HNL Round 5 Recap: Osijek Beats Rijeka, Hajduk Moves to 3rd, Šibenik Wins 6:2
August 16, 2021 - The 5th round of the Croatian First League was held from August 13 to 15, 2021. This round saw Osijek win the derby against Rijeka, while Hajduk continued their at-home winning streak. There were even blowout wins for both Šibenik and Lokomotiva! Here's our HNL round 5 recap.
Dinamo v. Gorica (1:0)
Dinamo and Gorica opened the 5th round at Maksimir Stadium on Friday, August 13, 2021.
The match's only goal was an own goal by Gorica's Doka, which put Dinamo up at 1:0 in the 36th minute. Gorica was unable to equalize.
Dinamo is currently in 4th place with 7 points (and only 4 games played), while Gorica is in 6th place with 6 points.
Lokomotiva v. Istra 1961 (4:0)
Lokomotiva and Istra met in Zagreb on Saturday, August 14, 2021.
Dabro scored Lokomotiva's first goal for 1:0 in the 20th minute. Then, Ibrahim scored goals in the 31st and 45th minutes to make it 3:0 at the half. Finally, Dabro increased Lokomotiva's lead to 4:0 in the 49th minute, which was how the match ended.
Lokomotiva is currently in 2nd place with 10 points, while Istra is in 9th with 3.
Hajduk v. Slaven Belupo (2:0)
Hajduk and Slaven Belupo met at Poljud Stadium on Saturday, August 16, 2021.
Emir Sahiti scored the goal of the round in the 35th minute for the 1:0 Hajduk lead at the half. Livaja increased Hajduk's lead from a free kick in the 48th minute for 2:0, which was the final score of the match.
Hajduk is currently in 3rd place with 10 points, while Belupo is in 7th with 5.
Šibenik v. Hr. Dragovoljac (6:2)
Šibenik and Dragovoljac met in Šibenik on Sunday, August 16, 2021.
Delić scored in the 1st minute for the early 1:0 lead though Petković equalized for 1:1 in the 34th. Strkalj put Dragovoljac ahead at 1:2 just before the half.
Šibenik came back strong in the second half, however, scoring 3 goals in 10 minutes for the 4:2 lead (Bačelić-Grgić 52', Marin 58', Jakoliš 61'). Bačelić-Grgić scored again in the 86th minute for 5:2, and Marin finished the match with another goal just before the final whistle for 6:2.
Šibenik is currently in 8th place with 4 points, while Dragovoljac is in the last place with 0.
Osijek v. Rijeka (1:0)
Osijek and Rijeka closed out the 5th round at City Garden Stadium on Sunday, August 16, 2021.
VAR called back Rijeka's goal in the 8th minute, and Mierez scored for the Osijek lead in the 17th minute. Osijek scored again in the final minutes of the match, but the goal was also called offside by VAR.
Osijek is currently in 1st place with 13 points, while Rijeka is in 5th with 7 points.
You can see the full HNL table HERE.
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HNL Round 4 Recap: Hajduk Beats Gorica, Dinamo and Rijeka Games Postponed
August 9, 2021 - The 4th round of the Croatian First League was held on August 7 and 8, 2021. This round saw Hajduk beat Gorica in their first away victory in Velika Gorica, while Dinamo and Rijeka postponed their 4th round matches due to European commitments. Here's our HNL round 4 recap.
Slaven Belupo v. Šibenik (1:1)
Belupo and Šibenik opened the 4th round on Saturday, August 7, 2021, in Koprivnica.
Jakoliš scored for the Šibenik lead in the 33rd minute for 0:1 at the half. Belupo's Monjac equalized for 1:1 in the 88th to end the match in a draw.
Belupo is currently in 6th place with 5 points, while Šibenik is in 9th with one point. Both teams have played 4 games so far.
Gorica v. Hajduk (1:3)
Gorica and Hajduk met in Velika Gorica on Saturday, August 7, 2021, in front of 1,576 spectators.
Mlakar scored for the Hajduk lead in the 33rd minute, before Vuković made it 0:2 right before the half. Lovrić came back to give Gorica a goal in the 56th minute for 1:2, but Livaja secured Hajduk's victory in the final minutes for 1:3.
Gorica is currently in 5th place with 6 points, while Hajduk is in 3rd with 7. Both teams have played 4 games so far.
Hr. Dragovoljac v. Osijek (1:2)
Dragovoljac and Osijek closed out the 4th round on Sunday, August 8, 2021, at NŠC Stjepan Spajić Stadium in Zagreb.
Mance put Osijek in the lead with an early goal in the 13th minute. Majstorovic equalized for Dragovoljac thanks to a penalty in the 55th minute for 1:1. Nejasmic put Osijek back in the lead in the 75th minute for 1:2, which was the final score of the match.
Dragovoljac is currently in the last place with 0 points, while Osijek is in 1st with 10. Both teams have played 4 games so far.
**Dinamo and Rijeka postponed their 4th round HNL matches, however, they won't be able to do the same for much longer. Namely, postponement is allowed thanks to Article 4 of the Croatian Football Federation's competition propositions. In the play-off qualifying round, they will no longer be entitled to postponing their HNL games.
"The propositions of the competition say that each club has the right to postpone one game of the First HNL while playing qualifiers for European competitions, and another match later if it is a participant in the group stage. Due to the tight schedule, Dinamo and Rijeka asked to postpone the 4th round of the domestic championship and they got it," said Josip Brezni, the competition commissioner.
You can see the full HNL table HERE.
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HNL Round 3 Recap: Dinamo and Rijeka End 3:3, Hajduk Wins, Osijek and Belupo Draw
August 2, 2021 - The 3rd round of the Croatian First League was held from July 30 to August 1, 2021. Here's our HNL round 3 recap.
Lokomotiva v. Hr. Dragovoljac (3:2)
Lokomotiva and Hr. Dragovojlac opened the 3rd round of the Croatian First League on Friday, July 20, 2021, in Zagreb.
While Dragovoljac initially took the lead for 0:1 in the 14th minute, an own goal by Valentić equalized for Lokomotiva in the 40th for 1:1 at the half. Milicevic scored for the Lokomotiva lead in the 53rd minute for 2:1, and Kacavenda made it 3:1 in the 80th. Bagadur came back with a goal for Dragovoljac at 3:2 in the 87th minute, which was the final score of the match.
Lokomotiva is currently in 3rd place with 7 points, while Dragovoljac is in last with 0.
Istra 1961 v. Gorica (1:2)
Istra and Gorica met in Pula on Saturday, July 31, 2021.
Lovric scored for the Gorica lead in the 19th minute for 0:1 at the half. After their second goal was called back thanks to VAR, Dieye scored for 0:2 in the 67th minute. Bande scored one goal for Istra in the 4th minute of added time for the final score of 1:2.
Istra is currently in 8th place with 3 points, while Gorica is in 4th with 6.
Hajduk v. Šibenik (1:0)
Hajduk and Šibenik met at Poljud Stadium on Sunday, August 1, 2021.
After being knocked out of the new UEFA Europa Conference League, Hajduk redeemed themselves with their first league win thanks to an Eduok goal in the 27th minute for 1:0, which was the final score of the match.
Hajduk is currently in 7th place with 4 points, while Šibenik is in 9th with 0.
Osijek v. Slaven Belupo (0:0)
Osijek and Belupo met at City Garden Stadium on Sunday, August 1, 2021.
Neither team was able to score, and the match finished 0:0.
Osijek is currently in 2nd place with 7 points, while Belupo is in 6th with 4.
Dinamo v. Rijeka (3:3)
Dinamo and Rijeka closed out the 3rd round at Maksimir Stadium on Sunday, August 2, 2021.
