September 28, 2019- Marijan Kustic was spotted in Split again. The HNS executive director leads the team in charge of organizing the highly anticipated Croatia-Hungary match at Poljud, and preparations are in full swing.
Slobodna Dalmacija caught Kustic ten days before the spectacle to see if everything was going according to plan.
“Arrangements have entered the technical phase, related to security and ensuring all the preconditions for the great spectacle that awaits us. Nothing is out of the ordinary.”
Will security be especially emphasized?
“Everything is going at the usual pace, as is usually the case with big games like this. We conducted a series of interviews and agreements with representatives of the Police Department and the Police Directorate, as well as security companies. HNS always insists on the highest level of preparation regarding all aspects of the organization, including security.”
Rumor has it that Hungarian President Viktor Orban will also be in attendance?
“At this moment, we are not able to provide such information, but when these games are at stake, it is common and expected that political leaders come. Sandor Csanyi, president of OTP Bank, which has its bank in Split, and sponsors of Hajduk, should also attend.
Accordingly, we can also expect President Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic, and Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic.
I would not announce anything, and I would like to focus on the massive interest of our fans, who generally rule this game.”
Is Kustic surprised by the incredible interest of Split?
“Everyone at HNS and the people involved in the organization are genuinely delighted that Split and Dalmatia have embraced the arrival of our team at Poljud. Honestly, we all hoped for it together, but that the stadium would be sold out in a day or two, it still exceeded my optimistic expectations. And because of that, we look forward to this great game with even more impatience.”
How many tickets were actually sold?
“The capacity is about 33,000 tickets, but the interest was so high that we would sell twice as many tickets if we had the capacity. If tickets were only for sale online, they would be gone in three hours! It’s good that there were old-fashioned sales, too, so the people of Split had the opportunity to get these valuable tickets live. Poljud is sold out.”
How many tickets were set aside that didn’t go on sale to the public?
“It is logical that for the needs of the staff and football players, a small portion of the tickets was set aside. But it is a negligible figure. I tell you, we were pleasantly surprised by the interest, Dalmatia and Split want the Croatia national team. They can hardly wait! This gives everyone in and around HNS the right to be optimistic in the future. I must point out here that this is proof that the HNS Executive Board made the right decision when it decided that Croatia would come to Split. Dalmatia wants the Croatia national team at Poljud!”
Will there be a lot of security around and at the stadium?
“Tickets are personalized and we can announce today that it would be good to get to the stadium on time. Ticket holders will also need to show their ID and ensure that their last name matches the one on the ticket. I invite everyone to follow the instructions of the organizers and the police, so that everyone can enjoy the football and sports spectacle that awaits us together.”
What does Split Mayor Opara have to say?
“We are negotiating everything with the City and everything is flowing normally, without interruptions. On behalf of HNS, the national team and all of us, I would like to thank the Mayor and his associates who are available to us.”
No financial terms have been published?
“It is important to emphasize that HNS bears all costs of the organization. And we are happy that as a Federation we have the conditions to bear such costs. Finances are always important, but this is a match that is more than that and every kuna that is invested makes sense and will be well invested and will be returned not only financially but also intangibly.”
Supposedly, Split is receiving about half a million kuna from the Federation?
“The city will receive its financial part, but the city will receive much more. It will be the center of Croatia that day, gathering tens of thousands of people. The accommodation, the venues, the restaurants, they will all be full of work. One has to look at events like this much wider than the match itself.”
There was a lot of talk (or quarrel) about the arrival of the national team in Split, at Poljud, mostly because of the situation with Hajduk.
“The decision, you see, turned out to be good, a big hit. People want Croatia in Split. The choice of the HNS Executive Board, with which I share the view, is that the national team travels to Croatia and thus to Split. These are all our cities, they have played and will play in Osijek, Varazdin, Rijeka, Pula. Only one game in the qualifying cycle was played in Zagreb against Azerbaijan, and the rest throughout Croatia. So we came to Split. And we will again! This is just the first in a new series.
Have HNS and Hajduk turned a new page?
“All of us at HNS are genuinely trying to bring in a lot of energy to make things right and to start normalizing all relationships. Is it any more normal than having the national team play at least one official qualifying match in Split? I would also like to thank the HNS Executive Board for making this decision and supporting everything. The tickets are sold out and I am convinced of the spectacle!”
Is Hajduk still not involved in the organization of the match?
“They are not and we regret it. I'm sorry that Hajduk stayed out. The national team is sacred and I would not interfere with the Federation when it comes to the national team. But I'm optimistic by nature, so I'm always looking forward. We raised certain issues in our discussions with Hajduk. I believe that the normalization will continue when the match against Hungary is over. And some good things will remain for Hajduk after this game, even though they are not participating in the organization.”
Does Hajduk still have a chance to be involved in organizing the game against Hungary?
“They are always welcome, certainly. But I don't think that's realistic to expect now. It is their decision and I am sorry that they feel that way, which I have already mentioned. I emphasize that our doors will always be open for cooperation between Hajduk and all other clubs. At this point, the audience's interest in the match is what thrills me. The interest is such that we would sell out three Poljud stadiums!”
And what happens when the game against Hungary ends?
“Talks with Hajduk on all outstanding issues are continuing, the story remains, and the team will come to Split again. We want this to become the rule so I can say that we will see you in Split in the next qualification cycle. We will not stop now. We will continue to play all over Croatia, and we will be at Poljud again.”
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