ZAGREB, November 26, 2020 - Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic said on Thursday that the Arena Zagreb sports hall has been activated and equipped for the accommodation of COVID-19 patients.

"The Arena has been activated, mobilised and equipped. When it will become operational will be decided by medical professionals and the Health Ministry. It is intended for patients who have passed the worst stage of the disease. We will see when this will be, but it can be soon," Bozinovic told a press conference at which new measures to contain the coronavirus pandemic were presented.

He added that the Arena would accommodate hospital patients who had not fully recovered and who needed to spend some more time under medical observation.

Bozinovic said that regional government units could adopt additional measures provided that they were tighter than those adopted by the national coronavirus response team.

The Defence Ministry said on Thursday that army personnel were on standby to assist the public healthcare system in case of opening of the medical unit at the Arena Zagreb.

November 4, 2020 - The Arena Zagreb operating headquarters are ready to receive 100 COVID-19 patients with a mild to initial moderate clinical picture. They will be cared for by 60 nurses and technicians and 18 doctors.

Jutarnji List reports that the Arena will house patients with a milder form of the infection who need rehabilitation before being discharged home, head nurse Snjezana Krpeta told reporters on Tuesday after the presentation of the COVID hospital.

In the beginning, the Arena will be able to accommodate one hundred patients. Still, there is a possibility of expanding the capacity to 290, and it will cover the area of Zagreb and parts of the county.

Krpeta explained that only agreed patients will come to the COVID hospital, which means that the institution that transfers such a patient must arrange the transfer.

Patients will be admitted to the hospital according to a pre-established protocol. Thus, the ambulance that brings the patient to the counter will show their documentation; they will then receive a bar code bracelet, after which they will be picked up at the hospital by a doctor and a nurse who will triage them and place them in a hospital bed.

The center currently has 33 oxygen bottles, two bottles in the intensive care unit, and one in the admission clinic, and in the event of an expansion of the hospital, new staff and equipment are planned.

Krpeta said that KBC Sisters of Charity has currently provided 60 nurses and technicians, logistics that will change oxygen bottles, bring food and water and take away dirty laundry, and all other ancillary activities needed for a functioning COVID hospital.

She explained that people with milder forms of the infection would be accommodated in the hospital, and these are people who are not yet for discharge home but are not for KBC Dubrava either.

"These are mostly older people who still have other comorbidities, internist and surgical patients who have a harder time recovering and then they have extended care and treatment," Krpeta said, adding that these are people who will need basic health care and basic needs, like food and changing because they sweat a lot.

In the ambulance for patients, all needs were taken into account, and the civil protection provided enough disposable bottles of water for each patient. Showering places were provided for people who will not be unwashed or malnourished. Food will be packed in disposable boxes so that it can go to waste after use.

However, before the center opens, the chief sanitary inspector has yet to take a water and air sample.

Krpeta, who will lead the nursing section, claimed that they are fully medically and technically equipped, have enough workforce and necessary materials, including a handy laboratory and a pharmacy, and have 24-hour communication with the parent KBC Sisters of Charity.

The coordinator of the organizational headquarters for the construction of Arena Zagreb, Davor Vagić, said that 18 doctors would work on one hundred beds. Three doctors would be provided by the HV, seven by KBC Sisters of Charity. In comparison, the minister would appoint eight doctors.

Colonel and neurologist Berislav Dalic, who has completed four missions in Afghanistan, said the HV was happy to respond after receiving calls from the Sisters of Charity because they saw they could help with their experiences.

Igor Milić from the Directorate of Civil Protection said that everything needed by health professionals from the non-medical work is provided with colleagues from the Armed Forces. 

Minister of Health Vili Beroš said that the Arena would not be a health facility but an auxiliary health institution that will relieve the health system.

He thought about the idea and role of the Arena as a tertiary center, he said, with comparative analyzes of what was happening in the surrounding countries and reflections on what could happen in Croatia.

He explained that they are trying to think ahead and be a step, if possible, in front of this threat, and expressed hope that the Arena will not be operational, although now the numbers are much more serious, and it may be filled with patients.

He also pointed out that each of us can contribute to the Arena's capacity to be filled as little as possible.

The coordinator of the organizational headquarters for the construction of Arena Zagreb, Davor Vagić, thanked his team for making it possible in an incredibly short time, the civil protection and the Croatian Army, which participates logistically and with the work of medical staff.

