It's Official: Davor Šuker No Longer Croatian Football Federation President!
July 29, 2021 - After nine years, the Croatian Football Federation Assembly unanimously removed President Davor Šuker. The new Croatian Football Federation president is Marijan Kustić.
The election of a new president, who was elected publicly and unanimously, was a formality because the former first HNS operative Kustić received support from all county unions and the City of Zagreb before the election session of the HNS Assembly and was the only candidate. It became clear that Šuker had no prospects for a new term when the Zagreb Football Association prevented him from doing so.
"This is a big and emotional thing for me. Thank you for your support, I will do my best to justify the trust. For me, it is a great encouragement to be the president who for the first time received the unanimous support of all county unions. We are all football and we are moving forward," said Kustić after the election, who also introduced his closest associates.
In his farewell speech, Šuker said he must thank those who brought him and worked with him, but did not mention Mamić, Kustić or any other member of the HNS government.
"I gave my character and work 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to Croatian football. With my knowledge, I wanted to make HNS the most successful sports organization and a successful brand and I think I succeeded. I didn't do it myself and I thank everyone with I am proud of the silver medal in Russia, the greatest success in history. I am glad that as a player and president I was part of the greatest success in the history of Croatian football, and the national team under my leadership qualified for all four major competitions. The young national team achieved the greatest success, we built new pitches and improved the status of futsal and women's football. We helped Croatia after the earthquake, we overcame the pandemic. I contributed as a member of Uefa that many of our people enter the structures of the umbrella organization and I will continue to do so. I will work always in the interest of Croatian football. I have been and will remain loyal to Croatian football with all my being. See you in September in Moscow at the match against Russia," said Šuker.
The first vice president will be Ante Vučemilović Šimunović, and the other vice presidents are Mario Smodlaka, Damir Mišković, Nenad Črnko and Slavko Prišćan.
The new executive director of the football organization is Tomislav Svetina, and Stipe Pletikosa is the technical director of the A and U21 national teams.
After the session, former President Šuker invited members of the Assembly to a joint lunch, and members of the new Executive Board remained in the hall with Kustić.
Source: HRT
To follow the latest sports news in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.
To learn more about sport in Croatia, CLICK HERE.
2022 World Cup Qualifiers: Croatia and Russia to Meet at Poljud in November
July 20, 2021 - Croatia and Russia will meet at Poljud Stadium in Split to close out the 2022 World Cup qualifiers in Group H.
The Croatian Football Federation Executive Board has registered Poljud Stadium as the host of the Croatia and Russia match as part of the European qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup, which will be held in Qatar in 2022, reports HNS.
Croatia and Russia have played four times so far, with Croatia recording two wins and two draws. Recall, Croatia and Russia most recently met in the quarterfinals of the 2018 World Cup at Fisht Stadium in Sochi. The match finished 1:1 thanks to a goal by Kramarić before going into extra time when Vida scored for the 2:1 lead. Fernandes equalized in the final minutes, forcing to game to penalties. Rakitić scored the winning penalty, advancing Croatia to the semifinal match against England.
Split will host two Croatia national team matches this fall - on September 7, Croatia will host Slovenia on Poljud (20:45), and the competition in Group H will end on November 14 at 15:00 against Russia. In other news, the 2018 World Cup finalists will host Slovakia on October 11 at City Garden Stadium in Osijek.
After the introductory three rounds in March, the Croatia national team leads in Group H with six points, the same number of points as Russia, while Slovakia is one point behind. Croatia is expected to play against Russia (September 1) and Slovakia (September 4) in September, and the three-match program will end in Split against Slovenia.
The 10 first-placed national teams in their groups will qualify directly for the World Cup, while the second-placed national teams will compete in the playoffs in March 2022. The 2022 World Cup will be held in an untraditional term, from 21 November – 18 December 2022.
To follow the latest sports news in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.
To learn more about sport in Croatia, CLICK HERE.
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.
To follow the latest sports news in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.
To learn more about sport in Croatia, CLICK HERE.
