Joe Simunic: The best player Canberra has ever produced.

Who is Canberra’s most successful male footballer?

He speaks three languages, has business investments, and has played in two World Cup finals, a European Championships and week to week plays his football in the German Bundesliga with Hertha Berlin.

Joe Simunic. For my money he is the best Canberra has ever produced. He started life, like many other locals, local side Canberra Croatia, now called Canberra FC. Simunic, 29, currently has a five year contract with Hertha Berlin in Germany.
For many young players, Simunic is living the dream. A European football contract in a beautiful German city. It sounds ideal.

With the German league about to start, Simunic spoke from his home in Berlin.

“I loved my time at the AIS, with Ron Smith in Canberra. I’d come home from school and couldn’t wait to go training. That was maybe my best time,” reflects Simunic.

“I left for Ajax in Holland when I was 16. After three or four days I was home sick. After playing with Melbourne Knights I eventually went to Hamburg. I was better prepared because of my Ajax experience. But it was still a huge culture shock.”

“I’m Australian. Australian born. I love Australia. Aussies are so down to earth. Going to Hamburg, there was no more fun and games. Football is a business. You’re paid well, but it’s hard. There is a lot of criticism, no-one likes that, and if you don’t perform there is always someone else ready to take your spot.”

“If I could go back ten or eleven years and know what was ahead I would think long and hard about my decision to go and play overseas. “

“You have to be tough to survive.”

And they don’t come much tougher than Joe Simunic. World Cup games for Croatia in 2002 against Chirstina Vieri’s Italy, European Championship games in 2004 against Theirry Henry’s France and In Germany 2006 he was up against a Ronaldo led Brazil attack. He’s played at the highest level.

And of course there was that never to be forgotten day when Simunic lined up against his Australian friends in the 2006 World Cup. Croatia v Australia. 2-2. A great game.

Many people criticised you at the time in Australia for choosing Croatia, how did you see it?

“I am Australian, I’m proud of that. But I also feel Croatian. My Grandparents and Parents had a very tough time in Croatia. It was a long time ago. My parents came to Australia for a better life. I am so glad they came to Australia.”

“But I had to make a decision when I was young. Financially I would have been better to choose Australia, but my heart told me Croatia. There is no right or wrong decision.”

“I was criticised by some media, but I think it was overboard. I’d like them to say it to my face. But my family had no problems within Australia. People are respectful in Australia. Australia is an open society and I’ve always valued that.”

“The game against Australia was hard. Mark (Viduka) is a very tough opponent. Australia were fitter than us. They deserved to go through. I went to congratulate Ron Smith immediately the game was over. Then I went to the Australian dressing room and congratulated each player.”

“I was very disappointed to go out, but if a team had to beat us, I would want it to be Australia.”

International football never stops for Simunic. Simunic has just played against Gus Hiddinks Russia as Croatia attempt to qualify for Euro 2008 through a group that contains England. A side Croatia defeated 2-0 last year.

“We played 0-0 v Russia in June, and next up we have a friendly against Bosnia in September.”

Advice for young Canberrans?

“Well you need to stay healthy. Train and always have fun. It’s important to study and finish school. And try to get into the Representative sides, maybe the AIS. From there the A-League is a good way to go before you go overseas."

Will you stay in Germany?

“I’ve had offers form England before. All the players in Europe want to play in England at the moment. I’ll stay in Germany unless I could move to England, Spain or Italy. I’d like to play in England one day. But Berlin is a beautiful city so it’s good.”

Do you see yourself playing in Australia again?

“I’d like to. I have business investments in Canberra. My family are there. So I’d like to come home. The A-League is going well, so if there was an A-League side in Canberra, maybe. I’ll stay in football. It’s my life. Maybe I can give something back to younger plays when I finish.”

But before all that Simunic has at least four more years in one of the toughest leagues in the World. Not bad for a boy from Canberra FC.