WAR AND PACE
Rattled Croatians brand England talisman Harry Kane ‘slower than a snail’ ahead of World Cup semi-final showdown
Tabloid newspaper 24 Hours blasted the Three Lions skipper and expressed astonishment that he is Russia 2018’s top scorer
CROATIAN fans made a pathetic attempt to take the pace out of England’s march to World Cup glory — by branding Harry Kane “slower than a snail”.
Tabloid newspaper 24 Hours blasted the Three Lions skipper and expressed astonishment that he is Russia 2018’s top scorer.
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Sports writer Dejan Lovric’s “scathing” assessment came as England and Croatia gear up for Wednesday night’s semi-final showdown in Moscow.
But it was based on two games Harry played in for England’s Under-21s against Croatia four years ago.
The games were a two-leg play-off, held at Wolves’ ground Molineux and Vinkovci in Croatia, for the Under-21s’ Euro 2015 tournament.
Lovric sneered: “In Vinkovci he did not know how to get the ball — now he is the captain of England.
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“He puts the ball on his chest, loses the duel and falls to the turf. The ball ran away from him as if he were shovelling it.
“He decides to dribble but falls slower than a snail.
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“God, this tall Englishman has no idea, I thought watching England and Croatia match in U21 Euro 2015 qualifiers in Wolverhampton.
“Who is this poor reincarnation of Peter Crouch?”
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Lovric did not mention that Harry, now 24, scored a header in England’s 2-1 win in the first leg at Molineux.
There was also no mention that Spurs striker Harry played a starring role in the second leg — another 2-1 win.
The defeats knocked the Croatian side out of the U21 European Championships. England’s U21s, then managed by Gareth Southgate, went to the tournament in the Czech Republic — but failed to make it past the group stage.
But Lovric glossed over his own country’s poor performance. He said: “Things did not end well in Croatia, though Kane was, by the way, just average.
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“In the end he helped England to win with his performance in two games with Croatia with goals and assists.
“But this tall skinny assailant was nothing special.
“Four years after Vinkovci, Kane will again attack Croatia as captain of England, as the main man of this team."
Lovric also went on to moan that World Cup sensation Harry — the tournament’s top scorer with six goals — is now worth more than four top Croatian players combined, according to latest transfer market data.
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But England fans sprang to the Spurs superstar’s defence.
Accountant Tom Farmer, 30, from London, said: “The Croatians can say all they like about Harry’s pace — because our snail’s silver trail is going all the way to the World Cup final.”
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Crusader-costumed Three Lions nut Dex Marshall, 58, added: “He might not be lightning quick but he’s always in the right place at the right time.
“And Croatia will wish to God he was in their team when he gets a hat-trick on Wednesday.”
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England’s incredible World Cup run has seen them break a string of records — including their biggest tournament win after beating Panama 6-1.
But unsung hero Jordan Henderson has quietly smashed an England record of his own while becoming the backbone of the new-look national team.
Jordan, 28, has not ended on the losing side in any of his last 30 Three Lions matches — winning 23 and drawing seven. It means he has enjoyed the longest unbeaten run of any England player in history.
The Liverpool midfielder’s England teammate Eric Dier said: “I knew about that and I am sure Jordan is aware of it too — and long may it continue.
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“Jordan has had a fantastic tournament and his leadership skills are fantastic for the team.”
Rumours had spread that Henderson may be an injury doubt ahead of tomorrow’s game — England’s biggest in 28 years.
But the FA has confirmed that all 23 stars in the squad were fit and trained with boss Southgate.
Meanwhile, England’s Wags began the trek to Moscow from their St Petersburg base yesterday.
Harry Maguire’s fiancee Fern Hawkins spearheaded the charge, posting messages from an express train.
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But England’s Wags face a tough challenge themselves at the 81,000-seat Luzhniki Stadium — this time led by former Miss Croatia Ivana Knöll.
Ivana, 26, has followed Croatia’s progress to the semi-final sporting red and white chequered bikinis.
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