensive support that was lacking before and hopefully use that confidence boost to raise his goal production, which is currently just under a goal every-other game.  Bringing a fantastic shot and good speed, this Croat is going to have even bigger shoes to fill with Ivan Klasnić all but ready for the museum in the national squad.  When playing well, he ranks top in the league.

Jurica Vranješ, Werder Bremen

A Croatian national middle fielder, Jurica has played over 175 games in the Bundesliga, beginning with Stuttgart in 2003 and moving to Bremen in 2005.  Almost always steady as either a starter or a substitute, Vranješ may not through point and point on the board, but he is dependable player with the skill and ability to give his team game-in and game-out a consistent chance to win.  He is among the handful of players on a squad that will not ask for much, but much is always asked for in terms of stability.  If you watch Werder and Vranješ is playing, you might not notice him, which can be the best sign of a consistent player.

Milivoje Novaković

The man from Slovenia stems from Olympia Ljubljana and has found a home in FC Cologne.  A Peter Crouch like forward, Novaković, or “Der Nova” as he is called by his fans in Cologne, simply dominates players in the air and finds a way to put the ball in the net.  He does not use speed or an extremely powerful shot, but actually has good feet and a nice touch when necessary.  He also is quite a strong two-sided player, as he is back defending on every corner or free-kick against his club trying to win a ball in the air and clear the ball out.  With Lukas Podolski now by his side, he can easily be overshadowed, but overlooking this almost two meter forward is far from recommended (if it’s even possible!).

Ivan Rakatić, Schalke

Ivan is in my opinion a breath of fresh air in the Balkan – German soccer world, and not just because he is one of the only Balkan players with a normal sounding name.  The 21 year old is especially impressive to me because, in part, I hate Schalke and yet I still like watching him play.  He has only played in five games this year, and I believe every time as a substitute, but has one goal and always takes advantage of the time he is given.  Rakatić plays on the outside in the Middlefield and uses his speed to literally run by his opponent.   Although he currently does not have much international experience, he has already been seen being substituted in for his home country.  This player can be summed up into one word: Potential.  Of course this is an exaggeration, but is he a David Beckham of Croatia one day?  I clearly do not know, but I cannot wait to find out.

Ivaca Olić, FC Bayern

Mr. Olić hails as well from the Republic of Croatia, and is one of the older, if not the oldest, Croat in the league.  He is probably hated in many parts of Germany for actually scoring against the German national team and leading underdog Croatia to a 2 – 1 toping of the favorite.  The former HSV and Moscow player was also very popular in his home country’s capital, Zagreb, as he was an offensive presence at Dinamo as well.  A true forward, Olić does his job: puts balls in the net.  He may not have the prettiest face and his first name looks, well, kind of like a girl’s, but I for one would not want to be the defender assigned to his side.

Gojko Kačar, Hertha BSC

Now I think I would get in quite a lot of trouble if I did not include at least one Serb on this list, and it’s a shame that Pantelić is no longer in the Bundesliga, but the young star from Novi Sad, Gojko Kačar, is a fine Serb replacement.  Gojko was a star on the U-21 team and now is one of Serbia’s best up-and-coming players.  The struggling Hertha has already received two goals from the young middle fielder this season and it is quite possible that Kačar will be asked of more as the season goes on.  He scored twice in the European League qualifier and will be part of a backbone of players that needs to start performing at their best if Berlin is to pull itself out of their current hole and have the first league remain in their future.

Well there you have it, a summary of some of the young (and not so young) faces from the Balkans making an impact in the German league.  Although they are jokingly referred to even today as Gästarbeiter (guest – workers), the Serbs, Croats, and Bosnians in the league are making an impact far greater than building highways or cleaning apartments.  The point being, that although their names sound reminiscent of every bad Rusky from some James Bond movie, if you know anything about geography, you would realize that at least every one of the Balkan counties is completely in Europe.

See map for clarification of difference between Russian and Balkan countries.

Now for a quick look at the top three matches coming up next week:

M’Gladbach:  FC Cologne

For those who do not know, this rivalry is one of the biggest, if not the best, in the Bundesliga.  M’Gladbach is currently second to last and will meet Cologne at home, who passed them in the standings last week.  With both teams struggling at the bottom of the table, the stakes are already very high, as three points for either club could spell the start of a tailspin dive for the loser.

Bayer Leverkusen:  BVB Dortmund

Dortmund looks to make it two victories in a row as it tries to separate itself from the bottom of the table and climb back up into championship contention.  They will meet stiff resistance however as Bayer has looked simply unwavering at times this season.  Leverkusen comes off a missed chance to take an outright lead in the league in points with a tie against HSV last week.  The pressure is on them to keep pace with the other top clubs and make sure that an upset does not happen in the small city.

Schalke:  HSV

A wonderful matchup in Gelsenkirchen is sure to happen when HSV comes to town.  Currently the squad from Hamburg has a two point lead and a loss to Felix Magath’s Schalke would allow them to be leapfrogged in one week and thereby becoming the chasers, rather than the chased.  This game could very well end in a draw, opening up the door for Werder, Wolfsburg, and Bayern to come through.  Although the M’Gladbach – Cologne game has the history, this is the game of current events.

Well that is all for now from my end.  Keep watching, please keep writing comments or write me emails directly as I enjoy responding to corrections, ideas, or questions.  If you noticed, the mighty boys in Nürnberg kept the pain train going through Berlin, as they took three points.  So as of now, I am all smiles.  Be sure to check all the World Cup updates, and follow the most beautiful game wherever possible.  Greetings from Berlin!

- Pete