September 5, 2201 - Croatia defeated Slovakia in their second match of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers this month, taking a crucial 3 points to keep first place in the group. 

After beating Slovakia in Bratislava, Croatia coach Zlatko Dalić said he was proud of the team's performance, primarily of the strong engagement of the players during the demanding away game.

With the triumph in Bratislava, Croatia kept first place in the group before the third consecutive September match in the qualifications for the World Cup in Qatar next year.

"Congratulations to our players on three points, but they deserve even greater congratulations for the energy, fighting spirit, and perseverance, which they showed throughout the game. That ultimately rewarded them with a victory. We played aggressively, combatively, compactly, trying in every way to score a goal. Unfortunately, we did not succeed, mostly because of a good, compact, and aggressive opponent, but also because of the really desperate terrain, which was a big problem for us. However, we took three points, did what we came to Bratislava for," says the coach Zlatko Dalić, whose team secured important points in the very end.

"We wanted to put pressure from the beginning of the game with three fresh players, highly raised Ivanušec, Čolak, and Oršić, because the field was terrible, and we knew that Slovakia likes to play over the backline. So we tried to be aggressive in that context and knew that we would give a chance to fresher, more rested players in the second half. Unfortunately, we didn't find the back pass and a real shot from a cross in the second half either, and the field really had a great impact on the game. And then, when the 80th minute came, I was afraid that we might be punished, In the end, we scored a goal."

After the game, the coach greeted Croatia fans in the stands.

"We should thank the people who managed to come to the game through some of their channels and support Croatia. It's really nice, I thank them for coming, and I think we made a nice base for Split and Poljud. I hope that the stands will be full."

Dalić spoke about the stressful period after the Euros: 

"It's hard and stressful, it's not easy, but people from my staff, who are very active, help me a lot. Ladić was at the matches between Slovenia and Slovakia and Slovenia and Malta, and with me are Olić, Ćorluka, and Pletikosa. We try to be even more compact and better, correct some of our mistakes and the pressure… I don’t follow, and I don’t watch, I do the best I can, and I can’t ban stories and comments; everyone has a right to them. I am glad that the players accept everything we agreed on in the meeting, and how they fought today is proof of how much they care and confirmation that the atmosphere is much better now. We have made a huge step forward without Luka Modric."

Up next is Slovenia in Split.

"I hope that we will take three more points against Slovenia and that in this September part of the qualifications we will get what we were looking for, a positive atmosphere and a big step forward. Here, look at the team that played today… All national team players play in their clubs, they are in shape, they have consistent playing time. That was very important. This game is a real indicator that we are on the right path, and there is no reason to give up. True, some players played both games, Juranović, Sosa, Brozović, Kovačić. However, it feels like Vlašić is a little tired. We will have to think about changes because it is difficult to expect all these players to be at the same level in the third game in a week." 

Another big winner in Bratislava is Ivica Ivušić, who replaced the injured Dominik Livaković in goal and saved Croatia on several occasions.

"I have to praise Ivušić; he pulled us out of some situations. He has constantly been defending for Osijek for two years. He is the most standard goalkeeper in the HNL. How did we decide between Ivušić or Sluga? The goalkeeper's coach Marijan Mrmić decided, and we supported his decision. In any case, Ivica bought a place in the national team with this match," concluded Dalic.

Source: HNS

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September 4, 2021 - In their second 2022 World Cup qualifier this month, Croatia beats Slovakia 1:0 in Bratislava.

After drawing to Russia in Moscow, the Croatia national team met Slovakia in Bratislava as part of the most demanding mini-cycle in these 2022 World Cup qualifications.

The starting lineups were released an hour before the match, which saw as many as five changes for Croatia. It was announced that starting goalkeeper Dominik Livaković would not be able to play tonight's match, and is questionable against Slovenia, with Osijek keeper Ivica Ivušić taking his place. Dalić also opted for Ivan Perišić, Andrej Kramarić, and Mario Pašalić on the bench to start this match, while Domagoj Vida returned to the starting lineup after serving his yellow card suspension.

Slovakia: Rodak - Pekarik, Šatka, Škriniar, Hancko; Mak; Kucka, Lobotka; Hamšik, Weiss; Schranz

Croatia: Ivušić - Juranović, Lovren, Vida, Sosa; Vlašić, Brozović, Kovačić; Ivanušec, Vlašić, Oršić; Čolak

Croatia had their first chance in the 3rd minute. Čolak played Brozović at the top of the box who failed precision in his shot.  

In the 10th minute, a brilliant ball by Čolak found Oršić who hit the post. Dalić's match strategy was high-pressure in the attack, which Croatia had fulfilled from the start. Ivanušić shot on goal 4 minutes later which was saved by the Slovakia keeper. 

Another great chance for Croatia happened in the 18th minute - Oršić found Čolak near the penalty area who was just a second too late with his shot which deflected for a corner. 

Slobodan Kadic

Slovakia's first real chance came in the 22nd minute when Weiss shot just wide of the goal. Croatia's defense had a lapse in judgment in the 26th minute forcing Ivušić to save the day to keep the game 0:0. 

