September 14, 2021 - Dinamo Zagreb is preparing to welcome West Ham at Maksimir Stadium on Thursday to open the Europa League group stage. 

West Ham United is playing in Europe for the first time in five years. The English club played in the competition last when they were led by Slaven Bilić and were shockingly knocked out in the play-offs by Romanian club Astra Giurgiu, reports 24 Sata.

West Ham is in the group stage of the competition for the first time thanks to finishing sixth place in the Premier League last season.

And their first stop? Croatia.

Dinamo, their first group stage opponent, plays in the Europa League group stage for the 14th time in the last 15 seasons.

Nikola Vlašić (23) will once again play against Dinamo in the Europa League group stage. Recall, Vlašić met Dinamo when playing with CSKA Moscow last season and lost at Maksimir. He made his West Ham debut in the draw against Southampton last weekend (0-0).

Spaniard Pablo Fornals (25) knows it won’t be easy, even though the Hammers are favorites for bookmakers (odds 2.25 at West Ham and 3.10 at Dinamo).

"We are playing away. It will be a new experience for all of us, and I hope that we will make all West Ham fans proud," Fornals said for the official West Ham website.

Coach David Moyes has hinted that striker Michail Antonio, who is excluded from the league game and has no right to play against Manchester United at the weekend, will play in Zagreb.

"Will I try other options? He can’t play against United, and you can look at it in several ways. I don't want Mic to be without a game for a few weeks, he played a little for the national team, but I will think about it," said Moyes.

Dinamo captain Arijan Ademi (30), the club's record holder with 87 appearances in UEFA competitions, does not believe that it will be a one-way street.

"With a full stadium, with our fans, with their great support, we can repeat Tottenham. Clearly, I am an optimist; what an athlete I would be if I were not an optimist. We believed then that we could get past the Spurs, and that faith brought us that result," said the captain and continued:

"I appeal to our fans to give us the support they know against West Ham. It means a lot to us on the field; fan support is a big motivator. The louder our fans are, the higher our percentage for success. So I hope they will fill Maksimir."

The match starts at 18.45 on Thursday and will be refereed by Frenchman Ruddy Buquet (44), who refereed Dinamo in their victory against Ferencvaros in Budapest in 2019 (4-0) and was the fourth referee against Neftči in Zagreb in 2011 (3-0). He also refereed the Croatia national team in a draw against Azerbaijan in 2015 (0-0) and victory in Finland in 2016 (1-0).

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ZAGREB, 14 Sept, 2021 - "NDH", a series of the Croatian Radio Television (HRT) about the Ustasha-ruled Independent State of Croatia, will start on Monday, 20 September and its author, historian Hrvoje Klasić, says it should have been aired much sooner, while the HRT rejects claims about deliberately not broadcasting the series.

"I only know that this series should have been finished much sooner. But it hasn't been. And that was not because of us as the crew, and it should have aired sooner. Again, not because of us, but because of the HRT," Klasić told Hina.

On the other hand, the public broadcaster's acting Director-General, Renato Kunić, said that no show had been deliberately not aired during his term as the director of programming and during his colleagues' terms.

He added that the NDH series was put on hold for several reasons. More specifically, an adequate schedule had to be found for the 12 episodes because that is three months of airing, and the programme budget has its rules, Kunić said.

He also said that the series cost about HRK 1.5 million and that the difference between the six episodes initially proposed by Klasić and the 12 realised episodes was about half a million kuna, and he stressed that this was a matter of assessment when to air the programme and not a ban, adding that the series was finished in June 2020.

Both Klasić and the HRT agreed that this was a long-awaited project in which about 30 members of the academic community and historians would talk about the NDH, and it would be illustrated by over two hours of film material on the NDH, purchased from the Yugoslav Film Archive.

Klasić underlined the valuable contribution of HRT's director and co-writer Miljenko Bukovčan and editor Iva Blašković.

Klasić: Series is neither ideological nor tendentious

"I would like to warn the viewers -- there are 12 episodes and this was not done in an ideological or tendentious way," Klasić said, adding that the series was not chronological but organised thematically.

"Everything that is said is enough to understand that moment -- the temporal, socio-political context, to understand what that state was and what kind of life its citizens had," he said.

The goal was not, he pointed out, to create a lexicon in which everything would be listed, but to give a description and an analysis of a time, and top experts from the entire region and Europe helped with that.

Klasić also explained his statement in Jutarnji List daily that "there are no conflicting opinions, but only because right-wing historians did not want to participate".

"When we talk about the NDH, there are no conflicting opinions among historians and scientists who care about their scientific reputation. Not among scientists in Zagreb, Belgrade, Sweden or in Washington," Klasić said.

Some have merely focused more on a particular period. Of course, there may be different opinions on how to approach the number of victims in Jasenovac or after Bleiburg, he added.

"However, when we talk about the character of the Ustasha-ruled state, the NDH, about the character of the Jasenovac camp or about what happened in May 1945, there is in principle no disagreement," Klasić said.

The series was shot on numerous locations, from the Vatican and Sachsenhausen, to Bleiburg and Jasenovac, Janka Puszta (Jankovac), but also Florence, where there is still the villa which Ustasha leader Ante Pavelić, Klasić said, got for his services in the future annexation of parts of the Croatian Adriatic as Mussolini's "man for special assignments".

Special episodes are dedicated to the economy and culture during the NDH, as well as the relationship between the Ustasha regime and the church.

"A large part of the series focuses on the relationship between the Roman Catholic Church and the Ustasha movement. Many say that the Church used the Ustasha, but I believe that it was vice versa and many historians agree on that. Alojzije Stepinac was not a war criminal but he definitely was not an example of antifascist resistance," said Klasić.

As for possible negative reactions to the series, Klasić said he expected them from those who "have been reviving the NDH for the past 30 years."

"It is to be expected because we live in a country where abnormal things have become normal, including the Ustasha salute, where about 20 streets have been named after members of the Ustasha regime and where there are associations that deny Jasenovac," Klasić said.

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September 14, 2021 - A Croatia Airlines Slovenia and Macedonia expansion is on the horizon as the national carrier looks to launch flights in both countries. 

Ex Yu Aviation reports that Croatia Airlines is looking to expand in the region, specifically to destinations in Slovenia and Macedonia. 

Namely, Croatia Airlines CEO Jasmin Bajić is looking to improve the connection between Zagreb and Ljubljana, with the potential for Skopje - Ljubljana - Zagreb flights as over 40,000 passengers flew between Macedonia’s and Slovenia’s largest cities before Adria Airways went bankrupt in September 2019.

Croatia Airlines and the Slovenian government spoke about launching operations from Ljubljana last year.

“Croatia Airlines is potentially interested in establishing flights from Ljubljana Airport to enable passengers from Slovenia to connect to European destinations,” the carrier had said.

"We have had some gain on the Slovenian market since Adria Airways’ bankruptcy where we offered certain solutions to react to the demand that was there. However, we had not added any flights to Slovenia because our hubs are nearby and we were more focused on our sales and marketing activities in Ljubljana at the time, which helped us significantly increase our market share in Slovenia," Croatia Airlines’ Head of Commercial Division, Slaven Žabo, said last year. 

Ljubljana Airport’s operator has also previously expressed interest in Croatia Airlines connecting Ljubljana with Vienna, Skopje, Prague, and Copenhagen. 

Furthermore, Ex Yu Aviation reported that the national carrier could launch to the Macedonian market after TAV Macedonia, the Macedonian Chamber for Tourism, the Croatian Chamber of Commerce, and the Croatian National Tourist Board spoke last week.

“If there is interest from Macedonian tour operators and partners, we are ready to expand our cooperation onto routes other than Zagreb and Skopje, like perhaps Ohrid and Split," said Jasmin Bajić. Talks initially happened between the two countries already months ago. 

“Road connectivity is not satisfactory, which is why new airline routes would be a big step forward. For example, I believe flights between Ohrid and Split would be of interest to tourists, so they could visit both countries within a few days in one go," said TAV Macedonia’s Marketing and Revenue Manager and Macedonian Chamber of Tourism President, Vladimir Gramatikov. Over 3,000 passengers flew indirectly between Skopje and Split in 2019. Croatia Airlines also handled 74,590 passengers between Zagreb and Skopje in 2019 on 996 flights.

Croatia Airlines also plans to add between 12 to 15 aircraft to its fleet based on its post-Covid strategy. 

Follow the latest flights to Croatia HERE and the latest travel updates and COVID-19 news from Croatia HERE.

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September 14, 2021 - On September 18 and 19, Grobnik Racetrack near Rijeka will host Euronascar!

Last year was historic for Croatian motorsports, despite all of the complications due to COVID-19. Croatia hosted the WCR and NASCAR GP. The opportunity was accepted phenomenally because the events justified all expectations, and in fact, even exceeded them. As a reward, Croatia has been confirmed to host Nascar and WRC in the coming years, reports HRTurizam.

Thus, in one year, Croatia positioned itself on European soil as new motorsport and tourist destination.

"We are delighted with the agreement reached on long-term cooperation with Automotodrom Grobnik (Grobnik Racetrack). We found a fantastic place for NASCAR GP. It is located by the sea, on the beautiful Croatian "Riviera," the track is wonderful, and the drivers were thrilled with it. We found very motivated, dedicated partners in the employees of Grobnik Racetrack. There is great interest in NASCAR races in the area, and everyone has worked wonderfully together to organize the first NASCAR race there. The southeastern part of Europe is a new area for us that we are just discovering, and we have definitely found a new home in Croatia for EuroNASCAR. Also, we want to work with local federations and other partners to develop drivers from the region; there are many talents we need to discover. This is a very positive step for the future," said Jerome Galpin, President of the Nascar Euro Series.

"I hope that in the second year, the pandemic will not force us to close the facility to the public again because the interest of the audience exists. Except from the point of view of sports, this event can make a significant contribution to the development of Croatian motorsports and tourism," added Robert Žiković, a member of the Automotodrom Grobnik Management Board.

Such global events are certainly an excellent motive for coming to Croatia. In this case, we are talking about millions of octane sports enthusiasts, as well as a large number of visitors following Formula 1 or sporting events or the Ultra Festival around the world. Thus, the motive of arrival, in addition to the race itself, allows Croatia to impress tourists and give them an incentive to return, this time in the role of a real tourist.

They also generate large tourist consumption, which is dispensed with many industries, from the diversity of the technical organization itself, accommodation, catering facilities, transportation, and more.

For example, at the recent Formula 1 event in Budapest, all spectators had to show proof of vaccination or recovery to validate the purchased ticket, without which you could not enter the track - Hungaroring). The race gathered about 110,000 spectators who stayed in Budapest for up to five days.

When looking at the positive impact of the WRC on destinations, we can use 2019 as a reference. Thus, in 2019, the WRC races were watched by 836 million spectators, with 4.3 million spectators along the tracks. Studies show that the direct spending of followers, organizations, and teams during the 2019 Rally in Portugal exceeded 73 million euros. But, of course, the positive impact is much wider.

By comparison, NASCAR in Europe can be compared to Formula 1, while the WRC is the most-watched octane sport in the world after Formula 1. This is because it all revolves around Formula 1 setting the standards.

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September 14, 2021 - KK Split tops AEK for its first European victory in 17 years! A look at the Basketball Champions League qualifiers.  

At the Peristerija hall in Athens, KK Split defeated Cypriot team AEK 65:50 (13:11, 15:12, 13:16, 24:11) in the 1st match of the qualifications for the Basketball Champions League.

It was clear that Split was the better team from the first minute, and it was only a matter of time before they broke away for the lead. The last quarter was crucial when Srđan Subotić's team made it 50:39 to end all of AEK's hopes. The best scorer for Split was Karlo Žganec with 15 points, Toni Perković added 13, and it is necessary to emphasize the minutes of captain Mateo Kedžo. 

"We are happy to win, especially since we went to Europe after so many years. It was obvious that nervousness was present and that the match's importance was felt, although we did not have any external pressure. We put pressure on ourselves; we wanted to win, this means a lot to us. In the most important moments, we played as we should have," said Split coach Srđan Subotić, who won his first match on the KK Split bench.

He commented on Kedžo's game.

"Kedžo scored a few points in the critical minutes of the first half, and in the second half, he had great cooperation with Žganec. He showed that there is still "oil in the candle,"" says Subotić.

Split's opponent in the 2nd round will be the champion of Switzerland, Friborg. The match will be played on Wednesday, at 4.30 pm. The winner will advance to the decisive match for entering the Champions League.

"We will analyze this match, then additionally Friborg. We hope for a better game, and I believe that we can go further," concluded Subotić.

Split: Perković 13, Perasović, Kedžo 4, Runjić 4, Žganec 15, Vuko 7, Čampara 9, Bajo 6, McLean 2, Barič 5.

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September the 14th, 2021 - The Croatian Government has launched a project to comprehensively renovate Banski dvori, the project comes with a hefty price tag valued at a massive 155.1 million kuna.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, given the fact that Banski dvori is a protected cultural asset, the Croatian Government used the opportunity to co-finance part of the renovation of the building with money from the European Union Solidarity Fund, which are funds available to the Republic of Croatia to help restore the earthquake-damaged cultural heritage.

The government has initiated the procedure of the public procurement of project-technical documentation and the complete renovation of Banski dvori, and it is clear from the tender documentation that the renovation project is being divided into two phases.

In the first phase, which will last for half a year, works on the construction of Banski dvori will be carried out and that part of the project will be co-financed by grants from the European Solidarity Fund. The second phase of the renovation of the Government headquarters building will last for two years from the date of signing the contract with the contractors engaged for the job.

During the works, all installations will be reconstructed (electrical installations, plumbing, sewerage…), the kitchen and restaurant on the ground floor of the building will be renovated, as will some of the ceremonial halls located on the first floor, and office spaces will be arranged in the attic. The Banski dvori building will also finally be fully adapted for people with mobility difficulties, which has been a long time coming.

Sanitary facilities adapted for people with disabilities will be properly and fully arranged, additional elevators will be installed, and the entrance part of the building will be adapted for people with mobility issues, as will all other parts of the renovated Banski dvori.

During the renovation process, the inner courtyard of the palace will be arranged, an irrigation system for the garden will be introduced, the fountain will be repaired, and wooden structures at the ceremonial entrance to the Palace will be restored, Jutarnji list writes.

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September the 14th, 2021 - The topic of new Croatian euro coins is being intensively discussed among all involved parties as Croatia's entry into the Eurozone edges ever closer.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, a memorandum of understanding was recently signed by the Executive Vice President of the European Commission Valdis Dombrovskis, the Commissioner for Economy Paolo Gentiloni, the President of the Eurogroup Paschal Donohoe and the Governor of the Croatian National Bank Boris Vujcic.

A memorandum of understanding between Croatia, eurozone members and the European Commission on the start of production of new Croatian euro coins and preparatory activities before the start of production was signed on Friday, after a meeting of Eurogroup leaders in Brdo near Kranj, the Croatian National Bank and the European Commission both reported.

The agreement regulates issues related to the preparatory activities for the introduction of the euro in the Republic of Croatia, which includes the production of a certain amount of test euro coins. The topic of Croatia's entry into the Eurozone has been overshadowed over the last eighteen or so months by much more pressing matters, including the state of the economy as a result of the ongoing global coronavirus pandemic, but plans are still very much being made.

The CNB statement states that on the basis of this memorandum, Croatia can start with its Eurozone preparatory activities, meaning it can now start drafting a detailed scenario for the changeover to the euro in the country, the proper preparation for the distribution of brand new Croatian euro coins, the withdrawal of the kuna as the national currency and the visual selection of the Croatian national side on new euro coins.

It can also start with the implementation of technical preparations for the common side of the new euro coins, the preparation of a production plant for the production of euro coins, the procurement of plates for minting euro coins as well as the procurement and production of tools for minting those same coins. Finally, the country is free to start making test copies of Croatian euro coins.

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September the 14th, 2021 - While the International Monetary Fund (IMF) predictions for Croatian economic growth in 2021 are optimistic, it's worth noting that Croatia had no only the coronavirus pandemic to deal with, but two devastating earthquakes, too. Both lead to a drop in economic activity of eight percent last year.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, the Croatian economy has been exposed to enormous levels of stress caused by numerous factors over the past eighteen or so months, but it is showing resilience and its strong recovery is predicted for both this and next year, with GDP growth of 5.4 and 5.8 percent, members of the IMF Mission said in a closing statement issued on Friday.

"For 2021 and 2022, a strong recovery is projected with Croatian economic growth of 5.4 and 5.8 percent, respectively, driven by the recovery in the services sector, assuming the realisation of two thirds of tourist arrivals from 2019 in 2021 and their almost full recovery in 2022, and investments that will be driven by large inflows of grants from the EU in the medium term. In the medium term, GDP growth is projected to slow down to around three percent,'' the IMF mission said in a statement at the end of their visit to Croatia which takes place as part of regular consultations held with member states under Article IV of the IMF statute.

The IMF recalls that the coronavirus pandemic and two devastating earthquakes led to a decline in economic activity of 8 percent in 2020 in Croatia due to reduced domestic and foreign demand, with a particularly large decline in tourism revenues, amounting to about 60 percent annually.

However, they also point out that generous support for fiscal and monetary policy, along with appropriate easing of supervisory requirements, has helped mitigate the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

At the same time, they note, Croatia's financial position was somewhat eased by EU funds, which financed most fiscal support measures, and the CNB intervened in the foreign exchange market and eased tensions in the domestic bond market by buying government securities in the amount of approximately 5, 5 percent of GDP and lowered the reserve requirement and conducted repo operations.

Markets calmed down, especially after the establishment of a swap line with the European Central Bank (ECB) in mid-April 2020. They also referred to inflation, estimating that it is still low despite the recent increase, and they have also forecast its stabilisation at the level of 2 percent in the year 2023.

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