Peric opened with an early goal for the Dinamo lead in the 9th minute, though Abass equalized for Rijeka to make it 1:1 in the 23rd minute. Majer put Dinamo back in the lead with a goal 10 minutes later for 2:1. Rijeka surprised with two goals to end the half thanks to Abass in the 38th and Drmic in the 43rd to make it 2:3 for Rijeka at the half. Orsic equalized for Dinamo in the 59th minute for the final score of 3:3.
Dinamo is currently in 5th place with 4 points, while Rijeka is in 1st with 7.
You can see the full HNL table HERE.
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HNL Round 2 Recap: Osijek Better than Hajduk at Poljud, 4:0 Win for Dinamo
July 26, 2021 - The 2nd round of the Croatian First League was played from July 23 to 25, 2021. A look at our HNL round 2 recap.
Hr. Dragovoljac v. Dinamo Zagreb (0:4)
Dragovoljac and Dinamo opened the 2nd round of the Croatian First League on Friday, July 23, 2021, in Zagreb.
Dinamo's scoring spree started already in the 19th minute when Majer put them in the lead for 0:1. Sutalo increased Dinamo's lead to 0:2 before the half.
Gavranović made it 0:3 early in the second half with a goal in the 48th minute, and Majer scored his second goal of the match for 0:4 five minutes later, which was the final score of the match.
Dragovoljac is currently in the last place with 0 points, while Dinamo is in 4th with 3 points.
Slaven Belupo v. Lokomotiva (1:2)
Belupo and Lokomotiva met in Koprivnica on Saturday, July 24, 2021.
Cokaj scored for 0:1 Lokomotiva in the 22nd minute to put them ahead at the half. Krstanović equalized for 1:1 in the 66th thanks to a penalty, but Pivarić put Lokomotiva back in the lead in the 80th minute for the win.
Belupo is currently in 5th place with 3 points, while Lokomotiva is in 3rd with 4.
Gorica v. Šibenik (3:1)
Gorica and Šibenik met in Velika Gorica on Saturday, July 26, 2021.
Babec opened the game with a goal for Gorica in the 26th minute for 1:0 at the half. Dieye increased Gorica's lead to 2:0 in the 67th minute, after which an own goal by Bilić made it 3:0 for Gorica two minutes later! Bilić redeemed himself with a goal for Šibenik in the 87th minute, and the match ended 3:1.
Gorica is currently in 7th place with 3 points, while Šibenik is in 9th with 0.
Rijeka v. Istra 1961 (2:0)
Rijeka and Istra met at Rujevica on Sunday, July 25, 2021.
While the first half went without goals, Rijeka's Drmić made it 1:0 in the 78th minute, before scoring again in the 82nd minute for the final score of 2:0. Pavičić missed a penalty in the 6th minute of added time.
Rijeka is currently in 2nd place with 6 points, while Istra is in 6th with 3 points.
Hajduk v. Osijek (1:2)
Hajduk and Osijek closed out the 2nd round at Poljud on Sunday, July 25, 2021.
While the first half ended 0:0, Hajduk's Livaja was the first to score with a goal in the 63rd minute for 1:0 Osijek's Jurčević equalized 3 minutes later. Pilj scored for the Osijek win in the 87th minute - 1:2.
Hajduk is currently in 8th place with 1 point, while Osijek is in 1st with 6 points.
You can see the full HNL table HERE.
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HNL Round 1 Recap: Dinamo Opens Season with Shocking Loss, Wins for Osijek and Rijeka
July 19, 2021 - The 2021/22 Croatian First League (HNL) season opened last weekend with the first round of games played from July 16 to 18, 2021. A look at our HNL round 1 recap.
Dinamo v. Slaven Belupo (0:2)
Dinamo and Slaven Belupo opened the new season at Maksimir Stadium on Friday, July 16, 2021.
While the first half went without goals, the reigning Croatian champions were shocked thanks to goals by Krstanovicc and Bogojevic in the 50th and 84th minutes for 0:2.
