Unfortunate results from our Croatian representatives in the Europa League playoffs last night as Dinamo, Hajduk, and Osijek will not advance to the group stages of the competition.
On Thursday, August 24, 2017, Dinamo, Hajduk, and Osijek each played their return match of the Europa League playoffs to determine who would advance to the group stages of the competition.
Here is a recap of last night’s events.
Skënderbeu v Dinamo Zagreb (0-0) at Elbasan Arena, Elbasan, Albania
Dinamo Zagreb failed to score in the Europa League playoff rematch in Albania, playing 0-0 against Skenderbeu which advanced the Albanian team to the group stages of the competition.
After Dinamo and Skenderbeu played 1-1 at Maksimir last week, all Dinamo needed last night was a win or a minimum 2-2 draw. Even though Dinamo played with a man up from the 79th-minute after Nimaga’s second yellow forced him off the pitch, Dinamo still struggled to find the back of the next.
This is the first time that Dinamo Zagreb will not advance to the group stage of the Europa League competition since the 2006/07 season.
Hajduk v Everton (1-1) at Poljud Stadium in Split
Hajduk and Everton drew 1-1 at Poljud in Split, playing in an atmosphere unlike the stadium has seen in years.
Hajduk was the overall better team, and a strike from Hajduk’s Radošević in the 42nd minute put them in the lead before the half. The game was 1-0.
Within the first minute of the second half, Everton’s Sigurdsson lofted the ball from 35-meters out, miraculously finding the back of the net over Stipica's head. The score was now 1-1.
Hajduk was given a penalty in the 64th minute after Erceg was fouled in the box. Hajduk’s Said jumped up to take the penalty which was unfortunately defended by Everton keeper Pickford.
The game ended 1-1 which advances Everton into the group stage of the competition after they won 2-0 at Goodison Park.
Austria Wien v Osijek (0-1) at NV Arena, Sankt Pölten, Austria
Even though Austria Wien suffered a 0-1 defeat from the Croatian side in Sankt Pölten last night, their 0-2 win over Osijek in Croatia last week advanced them to the group stage of the competition.
The first half ended 0-0 while both teams had plenty of missed opportunities. In the second half, Gabrijel Boban's stunning strike put Osijek in the lead in the 62nd minute.
Unfortunately, Osijek failed to find the back of the net again, and Austria Wien will advance to the group stage of the competition.
