#fc basel

Shaq coming home feels so full circle and yet...

day 1 of 30 - first meeting

04.07.2006 - the first (known) meeting of Rakitić and Modrić in the match between FC Basel and Dinamo Zagreb.

The scoreline of the friendly match ended up being a draw 2-2, with Vugrinec and Da Silva scoring in the first half and (comedically) with Petrić and Rakitić scoring in the second half to even the game.

Both Petrić and Rakitić started their international careers in the Switzerland team, with the first joining Croatia in 2002 and the latter in 2007. Though it hasn’t been said, I like to think Raketa’s decision to join the vatreni was partially influenced by this match :-)

An overview of the match, according to this FCB forum: After the match, the 18-year-old Rakitic was enrounded by Croatian supporters and journalists. On one hand, because the Croatian-Swiss double citizen was the man of the match with a goal and an assist. On the other hand, because the Croatian NT leaders compete for the services of the midfielder. "But I won't let myself be pushed," said the Swiss U19 national player Rakitic. Because the joy of his first goal for the FCB prevailed with him. "First, I want to assert myself at the FCB."

Assert himself he did, receiving the Swiss Goal of the Year award for his goal against St. Gallen three months after this meeting. Before joining Schalke in 2007, he had already scored 20 goals in his proffesional career, but more on that on another time.

Additional info below: