April 5, 2023 - Šibenik has knocked out Dinamo in the SuperSport Croatian Cup semi-final, beating them 2:1 at Šubićevac Stadium! 

It is the second final in history for Šibenik. Šibenik lost to Hajduk in its first final in 2010. With this loss, Dinamo continues its downward spiral, achieving only one victory in its last six appearances.

Dinamo visited Šubićevac weakened by the absence of Bruno Petković and Luka Ivanušec. Behind the Croatian champion were a series of bad results and only one victory in the last five meetings. Even so, Dinamo entered the match brilliantly and took the lead with a goal by Josip Drmić in the 40th second. 

Dinamo could have increased their lead in the 13th minute. Dominik Livaković sent a long ball to Menalo, who came out alone in front of Đaković, but the home goalkeeper saved his shot, deflecting the ball into the corner.

Šibenik had their first and only chance in the first half in the 20th minute. Dario Čanađija found Ivan Dolček in the penalty area, but he couldn't get a decent shot off. 

In the 37th minute, Dinamo shook the home team's net for the second time, and Drmić was the scorer again. However, this time VAR was not on his side. The striker was offside at the beginning of the play, and the goal was disallowed.

Dinamo had a new chance in the 57th minute. Mišić sent a great ball to Baturina, who rushed down the right wing and put it in front of the goal, but Kvržić prevented the shot.

Šibenik came back with a free kick a few minutes later, but there was no real danger in front of Livković's goal. In the 66th minute, Šibenik threw all their cards into the attack. Iker Pozzo, Dejan Radonjić, Duje Čop, and Amer Hiroš entered the game. Just six minutes later, Šibenik equalized with a goal by Spanish midfielder Pozzo.

It was a quick counter from the hosts, the Spaniard first pushed the ball to Radonjić. With a bit of luck, the ball returned to Pozzo, who scored from close range into an empty goal.

After conceding the goal, Dinamo increased their rhythm. In the 80th minute, Marko Bulat had a great shot from a free kick. Four minutes later, Dinamo hit the net again, but VAR once again ruled it offside, and Menalo's joy was short-lived.

When it seemed that the match would go into extra time, Šibenik shocked the Croatian champion. Kvržić made a perfect cross from the right, and Čop made an even better header for the incredible Šibenik victory! 

Slaven Belupo and Hajduk meet in the second semi-final on April 12 in Koprivnica, and the final is on May 24 at Rujevica in Rijeka.

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May 24, 2022 - A Hajduk fan zone will be set up on the Split Riva with a large LED screen for the Croatian Cup final against Rijeka on Thursday at Poljud. 

Due to the exceptional interest of the fans for the SuperSport Croatian Football Cup final, HNK Hajduk decided in cooperation with its partners and sponsors, Radio Dalmatia, Karlovačko, and SuperSport, to organize a fan zone which will be located on the Split Riva on Thursday.

The sports and entertainment event called "I can't do anything else but love him..." starts on Thursday at 11 am. Hajduk invites all fans to visit the fan zone and have fun with an exciting entertainment program that includes music performers, surprise guests, food, an amusement park, attractive gifts, and prizes that attendees can win by participating.

The SuperSport Croatian Football Cup final between Rijeka and Hajduk starts at 7 pm. 

"For all those who failed to get a ticket for the Croatian Cup final, a joint viewing was organized on a large LED screen that will be placed at the bottom of the Riva.

The youngest will be delighted by our official mascot Rico, who will hang out with children from 11 am to 1 pm and from 4 pm to 6:30 pm.

Join us on the Riva, enjoy the spectacle, and support Hajduk in the final of the Croatian Football Cup," concluded Hajduk in their announcement. 

Hajduk finished the 2021/22 HT First League in second place with 72 points. While they fell short of the title this year, they still have a chance to win a trophy this season in the Croatian Cup final against Rijeka on Thursday, May 26. Hajduk and Rijeka will meet at Poljud at 19:00. The last Croatian Cup title Hajduk won was in 2013. They lost to Dinamo in their last Cup final in 2018. Dinamo won the Croatian Cup last season, while Rijeka was the winner in the two seasons prior. 

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December 2, 2021 - After the SuperSport Croatian Football Cup quarterfinal matches came to a close on Wednesday, the Executive Board of the Croatian Football Federation decided that the Croatian Cup final match would be played in Split, namely at Poljud Stadium.

This season, the SuperSport Croatian Football Cup final will be played at Poljud Stadium, which is comforting news for Hajduk fans after the Split club advanced to the semifinals with a victory against Lokomotiva Tuesday. The Croatian Football Federation decided on Poljud after choosing between Karlovac, Koprivnica, and Split, reports HNS.

