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Last Update;
Date: 18/11/05 Best wishes
- Exclusive Davor Suker Interview
- SUKER FOR WEMBLEY
- Suker to consider his options
- Hammers face PSG challenge for Suker
- Suker sues Sevilla
- Suker so sorry for penalty blunder
Archieved Articles...(Coming Soon)
My name is Davor Suker. I play for Arsenal and Croatia, but I played for Real Madrid before moving to London. I was top scorer in the 1998 World Cup when I scored six goals and helped Croatia reach the semi-finals. I revealed that my biggest regret is missing a good chance to score against Tottenham.
Best player you've played with?
Diego Maradona. He's the best. I played with him for a year in Seville. I learnt a lot with him. Excellent technique, excellent control, speed - the best.
Best thing about being a footballer?
I always say you have a hobby and a job. I am a very lucky person to have football as both.
In Spain, playing for Seville, it was very difficult against Betis, so I'd have to say them. For Real Madrid, Barcelona was tough. I had 100,000 people booing me, so it is a very precious memory to know that I scored lots of goals against Barcelona.
Which part of your game needs improving?
My left foot is spectacular, but perhaps, my right foot needs a bit of work.
How do you relax after a game?
After a game, I usually go to the swimming pool and use the sauna. It's the best way to relax. If you win, it's easier to relax.
Best friend?
Many players, but also many people who don't play football. A good friend of mine is Julio Iglesias. I met him at Seville. I was seen once with Julio in Croatia after the World Cup. I'm very bad - fans had to wait for an hour while I spent time with him before he went to a concert!
Best Premiership goal?
You're expecting me to say Sunderland, right? Actually, it was my first goal against Aston Villa. Dennis Bergkamp flicked it on well and I poked the ball into the corner. It was great because it was my first goal for a new club.
What will you do after football?
I'll stay with football all my life. Maybe a FIFA agent. I could be a translator. I speak Spanish, Croat, now grammatically-not very good-English! Everyday is more better though.
Regrets?
In the Premiership, I missed a chance against Tottenham, and I know how the fans feel about games against Tottenham. So I will score in the next game against them.
Best manager?
ArseneWengeris something special. In the dressing room, Arsenal is a special club.
Highlights?
The World Cup is the best. Croatia is a small country with about eight million people. It was the first time in the World Cup, so to finish in 3rd place is great. Many countries play 20 times to reach that level.
Exclusive by Harry Pratt
Davor Suker took a pay cut to complete his dream move to the Premier League, but describes a trip to Wembley in the FA Cup as his ideal scenario.
While critics, fans and most professionals reckon the Championship should always remain the number one priority of any domestic season, the yardstick for stating that you were are best throughout the campaign, when you have won as much as the Croat, the desire is to taste something different – and a bit special.
And of course, Suker, League and Cup winner in Yugoslavia and Spain could always argue that it is little more than a week since the manager Arsene Wenger wrote off his side’s title chances.
He may need some cheering up too ahead of Tuesday’s home clash with Preston in the Worthington Cup, for the right to face either Middlesbrough or Watford in the fourth round.
For Suker this week returned fatigued and down after Croatia - the surprise package in each of the last two major international finals as they reached the last eight in Euro 96 and the semi-finals of France 98, losing to the winners both times - failed by a whisker to make Euro 2000 having drawn at home to bitter rivals on and off the pitch, Yugoslavia.
That confirmed the 31-year-old striker, who has been such a focal point of the his country's emergence from the depths of war onto the world football scene, will surely never again grace a Major finals.
Suker, who won the Golden Boot last summer in France as he pipped the likes of Ronaldo, Zidane, Del Piero and Bergkamp, explained his desire to go all the way to Wembley, saying: "I know the fans all think the League title is the best trophy to win but I must admit if I had to choose for myself it would be the FA Cup."
While the ex-Seville hitman, signed from Real Madrid in July, for a mere £1m only 12 months after he finished the leading scorer in the World Cup finals, has started life in fine form with his club, he has just suffered major disappointment at international level.
The 2-2 draw with deadly rivals Yugoslavia at the weekend means Suker is not going to grace a major finals one more time before the conclusion of his eventful adventurous career.
