Golden Soft Sombrero Moment with Josip Skoko

Some Golden Soft Sombrero Moments with Josip Skoko

Skoko on Belgium footy…

Diegos: “For many years Belgium was the first stop over for many Aussies footballers wanting to make it big overseas.

Aussies such as Eddie Krncevic, Paul Okon and Frank Farina still hold legendary status not only for their Belgium beer drinking but also their footballing ability in the country.

You're in your first full season playing in Belgium after having transferred from Hadjuk Split in Croatia and you've got a pretty big reputation to maintain.

How are things going both on the pitch and more importantly in the beer houses?”

Skoko: “Things are going pretty well at the moment and I’m not referring to the beer houses either because we are just out of pre-season.

We’ve got our first game on the weekend. Whilst personally things are going well the team itself is struggling a little in the league so we are hoping to improve on that.”

Soft Sombrero Moment 2001

Skoko on playing professional overseas…

Diegos: “You are one of the few Aussies who have made it overseas without playing in the Australian National league.

How tough was it to leave your home and family to go overseas to Croatia to play football as a teenager?

Skoko: “When I moved over to Croatia the country was still at war. It was a risk but I had advice from good sources that there wasn’t any trouble where I was going.

On leaving Australia before playing in the NSL, if I had my time again I definitely wouldn’t do the same thing again. I went into it blind. Having said that I had a lot of luck and things went very smoothly for me at Hajduk.

I definitely recommend young players to firstly come through the NSL and get a few seasons under their belt before making the move.

It’s tough not seeing your family. You’re away for six months at a time and you just communicate over the phone. You end up losing touch with a lot of people but I guess that’s all part of the job. When I do come back I intend on making up for all the time lost.”

Soft Sombrero Moment 2001

Skoko on good old Croatian sausage…

Diego: “What do you do to get some good old fashioned homemade Croatian sausage over there in Belgium?”

Skoko: “Actually there are a few places I can go in Genk and Brussels if I have a craving. So it’s good it that respect.”

Soft Sombrero Moment 2001

Skoko on his proposed move to Italy…

Diegos: “The reports were that your performances in Croatia for Hadjuk Split were so good that Italian Serie A club Fiorentina had their scouts watching you very closely with the view of signing you.

Obviously you've ended up in Belgium instead.

Was it the trench coats and violin cases that put you off or is a move to Italy still on the cards?

Skoko: “I don’t know about the violin cases. I think their interest came about after we played two games against them in the UEFA cup and we really did well.

I’ll be definitely looking to make a move later down the track to a bigger league, not necessarily Italy. I’m always looking for new challenges and bigger opportunities.”

Soft Sombrero Moment 2001

Skoko on Genk…

Diegos: “Now don't take this the wrong way but the Diegos reckon that the club name - Genk is an unfortunate one. It's too similar to the term Geek for our liking.

In English football terms are they the Liverpool or the Bradford City of Belgium footy and have you talked to the club about a name change?

Skoko: “They can’t really change the name of the team because that is the name of the city.

At the moment we’re not doing too well but we’ve got a fairly good team. We won the Belgium Cup with the same squad last year and we are again doing well this season so hopefully we can add a bit of respectability to our season by doing well in that competition at least.”

Soft Sombrero Moment 2001

Skoko on playing for Australia…

Diegos: “In a climate were there's a question mark over the desire of many Aussies abroad to pull on the Green and Gold, you stand out as a bloke who seems to jumps on a plane whenever asked and with no fuss or bother turn up to play for the Australia.

From the Diegos point of view it's great because it's the only opportunity we get to see you play and butcher someone in the name of Australia.

How important is it for you to play every game you possibly can for your country?

Skoko: “Its definitely one of the most important things for me. In the end everything leads to the World Cup and the more games that we can get together the more better off we’ll be.

Not just that but as I’ve said before I never played in the NSL and not too many people have had a chance to see me in Australia so this is a great opportunity for me to play in front of my family, friends and the Aussie crowd.”

Soft Sombrero Moment 2001

Skoko on marriage…

Diegos: “In the biggest event to hit ‘Sleepy Hollow’ since Prince Charles attended Geelong Grammar, you got married to your sweet heart Ivana just recently in your hometown of Geelong.

It wasn't quite as big as David Beckham and Posh Spice wedding but our spies tells us it came close.

How good was it to come home and share the big day with family and friends and at what stage did you tell Ivana that you are going to commence your married life in Belgium - the rain and sleet capital of Europe?”

Skoko: “Yes it was fantastic to come home for the occasion. I had a really nice time leading up to the day and the day itself was fantastic. There are no words to describe it.

As far as living in Belgium I think I’ll keep that one quiet for a while.”

Soft Sombrero Moment 2001