At the suggestion of the HNS Competition Commission, the Executive Board of the Federation decided that the final of the SuperSport Croatian Football Cup will be played at the Poljud Stadium in Split and that the final match will be played on May 26, 2022. It will be the first Croatian Cup final at Poljud played in a single game.

On Monday at 11 am, the draw will decide which pairs are in the semifinals. Gorica, Hajduk, Osijek, and Rijeka remain in the competition, and the matches are scheduled for March 2022. 

After the draw at noon, Hajduk president Lukša Jakobušić will meet with HNS president Marijan Kustić at the federation's headquarters on Vukovarska, a year after meeting with his predecessor Davor Šuker, when he said he would "leave the federation alone," reports 24 Sata. 

Since 2016, when the Croatian Cup changed the format and one final match was introduced, the Cup final has been hosted by Osijek, Varaždin, Vinkovci, Pula, Šibenik, and Velika Gorica.

Recall, in the quarterfinal matches which were played on Tuesday and Wednesday this week, Gorica topped Istra on penalties, Hajduk beat Lokomotiva 6:3, and Osijek beat Belupo on penalties. In the last quarterfinal, Rijeka knocked out Dinamo 3:1, which forced the resignation of Dinamo coach Damir Krznar. 

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May 19, 2021 - Dinamo and Istra 1961 met in the Croatian Cup final on Wednesday in Velika Gorica. 

Dinamo defeated Istria 6:3 in the incredible Cup final and reached the 16th title in the Croatian Cup competition.

Dinamo took the lead in the 5th minute with a goal by Mislav Oršić, and Ademi increased it to 2:0 in the 9th minute. Dinamo's third goal was scored by Majer in the 33rd minute.

Istra sensationally reduced Dinamo's lead with two goals by Hara in the 52nd and 53rd minutes for 3:2. 

However, Dinamo returned to a two-goal advantage in the 59th minute with an own goal by Šutalo. 

Gržan reduced the lead to 4:3 in the 63rd minute from the penalty spot, and Mislav Oršić scored for 5:3 after a counter in the 73rd minute. Gavranović increased the lead to 6:3 in the 83rd minute, which was the final score of the match. 

This is the 16th Cup title for Dinamo and the 12th double crown. Istria, on the other hand, played their second Cup final, the last of which was played in 2003 when they lost to Hajduk under the name Uljanik.

Dinamo thus rounded off perhaps the most successful season in the history of the club. The "Blues" won the double crown and reached the quarterfinals of the Europa League, in which they were defeated by the finalists of that competition, Villarreal.

On the other hand, entering the final is a great success for the Pula club, but Istria must now turn to a tough fight to stay in the First League.

On Saturday, Istra plays in the last round away against the runners-up in Osijek. Before the last 90 minutes of the season, Istra has one point more than Lokomotiva, who will visit Hajduk.

Interestingly, after coming to Dinamo in 1995, Damir Krznar won three consecutive double crowns, and now he has won a double crown on the Dinamo bench.

Source: HRT

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April 9, 2021 - Dinamo Zagreb advanced to the Croatian Cup final with a victory against Gorica after extra time in the semifinal match 4-1 (0-1, 1-1).

Gorica opened the match very well, took the lead with a goal by Špikić (3), but at the beginning of the second half, Mišić (46) equalized for 1-1. Dinamo's victory was secured in extra time thanks to Jakić (100), Majer (110), and Ademi (118).

Recap

Gorica took the lead thanks to an early goal the young Gorica striker Špikić, who will play for Dinamo from the summer. 

Gorica was a better opponent throughout the first half. Dinamo, despite falling behind, did not create a single dangerous situation in front of the opponent's goal. At the same time, Gorica threatened from quick counterattacks but lacked precision in the end to increase the lead.

The match completely turned around at the beginning of the second half when Dinamo coach Damir Krznar introduced Ademi and Majer into the game instead of Ivanušec and Franjić.

After only 46 seconds of play in the second half, Mišić equalized with an excellent shot from 20 meters. Kastrati entered the penalty area from the right side, pulled the defense on himself, and then served Mišić with a ball to score. 

In the 49th minute, Gorica was left with a player less after referee Zebec booked Keita with a second yellow. Dinamo then absolutely dominated.

Dinamo could have won before the end of the 90th minute. Oršić blew a chance in the 69th minute and decided to pass to Majer instead, while Kastrati missed with his head from four meters out in the 72nd minute.

Gorica could not hold on during the extra time. Dinamo took the lead in almost the same way that they equalized. Kastrati got the ball on the right-wing and sent the ball to Jakić, who shot from about 20 meters. Banić was helpless.