A dangerous free-kick for Slovakia followed two minutes later which made its way into the box. Vida and Lovren were brilliant in the back to block the ball for a corner. 

Vlašić's shot was deflected for a corner in the 32nd minute, and his chance a minute later was saved by the keeper.  

Slobodan Kadic

Slovakia picked up their attacking game from the 40th minute which put Croatia's defense to work with moments of panic. The match ended 0:0 at the half. 

The second half started with no changes for Croatia. 

Croatia continued their high-pressing game to start the second half, with a good chance by Vida in the 51st minute. 

Slovakia had a chance a minute later which the referee ultimately called for a foul. Another great chance for Croatia came from a Sosa cross in the 53rd minute which went across the box. 

There were three substitutions for Croatia in the 55th minute - Livaja, Perišić, and Pašalić came in for Čolak, Ivanušec, and Vlašić. 

Another Sosa ball across the box just missed Pašalić in the 57th minute. Croatia's hunger for a goal was not slowing down. 

Slobodan Kadic

Livaja shot in the 60th minute which was deflected for a Croatia corner that went out off the head of Lovren.

Andrej Kramarić came in for Oršić in the 62nd minute. 

Slovakia missed a chance in front of the goal in the 72nd minute. In the 77th minute, Perišić and Livaja both crossed into the box with no luck. Croatia was creating chances but had much difficulty finding the back of the net. 

Kovačić lost the ball in the 82nd minute which almost resulted in a Slovakia lead, but Ivušić was there to make the save. 

Dalić made his last substation in the 84th minute - Lovro Majer came in for Mateo Kovačič.

Two minutes later, it finally happened for Croatia. In the 86th minute - Majer's free-kick made its way to Brozović who volleyed in for a goal! It was 1:0 for Croatia with 4 minutes to go. 

Slobodan Kadic

Slobodan Kadic

Slovakia followed with a dangerous attack in the next minute which Ivušić tipped over the post for a corner. A series of corners for Slovakia followed, with Croatia's defense in a panic to clear the ball out. 

The ref added 4 minutes to the end of the match, which was not enough for Slovakia to equalize. The match ended 1:0 for Croatia!

Slobodan Kadic

Croatia concludes this mini-cycle at home against Slovenia at Poljud on September 7.

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December 8, 2019 - The capital of Slovakia is the first city outside of former Yugoslavia to name a street after the Croatian hero city, Vukovar!

N1 and the Croatian State Office for Croats Abroad report that the honor of unveiling the street nameplate in the Devínska Nová Ves Municipality on Friday went to Vukovar Mayor Ivan Penava and the Mayor of that municipality, Darius Krajčir, who initiated the idea and also has Croatian roots.

"The Danube River connects Bratislava and Vukovar, Vukovar is a symbol of all Croats in the world, and this act is an expression of true respect and friendship towards the heroic city," said Mayor Krajčir, stating that the municipality of Devínska Nová Ves has always been a municipality with a Croatian population, and through history has still been called Croatian.

Central State Office for Croats Abroad

Mayor Penava expressed great gratitude but also pride because this Slovakian street now bears the name of the Croatian hero city. 

"This is not just about the street, but about what is behind it. This act speaks to Croats who came here 500 years ago and managed to preserve their language and culture, their consciousness about their nationality and Croatian roots, about the Homeland War, the symbolism and power of Vukovar and its significance for all of the Croatian people. My heart is full to be among my people in such a beautiful setting,” he noted.

The Croatian ambassador to Slovakia, Alexander Heina, also could not hide his satisfaction. 

"When a street in Croatia is called Vukovar, it is an act of recognition, but an action we expect. But when something like this happens outside the borders of Croatia, it is something special, something that needs to be recognized, because it proves the truth about the destruction of Vukovar and what happened during the Homeland War outside of Croatia,” Heina emphasized.

Central State Office for Croats Abroad

A reception and commemorative program were organized for guests from Croatia in the Municipality of Devínska Nová Ves along with a visit to the Museum of Croatian Culture, built with donations from the governments of the two countries in Devínsko Novo Selo.

Just a few days ago, another issue was positively resolved for the Croatian national minority in Slovakia, which is a quality and long-term solution to the status of the building of the Museum of Croatian Culture in Slovakia. Societies and associations of the Croatian national minority in Slovakia have thus obtained legal certainty for the long-term use of the building for 99 years, which has become and remains the center of Croatian events, joint meetings and activities. A lasting solution to this issue is of great importance to the Croats in Slovakia.

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CORRECTION: The first version of this article stated that Bratislava was the first city outside Croatia to name a street after Vukovar, as is written in the official PR material by the Government Office for Croatians Abroad. We've since fact-checked that statement, and found that Belgrade, Mostar, Skopje, Petrovaradin, and Bačka Palanka (at least those are the towns we're aware of when writing this correction) also have streets named after Vukovar. We are thus correcting that mistake.