This victory was only Belupo's second in its 37 visits to Maksimir. The last time they won was a little less than 17 years ago.
Dinamo is currently in 8th place with 0 points, while Belupo is in 4th with 3.
Osijek v. Šibenik (3:0)
Osijek and Šibenik met at City Garden Stadium on Friday, July 16, 2021.
The first half went without goals, which Mierez made up for with Osijek's first goal in the 63rd minute. Bohar scored in the 90th and 95th for 3:0 Osijek.
Osijek is currently in first place with 3 points, while Šibenik is in 10th with 0.
Lokomotiva v. Hajduk (2:2)
Lokomotiva and Hajduk met in Zagreb on Saturday, July 17, 2021.
Hajduk took the lead in the 30th minute thanks to Mlakar, though Soldo equalized for Lokomotiva for 1:1 3 minutes before the half. Dabro opened the second half with a goal for the 2:1 Lokomotiva lead in the 47th minute, but Mlakar equalized for 2:2 less than 10 minutes later.
Lokomotiva is currently in 6th place with 1 point, while Hajduk is in 5th place with 1 point.
Rijeka v. Gorica (2:0)
Rijeka and Gorica met at Rujevica on Saturday, July 17, 2021.
Muric put Rijeka in the lead in the 20th minute for 1:0 at the half. Lepinijca increased Rijeka's lead to 2:0 in the 55th minute, which was the final score of the match.
Rijeka is currently in 3rd place with 3 points, while Gorica is in 9th with 0.
Istra 1961 v. Hr. Dragovoljac (3:1)
Istra and Dragovoljac closed out the first round on Sunday, July 18, 2021.
Bande scored two goals for Istra in the first half for 2:0 (10', 17'). Matic made it 3:0 at the half. Veljaca scored for Dragovoljac for 3:1, which was the final score of the match.
Istra is currently in 2nd place with 3 points, while Dragovoljac is in 7th with 0.
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2021/22 HNL Season Begins Today, Fans Return to Stands with Covid Certificates
July 16, 2021 - The 2021/22 HNL season officially begins today, bringing football and fans back to Croatian stadiums.
The new HNL season starts today! After the Croatia national team competed in the Euros, club football is back to kick off the 31st season of the HNL (Croatian First League), reports HRT.
Fans are returning to the stands with COVID certificates, and there are many new coaches. The title is defended by Dinamo, and the main competitors for the title will be Osijek, Hajduk, and Rijeka. Instead of Varaždin, Hrvatski Dragovoljac returned to the First League.
Dinamo and Slaven Belupo open the championship at Maksimir today from 18.55, and Osijek and Šibenik will play from 21.00.
Dinamo opened the new season with European appearances against Valur. Before the new European challenges against Cypriot club Omonia in the 2nd qualifying round, the Blues welcome Slaven Belupo in the opening match of the new HNL season. Damir Krznar is facing new challenges on the Dinamo bench after he was responsible for Dinamo's biggest European victory against Tottenham last season. Dinamo, with some new faces in the locker room, is hoping to defend the title again. Their attack was strengthened by Duje Čop, many players returned from loan, and it is questionable whether exit transfers will be made by the national team members Livaković, Petković, or Oršić.
Slaven Belupo has a new coach - Dean Klafurić, and the attack is led by the experienced Ivan Krstanović. The club has so far been strengthened by Vinko Soldo, Mario Marina, Lovro Zvonarek, Nedim Hadžić, and Mateo Monjac.
After last season's second place, Osijek went on the offensive in the summer transfer window to strengthen the team in order to compete more strongly for the title. Nenad Bjelica brought Šimo Gržan and, most importantly, locked down the top scorer of the league, Ramon Mierez, with a contract. In an exchange with Hajduk, Darko Nejašmić arrived, and Josip Vuković moved to Poljud. If Kleinheisler, Bočkaj, and Škorić remain, the Osijek club will be very uncomfortable this season.