To read more about coronavirus in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

As Novac writes on the 17th of January, 2020, the owners of the Arena Zagreb centre, the South African investment fund New Europe Property Investments (NEPI) has bought Delta City's Podgorica (Montenegro) and Belgrade (Serbia) shopping malls after more than half a year of complicated negotiations.

According to Blic.rs, this is not the first change in ownership of these particular shopping centres. Four years ago, a second South African investment fund, Hyprop Investment, which also owns City Centre One East and West in Zagreb, purchased it for 202.8 million euros from well known Serbian businessman Miroslav Miskovic.

Of the total, more than half of the cost, namely 127.8 million euros, was taken up by the purchase of the aforementioned Belgrade centre, while Montenegrin shopping centre was purchased for a much smaller price tag - 75 million euros in total, and Serbian businessman Miroslav Miskovic earned a massive 38.1 million euros on the transaction.

It's worth mentioning that back in 2016, the NEPI investment fund purchased the popular Arena Zagreb centre as well as 4.4 hectares of surrounding construction land from Zagreb Granite Polus Lanište for 237.5 million euros.

The price for the centre, which is the second largest shopping centre in Zagreb boasting more than 62,000 square metres in total, stood at a huge 218.5 million euros. The remaining 19 million euros was related to the purchase of the previouslty mentioned 4.4 hectares of construction land, which NEPI could use for future expansion of the centre or for the further development of different, separate facilities.

Otherwise, NEPI is majority owned by several South African companies and its shares are listed on the stock exchanges in Johannesburg, London and Bucharest. The focus of the company is expansion across the markets of transition countries in Europe, and they are already present in Romania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Serbia.

Make sure to follow our dedicated business page for much more.

October 23, 2019 - The men’s and women’s Croatia handball teams hit the court at Arena Zagreb on Wednesday for a friendly against Germany. The women's side drew, while the men's battle saw Germany win 25:26.

The female side was the first to play on Thursday, which resulted in a 21:21 draw against Germany.

This is a great result for Croatia, who was without their players from abroad and Podravka, and with seven debutants.

Croatia trailed behind Germany for most of the game - however, 45 seconds before the end, Kristina Prkacin scored the equalizing goal. Germany was unable to score until the end and the women’s Croatia handball side recorded an excellent result in their first appearance at the Arena.

The heroine of the game was goalkeeper Tea Pijevic who booked 15 saves. Four goals were scored by Dora Kalaus and Ivana Dežić, while Andrea Simara was 3/3. The best for Germany was Emily Bolk with five goals.

Recall, coach Nenad Sostaric is using this test match to prepare for EURO 2020 qualifications. 

The men's side met Germany directly after the women's teams drew. In a close battle, it was Germany to finish on top 25:26. 

After a draw in the first half, Germany led 16:20 in the second, though Lino Cervar’s side found a way back into the game. In the last attack, Croatia had a chance to equalize, but Sebetic failed to score.

Vlado Matanovic led Croatia with five goals, while Luka Stepancic and David Mandic each scored four. Sego recorded nine saves in goal. Tobias Reichman scored five goals to be the best for Germany. 

Recall, the men’s handball side is preparing for the European Championships, which begins on January 9, 2020, and is played in three countries - Austria, Norway, and Sweden. Croatia is in Group A to be played in Graz, along with Belarus, Montenegro, and Serbia.

Both Croatia handball teams head to Hanover for a rematch in three days. 

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

October 11, 2019 - A joint press conference of the men and women’s Croatia handball coaches was held ahead of the meetings against Germany in Zagreb and Hanover.

HRT reports that the women’s handball team will play first at the Arena in Zagreb on October 23, starting at 5 pm, followed by the men’s team at 7:30 pm. Three days later, the teams will meet in Hanover -  the men’s team at 2:30 pm and the women's team at 5:30 pm. 

Lino Cervar is preparing for the European Championships in Austria, Norway, and Sweden, and Nenad Sostaric is expected to continue the qualifications for EURO 2020.

“It is a meeting with a very attractive opponent, and I do not doubt that there will be a lot of support at the Arena. We envisioned this for two purposes - as a controlled gathering, a test of physical and mental abilities, as an extremely difficult Olympic year awaits us. We need to have conversations, familiarize them with the goals. And secondly, we want to see where these players are against a strong rival, as they are constantly with or close to the national team,” Cervar said, explaining: 

“Some are brand new, and we need to expand our base. Those not listed are by no means written off. Part of them opted out due to club or family responsibilities, and some are injured.”

Sostaric pointed out that there were a lot of changes in the lineup compared to the last gathering.