Missing out on the Euro 2000 play off place to Ireland by a point will take some healing for the fiercely patriotic Croats. From Suker to Goran Ivanivesic to the football fan in the street, the recent success of the football team has softened many hideous memories of the war with Serbia's President Milosevic.
"This game's very important for me - we have to win for Croat football and for Croatia," explained a not so laissez-faire Suker on his outward journey earlier in the week. "It's the first time we have played in Zagreb since the war. A lot of lives were lost there and many wives cry for their husbands, family and children. It's impossible not to think about it.
"I am a sportsman, I like football and I am not a politician but this game has many important stories for football and beyond. For some people this was the most important thing in their life. There have been many pressures then on us to do well. We need qualification to so the next generation can follow on from the success of 1998."
Most can only imagine the agony, pain and heartache felt by all in Croatia come the final whistle at the weekend. A serious sense of yet further injustice, no doubt, along with a complete lack if divine retribution.
Arsenal, though, may now receive even more returns for a small investment with international distractions disappearing fast.
It might spell bad news for the Premiership, and Europe. We all know the devastating impact the man can have when at the top of his stylish game.
So no matter whether it is Preston this Tuesday, Barcelona at Wembley a week later or the FA Cup third round opposition, Suker could prove their worst nightmare.
It could well be the time to take an early wager on the Gunners making Wembley for their second FA Cup final in three years and going on to win it with goals from Suker and Dennis Bergkamp.
They are certainly right in tune with one another when talking Wembley way and FA Cup dreams. For Bergkamp maintains exactly the same sentiments for lifting the Cup as his new partner. Although the Dutchman's missing out on 1998 through injury deepens desire.
"For me, the FA Cup is what I want to win most - even if the other tell me the Premier League is the most important," echoes Bergkamp.
See what I mean? These two appear to match up identical...don't bet against them doing so next May before the 100 million-plus global audience glued to their screens – or before then in the Worthington Cup final. When Sky Sports' pictures screen the last two domestic finals at football's original home as the present stadium plays host to the finals
one last time before mass reconstruction.
West Ham face competition from French side Paris Saint Germain in their attempts to bring striker Davor Suker to Upton Park. The Hammers have been heading the queue
for the Arsenal star since the Gunners decided not to take up an option to keep Suker at the club for a further year.
However, with PSG’s interest, Suker may be tempted to move abroad, although he is keen to remain in London. The Croation said: "I would like to stay in London and that will be a factor when I make my decision. I have no regrets about going there and I only wish that we could have won a trophy.
“The club was fantastic and so was the spirit within the club. I still think about my big error in the UEFA Cup Final when I missed a penalty. It was one of the poor moments of my career.
"The only frustration I suffered was that the team did not win a trophy. I wish we could have done that. I will spend the next two weeks thinking about the offers, including the one to stay in London.
Suker is being released by Arsenal despite an impressive scoring record, finding the net 11 times despite starting only 16 games.
His first goal in the victory over Sunderland, a majestic volley into the far post from the corner of the penalty area, was voted the Gunners third best goal of the season, behind two from Nwankwo Kanu.
Friday, June 14, 2002
Davor Suker is refusing to rule out one last hurrah with Croatia - despite the signs looking ominous for the veteran striker.
Suker was forced to sit and watch his side make an embarrassingly early exit from the World Cup, perhaps signalling an ignominious end to his international career as tournament debutants Ecuador enjoyed their first win.
After 63 disappointing minutes in the opening 1-0 defeat to eventual Group G winners Mexico, when Suker was wearing the skipper's armband, coach Mirko Jozic chose not to call upon the 34-year-old's services again.
The intention had been that this would be Suker's swansong with Croatia, who he gloriously led to third place at France 98 by grabbing six goals to earn himself the tournament's Golden Boot.
The last few days is not how the former Arsenal and West Ham forward, now with 1860 Munich, would have wanted to have brought the curtain down on his time with Croatia, for whom he has scored a phenomenal 45 goals in 69 appearances.
But as long as Jozic remains in charge, and that may not be for too long following such a disappointing tournament, then Suker's chances will be limited, if not almost non-existent.
The qualifying campaign for the 2004 European Championships remains a possibility for Suker, who is to weigh up his options while enjoying a break in Spain.