Šibenik has a new coach Mario Rosas, and the club has been strengthened by Stefan Perić, Camilo Mesa, and three Dinamo players on loan - Julardžija, Marin, and Jurić.
The remaining matches of the first round of the new season continue on Saturday and Sunday, between Lokomotiva and Hajduk, and Rijeka and Gorica. The round will end on Sunday between Istria and Hrvatski Dragovoljac.
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HNS Announces Croatian Stadiums at Full Capacity for HNL Games, with Conditions
July 14, 2021 - We will see Croatian stadiums at full capacity during the upcoming Croatian First League season, so long as Covid certificate conditions are met.
The new HNL season starts on Friday when two first-round matches are scheduled, and the most important news related to Croatia's top football league is that clubs will be able to open their stadiums at full capacity - but with conditions, of course.
The Croatian Football Federation Executive Board met to decide on how they would return fans to the stands after the 2021 First League matches were played without any spectators.
We have transmitted the HNS statement in its entirety:
"The decision of the Civil Protection Headquarters of the Republic of Croatia of 18 June 2021, which is in force since 1 July 2021, stipulates that sports competitions are held without spectators in compliance with all epidemiological measures, and point V defines the exceptional possibility of organizing competitions with the presence of spectators if special conditions are met.
Given the interest of spectators in attending HT First League matches, matches will be organized without a limit on the number of spectators with the obligation that all spectators, technical and organizational staff, teams, and officials have an EU digital COVID certificate (which can also be obtained with a PCR or antigen test and is valid for 72 hours). The host club is responsible for checking the certificates of the spectators, and the delegate, with the technical assistance of the host club, for checking the certificates of the players and members of the professional staff registered in the minutes of the match.
All players, members of the professional staff, and other staff of HT First League clubs participating in the match must have an EU digital COVID certificate, PCR, or rapid antigen test for each match," the Croatian Football Federation explained.
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HNK Gorica and Zagreb County Tourist Board Join Forces
July 6, 2021 - HNK Gorica and Zagreb County Tourist Board have joined forces. The tourist board has thus become a new member of the family of partners of this ambitious first league football team.
Although football in Croatia is far from a real marketing product, the whole league is rising from year to year and thus gaining in attractiveness. On the other hand, HNK Gorica is one of the "stars" of the Croatian Football League (HNL), which has a bright future ahead of it, reports HRTurizam.
"It is often forgotten that football clubs have three categories that travel every week during the season (some play at home, while others travel to away matches), and thus achieve overnight stays in each destination. Whether they are seniors, juniors, or other categories, everyone travels to matches and has to spend the night somewhere. Our goal is to point out the potentials of sports tourism and its role in the development of overall tourism," said Ivana Alilović, director of the Zagreb County Tourist Board and added:
"Tourism is an important component of our economy and the situation with Covid-19 has shown us that we need to think in the other direction. HNK Gorica is one of the key drivers of sports life in Velika Gorica and Zagreb County. Still, it is also one of the key carriers of our accommodation capacities in the entire county. Therefore, we must support such a club in activities, in every opportunity to attract teams from various countries to our area. We are extremely grateful for everything they have done in this segment of ours."
Ervin Kolarec, Deputy Prefect of Zagreb County, also came to support this cooperation. “HNK Gorica is a great promoter of both its city and our county, which is why I am thrilled that the club has connected with our tourist community. Since, among other things, more than 450 children are active in this club, the Zagreb County will be with HNK Gorica in the future as well," said Kolarec.
The cooperation between the club and the county tourist board will be mutual, diverse, and possibly a bit unusual. ”We will look in some new directions, which will allow us some new types of promotion of our region. For example, why wouldn't HNK Gorica do one of its trainings at Turopoljski lug? Is there anything nicer?" suggested Ivana Alilović.
Football clubs are an excellent medium for communicating the tourist offer and additional content for all visiting teams coming to the destination. Football is one of the best marketing media globally, and even the Croatian National Tourist Board is a sponsor of the Croatia national football team.