By the end of the match, Majer and Ademi set the final score in the 110th and 118th minutes, respectively, with precise low shots from the top of the penalty area.

In the final on May 19 in Velika Gorica, Dinamo will play against Istra 1961, which defeated the defending champions Rijeka 3-2 in the first semifinal two weeks ago.

Dinamo has won the Cup 15 times so far, while Istra 1961 does not have a single title.

Source: HRT

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April 15, 2021 - Istra 1961 shocks Rijeka for a spot in the Croatian Cup final! The Pula club will meet the winner of the second semifinal match between Dinamo and Gorica, which has yet to be scheduled. 

Istra 1961 will play in the final of the Croatian Football Cup! At Aldo Drosina Stadium in Pula on Thursday, Istra defeated Rijeka 3:2 in the semifinal match and qualified for the final, which will be held on May 19 in Velika Gorica. Their opponent will be the winner of the second semifinal between Dinamo and Gorica. The date for that match has not been set yet due to Dinamo's European obligations. 

Istria played a phenomenal first half, one of the best in the club's history, and was ahead 3:0! At the beginning of the second half, Drmic scored Rijeka's first goal, and in the 72nd minute, Muric made it 3:2 thanks to a penalty, after which they continued to press, but Istra successfully defended their net to keep the win!

Istra opened the game well and took the lead in the seventh minute with a goal by Josip Šutal, who scored with a header from a corner.

In the 23rd minute, Japanese striker Taichi Hara escaped the attention of the Rijeka defense, came out in front of Ivan Nevistić and scored with ease.

Before going to halftime, Rijeka was shocked again. Antonio Ivančić beautifully found Gideon Guzina, who scored for 3:0.

At halftime, Rijeka coach Goran Tomić made three changes, and Rijeka relatively quickly reduced the result. In the 53rd minute, Josip Drmić scored from about 15 meters.

In the 71st minute, Robert Murić scored their second goal from a penalty.

There was enough time until the end, but Rijeka didn't have it in them to score the third goal and take the game into extra time.

This Istra 1961 generation will thus try to win the first Cup trophy in the club's history, in a final match scheduled for May 19, against Dinamo or Gorica. So far, Istria has only been in the Cup final once, in 2003 when the club was called Uljanik. In that final, which was played in two games, they were defeated by Hajduk (5:0).

The date of the semifinal clash between Dinamo and Gorica at Maksimir will be known after the Europa League quarterfinal return match, which Dinamo will play against Villarreal on Thursday in Spain.

Source: Gol.hr

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November 24, 2019 - The Mladost Zagreb men's and women's water polo teams won the Croatian Cup in Split on Sunday. 

The first trophy of this water polo season goes to Zagreb! After a long eight years, the Croatian Cup Cup will shine again for the men's team at Mladost, which is their ninth total. At the Poljud pool in Split on Sunday, Mladost stopped the four-year-reign of Jug. 

HRT reports that the Mladost Zagreb men's team won the Croatian Cup on Sunday night after defeating Jug Dubrovnik 16-12 (3-3, 3-3, 7-4, 3-2) in the final in Split.

In a match with an unusually high number of goals, Mladost reached the Cup victory, mostly thanks to a great third quarter where they were up 7-4. Jug thus remains at 14 Cup trophies and have won the four previous seasons in a row.

Luka Bukić (4 goals), Cosmin Radu (3 goals), and Josip Vrlić and Franko Lazić, who scored two goals each, were the most effective for Mladost. Paulo Obradović scored five goals to be the best for Jug, while Loren Fatović scored three goals. 

The Mladost women's water polo team was also successful on Sunday and raised the Cup after a convincing victory over Split's Jadran. Namely, Mladost won the Croatian Cup after defeating Jadran in the final 20-5 to win their eighth Cup ever, and the third consecutive.

The Zagreb side was dominant in the victory, even though they were without their best possible lineup, as Petra Bukić, who was selected as the best Croatian water polo player in 2017 and 2018, was out due to injury.

However, the 2019 best player Emma Miljkovic was brilliant with six goals in the final. In the last minute of the second quarter, it was 11-0 for Mladost. Jadran's first goal came from a five-meter penalty. 

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“Zebec and Križarić will be sanctioned and received a negative rating. We want VAR, but it is not possible next season,” says Kulušić.

Hajduk and Dinamo play in the Croatian Cup final on Wednesday in Vinkovci. 

In the second semifinal of the Croatian Cup, the current leader of the Croatian First League eliminated the 2017 champion, Rijeka.