“Some of the handball players are injured, some of them asked for rest. It is a good opportunity for us to see those who play the Croatian Handball League, are constantly part of the roster, but have played little. Germany is one of the best teams in the world. It will be a good check anyway,” Sostaric said.

Both teams will gather in Zagreb at the Panorama Hotel on Monday, October 21, at 1 pm.

Croatia handball team (men's):

1.    Marin Šego – Montpellier HC

2.    Matej Ašanin – PPD Zagreb

3.    Moreno Car – Nexe

4.    Zlatko Horvat – PPD Zagreb

5.    Fran Mileta – Nexe

6.    Vlado Matanović – Gorenje Velenje

7.    David Mandić – PPD Zagreb

8.    Lovro Mihić – Wisla Plock

9.    Marin Jelinić – Nexe

10.    Željko Musa – SC Magdeburg

11.    Marin Šipić – PPD Zagreb

12.    Marino Marić – MT Melsungen

13.    Kristijan Bećiri – PPD Zagreb

14.    Marko Mamić – Leipzig

15.    Domagoj Pavlović – MT Melsungen

16.    Domagoj Duvnjak – THW Kiel

17.    Josip Šarac – Celje pivovarna Laško

18.    Luka Cindrić – Barcelona

19.    Igor Karačić – PGE Vive Kielce

20.    Matej Hrstić – PPD Zagreb

21.    Luka Mrakovčić – PPD Zagreb

22.    Luka Stepančić – MOL Pick Szeged

23.    Ivan Martinović – Hannover – Burgdorf

24.    Nikola Jukić – Chartres

25.    Ivan Slišković – Göppingen

26.    Leon Šušnja – Wisla Plock

Croatia handball team (women’s):

1. Tea Pijević – Lokomotiva

2. Magdalena Ecimović – Podravka Vegeta

3. Lucija Bešen – Sesvete Agroproteinka

4. Paula Posavec – Lokomotiva

5. Korina Karlovčan – Podravka Vegeta

6. Tena Japundža – Lokomotiva

7. Ana Debelić – Podravka

8. Ines Domjan – Koka

9. Sara Šenvald – Lokomotiva

10. Marina Glavan – Lokomotiva

11. Dora Lacković – Osijek

12. Selena Milošević – Podravka

13. Stela Posavec – Lokomotiva

14. Dejana Milosavljević – Podravka

15. Dora Kalaus – Lokomotiva

16. Lea Franušić – Podravka

17. Kristina Prkačin – Lokomotiva

18. Katarina Mrazović – Koka

19. Lea Vukojević – Zrinski

Call ups:

1. Mara Budić – Dugo Selo

2. Andrea Šimara – Lokomotiva

3. Nataša Miočinović – Umag

4. Josipa Kašelj – Lokomotiva

5. Josipa Mamić – Bjelovar

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page.

September 26, 2019 - Celine Dion has announced her first-ever concert in Zagreb next year.

One of the most famous and respected pop music stars in the world is coming to the Croatian capital!

Sound Report announces that organized by Star Production, Celine Dion will perform in at Arena Zagreb on June 5, 2020, as part of a major world tour to promote her latest studio release Courage. The tour kicked off on September 18 in Quebec.

The Courage World Tour will include more than 100 cities around the world, and in addition to Star Production, Concerts West / AEG Presents is in charge of the world-class production. The European leg of the tour will begin on May 23, 2020, in Lodz, Poland, and in addition to numerous cities in the UK and Germany, the celebrated music diva will visit and delight her fans in Belgium, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Austria, France, Italy, Finland , Sweden, Denmark, but also for the first time in Croatia, Malta and Cyprus.

Celine Dion is an international pop star who for decades has been known for her exceptional voice and catchy hits that are not forgotten. Therefore, I have no doubt that the concert on June 5, 2020, at the Zagreb Arena will hold a special place in the memory of all lovers of top music,” said Star Production director Alen Ključe. 

Last week, Celine Dion released three new songs from her long-awaited album Courage, which will be available worldwide from November 15, 2019.

The music spectacle and must-see concert is destined to be a sellout. Tickets for Celine’s show on June 5, 2020, at the Zagreb Arena can be purchased from Friday, October 4, 2019, at Eventim. Team Celine members can secure their tickets starting Monday, September 30, 2019, from 10 am.

To read more about lifestyle in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page.

Some good news about the fate of the European Handball Championship in Zagreb...for now. 

Croatian handball players defeated Slovenia to a packed Arena Zagreb last night.