'As to whether this is my last appearance, I haven't yet decided, but first I will take a good, long rest, maybe in Barcelona or Madrid,' confirmed Suker. 'I will play another season for 1860 Munich and then after that I will return to Croatia, as well as spend some time at the house I am having built near Madrid.
'I just want to enjoy life now. I've enjoyed football, but I've not had much of a life.'
Then, perhaps indicating his days with Croatia are numbered, he added: 'I've had some good times and bad times with Croatia, and I have played with some good players throughout my international career.
'It would be easy to feel disappointed at not having played against either Italy or Ecuador, but I am now 34 years old and I realise there are much younger players in the team.
'I understand why the coach made the decision he did. Everybody has their moment, and I have had many good ones with Croatia.'
Suker was understandably disappointed to be heading home so early, although fellow striker Alen Boksic felt such an exit was deserved after Croatia blew their chance of reaching the last 16.
Croatia only have themselves to blame for suffering such heartbreak as they were an enigma throughout the group stages, as their brilliance in a 2-1 victory over Italy was sandwiched by some inept, lacklustre football.
With Italy being held to a draw at the Big Eye Stadium in Oita by Mexico, it meant a Croatian victory would have seen them through to the knockout stages.
But such was the Jekyll and Hyde nature of Croatia in the Far East, they again showed their ugly side in the International Stadium in Yokohama.
After being beaten by a sweet 15-yard left-foot half volley from Edison Mendez three minutes after the break, Boksic said: 'We had a great chance to go through, but we just didn't play well.
'We didn't play with any passion, particularly in the first half. It was if we didn't know what to do.
'Then after they scored their goal we found it very hard to play. But what are we to do? Football is like this and now we are going home - and we deserve it because we lost against Mexico and now we have lost against Ecuador.
'We might have played well against Italy, but that was just one game. In the World Cup you have to play good football all the time.'
Davor Suker has apologised to his Arsenal team-mates after missing from the spot in the penalty shoot-out in Arsenal’s UEFA Cup final defeat against Galatasaray.
The shot, his last for the club ahead of his departure in the summer, beat Brazilian goalkeeper Taffarel low to the left but crashed off the inside of the post.
Patrick Vieira also hit the woodwork before former Tottenham defender Gica Popescu drove home the winning penalty, the second successive time that a former player for the Gunners’ North London rivals has heaped misery on the Gunners in a European final.
Suker said: "Penalties were a great opportunity to win an important game like this. It's my fault that I didn't score that goal and this is one of the worst times in my football career.
"I am always confident with penalties. I have scored many of them before. But this was an important penalty and I didn't score it, which is my fault. I have apologised to the players for that.
"I know it's a terrible time for me and every player as everyone would have liked to win the cup but that's football. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose."
Suker is believed to be staying in London when he leaves Highbury and West Ham are strong favourites for his signature. Suker refused to fuel the fires of speculation, saying: "First, I need to get some sleep. Then I will need a little time to look at the future. I don't know at the moment."
October 31 - Croatian striker Davor Suker said here on Tuesday he had sued FC Sevilla for 50 million pesetas (255,000 dollars) which he claims the Spanish club owes him.
FC Sevilla vice-president Augusto Lahore said they had tried hard to find an out-of-court settlement with the striker, hero of Croatia's run to third place in the 1998 World Cup.
The West Ham player said: "Everybody knows I love Seville and I left them as much time as I could. At the end I still have not received anything. You have to understand that I played a whole year in 1996 without being payed.
"That strikes me as unfair and because of that the matter is now before the courts."
Suker, known as Sukerman for his goalscoring prowess, was at Seville from 1991 to 1996. The club was relegated to the Spanish second division last season.
Certainly one of the most complete strikers in the game. His instinct, self-confidence and technique make Davor Suker a world-class forward. He managed to show the world his skills during the 96 European Nations' Championships with a few exceptional plays. But what is less known, is that he is a true fanatic, who pushes professionalism so far as to tape, criticize and stock every goal he scores. At his house, an entire room is devoted to his football videotapes and books. In front of these tapes he learns the
talents and flaws of each and every goalkeeper he faces, so as to best plan his strategy for the next game. To put things plainly, the Croatian star is slowly but surely making football an exact science.