Odmore in mire, Hrvoje.

Hrvoje Custic, the 24-year old striker for Croatian team NK Zadar died three days ago resulting from massive head injuries he sustained when he crashed against a concrete wall after slipping off the pitch during a game.

I felt weak after reading this horrific bit of news. It's really sad when you hear of athletes who die while playing the game they love. Sevilla midfielder Antonio Puerta also died in this current football season when he suffered cardiac arrest during a game against Getafe in the Spanish La Liga. Puerta, like Custic, suffered massive organ failure three days after the incident.

I love watching football regardless of what league and country. I don't get to watch much football from outside the major Euro leagues but I stay abreast through Four Four Two and World Soccer.

The Croatian kit may not be the best looking one owing to its goofy red checkers -- methinks they're the only side that uses the design -- but I like it. Maybe because outside France and Argentina, I like the Croatian team. Man, they were a rising power in Europe in the late 90's. It's a good thing that their game has picked up once more as they head into Euro 2008 brimming with confidence (more so after eliminating underachieving England).

But to Custic... rest in peace, man. Maybe you and Puerta can form a side up there.


This is the wall where Custic crashed into which is located in NK Zadar's home field of Stanovi Stadium. Two meters from the end of the pitch isn't any measure of safety.