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NK Osijek Celebrates Second Place in HNL (PHOTOS)
May 25, 2021 - NK Osijek celebrates their historic second-place finish in the Croatian First League (HNL).
Osijek won in the last round of their historic HNL season and proudly ended their Croatian championship story in 2nd place.
Slobodan Kadic
Osijek said goodbye to its memorable club season with a familiar result over the last ten months - a victory. Although the points were not as imperative, given that Osijek already secured the second-place spot in the league before the final match, it was the cherry on top of a brilliant season. Osijek ended the Croatian championship by defeating Istra 1961 2:1 at City Garden.
Slobodan Kadic
"Both this game and what happened, in the end, is another picture of everything we have achieved this season. Despite all the problems we had, we did not highlight them, only the positive ones. We believed in these guys, in each one individually. Congratulations to everyone on a great season, not only to the players and coaches but to all who work in the Club, as well as those who were here before us and contributed to the formation of such a team," said coach Nenad Bjelica.
Slobodan Kadic
"The awards we received from the Club for the historic second place, as well as this contact with the fans, further embellished the whole story. I hope that next season we will be able to make this symbiosis supreme, and I believe that such synergy will lead us to new victories."
Slobodan Kadic
Osijek said goodbye to four of its players who will not be in their ranks next season. Just before the match with Istra 1961, Ivica Kulešević, assistant sports director of Osijek and the club manager, handed out framed jerseys and paintings that will always remind Dmytro Lopa, Gutieri Tomelin, Ivan Santini, and Adam Gyurcso of the time spent at City Garden.
Slobodan Kadic
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HNL Final Round Recap: Hajduk Tops Lokomotiva for 4th Place Europa League Spot!
May 22, 2021 - The 36th and final round of the Croatian First League was played on Saturday. All games but Dinamo v. Sibenik started at 5 pm. A look at our HNL final round recap.
While the final round did not determine the Croatian First League winner, it was crucial for three clubs as a Europa League spot was on the line - Hajduk, Rijeka, and Gorica were in focus.
Hajduk v. Lokomotiva (2:0)
Hajduk and Lokomotiva met at Poljud for their final match. A win was imperative for Hajduk to secure the 4th-place spot which leads to Europa League.
Marko Livaja scored far post in the 29th minute to settle Hajduk's nerves before the half. Hajduk's wunderkind Stipe Biuk sealed Croatia's victory in the 82nd minute for 2:0!
With this victory, Hajduk finishes in 4th place and locks in the final Europa League spot! Lokomotiva finishes in 8th.
Osijek v. Istra 1961 (1:1)
Osijek and Istra met at City Garden Stadium for their final match. Osijek had already secured 2nd place in the league, though the match had more importance for Istra who was closer to the bottom of the table.
Kleinheisler scored for Osijek in the 34th minute for 1:0. Istra equalized in the 40th minute thanks to Ivancic. Istra finished in 9th.
Rijeka v. Gorica (2:1)
Rijeka and Gorica met at Rujevica for their final match. A win would put Rijeka ahead of Gorica in 3rd, but a draw or loss would knock them down to 5th if Hajduk won.
Rijeka's Andrijasevic scored in the 10th minute for the early Rijeka lead. Gorica's Babec equalized ten minutes later for 1:1. Rijeka increased their lead in the 80th minute thanks to a Menalo goal for 2:1. With this result, Rijeka knocks Gorica out of 3rd place and secures a Europa League spot! Gorica thus finishes 5th.
Slaven Belupo v. Varazdin (1:0)
Slaven Belupo and Varazdin met in Koprivnica for their final match. Belupo scored in the 57th minute but VAR ruled no-goal. Varazdin's goal was also called back minutes later. Zvonarek scored for Belupo in the 88th minute. With this result, Varazdin finishes 10th in the relegation spot.
Dinamo v. Sibenik (play at 19:30) - result unimportant
You can see the HNL table HERE.
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