Croatian Footballer Filip Ozobić Switching National Teams for Azerbaijan
July 18, 2021 - Croatian footballer Filip Ozobić should play for the national team of Azerbaijan, the local football federation confirmed. He has received permission from FIFA and is expected to be on the next player list of Azerbaijan coach Gianni De Biasi.
Ozobić used to be known as a great hope of Croatian football. From the age of 15, he played for all the younger selections of the Croatia national team. At the U19 Euros in 2010, where Croatia reached the semifinals, he was included in the best 11 of the tournament, as the only Croatian. In total, he played 60 times for Croatia, reports Index.hr.
He also has two appearances for the A team, but they were not in official matches. However, he played two matches in the China Cup in 2017 in a team mostly made up of HNL players. Ozobić was one of the two who did not play in the Croatian league at the time.
Ozobić has been playing in Azerbaijan since 2016 and has met the five-year deadline for a player to play in a country to qualify for the national team. He has spent two years in Gabala and has been playing in Qarabag for the last three seasons. Last year, with 11 goals, he was the third-best scorer in the league, while he was the best with the same number of goals in the first season.
As an 18-year-old from Zadar, he went to Spartak Moscow. After that, he spent one year on loan at Hajduk, then over to Slaven Belupo, where he left for Azerbaijan after three seasons.
Unlike Borna Sosa, Filip Ozobić was able to change his football citizenship because he has no official appearance for Croatia national teams after his 21st birthday. On the other hand, Sosa performed on several occasions after his 21st birthday, so he could not play for Germany, although he could obtain citizenship.
Azerbaijan will play its next match in the World Cup qualifiers against Luxembourg on September 1, when Ozobić is expected to play. Games against Ireland and Portugal follow.
To follow the latest sports news in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.
To learn more about sport in Croatia, CLICK HERE.
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.
To follow the latest sports news in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.
To learn more about sport in Croatia, CLICK HERE.
Luka Modrić EURO 2020 Goal Named 3rd Best of Tournament!
July 15, 2021 - The outside-of-the-boot Luka Modrić EURO 2020 goal against Scotland has been named the 3rd best goal of the tournament!
Czech striker Patrik Schick's goal from the midfield line in the match against Scotland was declared the most beautiful goal of the 2020 European Championship, the European Football Federation (UEFA) announced, while Luka Modrić's goal took third place.
After the Czech Republic won the ball in the 52nd minute and went on to counter, Schick shot from the middle of the field, and the ball soared over goalkeeper David Marshall's head.
The Bayer Leverkusen striker shot from 45.4 meters, which is officially the farthest distance from which a goal was scored at the Euros.
The winner was decided by the fans who voted on the official UEFA website between 10 goals selected by the UEFA technical commission. Schick's goal received almost 800,000 votes.
In second place was the goal by French midfielder Paul Pogba against Switzerland, while Luka Modrić came in third with his outside-of-the-boot goal scored against Scotland. Modrić scored for 2:1 in the 62nd minute of Croatia's final group stage match. It was a masterpiece by the captain, and a signature Luka strike.
With this goal, Modrić entered Croatian football history as the oldest Croatia scorer at the European Championships. He scored at the age of 35 years and 286 days. Modrić is also the youngest scorer for Croatia at the European Championships. At EURO 2008 against Austria, he scored a goal at the age of 22 years and 273 days.
In fourth place is the goal of the Italian striker Lorenzo Insigne against Belgium in the quarterfinals, and in the top 5 is Cristiano Ronaldo's goal for Portugal against Hungary.
Candidates
LUKA MODRIĆ (CROATIA - Czech Republic 3-1, group)
Andriy Jarmolenko (Ukraine - Netherlands 2-3, group)
Patrik Schick (Czech Republic - Scotland 2-0, group)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal - Hungary 3-0, group)
Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium - Denmark 2-1, group)
Paul Pogba (France - Switzerland 3-3, 4-5 11m, the round of 16)
Lorenzo Insigne (Italy - Belgium 2-1, quarterfinals)
Federico Chiesa (Italy - Spain 1-1, 4-2 11m, semifinals)
Alvaro Morata (Spain - Italy 1-1, 2-4 11m, semifinals)
Mikkel Damsgaard (Denmark - England 1-2, semifinals)
Source: Gol.hr
To follow the latest sports news in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.
To learn more about sport in Croatia, CLICK HERE.
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.
To follow the latest sports news in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.
To learn more about sport in Croatia, CLICK HERE.
Marjan Kustić Officially Nominated for HNS President, Šuker Out After 9 Years?
July 6, 2021 - Davor Šuker's 9-year stint as HNS president will last until July 29, with Marijan Kustić likely to take over the leading role in the Croatian Football Federation.
Namely, Marijan Kustić was nominated for the president of HNS by his county union, and judging by the photo coming from Lika-Senj County, at least 18 of the 21 county unions gave him support. Considering that the Zagreb Football Association president, Tomislav Svetina, who was the only one who could nominate Davor Šuker, is also in this picture, it is evident that this candidacy will not take place. Even if the ZNS wanted to nominate Šuker, it would not be able to because it officially needs the support of at least seven county unions, reports Sportske Novosti.
Kustić was also supported by Ante Vučemilovi-Šimunović from Osijek, as well as the dismissed chief referee Ante Kulušić on behalf of the Šibenik-Knin County. Thus, it can be said that the photo from the Lika-Senj Association reveals the future of Croatian football, with Marijan Kustić in the lead role.
The Lika-Senj County Association announcement is transmitted in its entirety:
"At yesterday's Assembly session in Gospić, in the presence of all its members, the Lika-Senj County Football Association supported the candidacy of its county president Marijan Kustić for the president of the Croatian Football Federation by acclamation.
In addition to members of the Lika-Senj County Football Association, the assembly was attended by the presidents of 17 county football associations in Croatia.
This is also the first official nomination for the top position of the Croatian Football Federation.
After the election, Marijan Kustić thanked all members of the Assembly for their tremendous support, but also all the presidents of the county football federations who increased the presidential candidacy of the current executive director of HNS and the president of the Lika-Senj County Football Association.
After this nomination of the parent county federation, Kustić will gather support from at least six more county football federations in the next few days to become official for his candidacy for president of the HNS.
The election assembly of the Croatian Football Federation will be held on July 29 this year in Zagreb," the statement said.
To follow the latest sports news in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.
To learn more about sport in Croatia, CLICK HERE.
2021 HNS Elections: Will Marijan Kustić Replace Davor Šuker?
July 4, 2021 - The 2021 HNS elections will be held on July 29 in Zagreb, where Marijan Kustić should replace Davor Šuker as the Croatian Football Federation president.
The Croatian Football Federation (HNS) has called elections. An Assembly to elect a new president, vice presidents, and the Executive Board of the Federation will be held on July 29 at noon at the Westin Hotel. The process has begun in which interested presidential candidates must receive the official nomination of their county union and the signatures of support from six more counties. The deadline for submitting the candidacy is July 14, i.e., 15 days before the Assembly.
ZNS, which has had a president for decades, especially two longtime Vlatko Marković and Davor Šuker, will not highlight its man this time but will support Marijan Kustić. According to information from football circles, it is very likely that Kustić will be the only candidate. He is a representative of Lika-Senj County. Although, of course, someone else can always get into the race.
"The candidate we will support will certainly be the new president," Tomislav Svetina, the first man of the ZNS, told Sportske Novosti. Kustić is the current executive director of the Federation.
In the week ahead, Kustić is officially embarking on a short campaign. First of all, he must be nominated as a candidate by the Assembly of the National Assembly of Lika-Senj County, which is a formality. According to the agenda, the HNS Electoral Assembly should begin with a greeting from the previous president Davor Šuker. The question is whether he will show up.
Why did Suker fall? HNS says the trigger was an Executive Board meeting in March that he did not want to attend even though he was sitting in his office in the Federation in the next room. Moreover, he tried to undermine its maintenance was dissatisfied with some decisions. At that session, a new Commission for Judges was elected with President Bruno Marić, and some marketing decisions were made that Šuker did not like. However, the reasons for his end in the HNS are certainly much deeper.
HNS is negotiating with Stipe Pletikos as a new name in the Federation. The function of the technical director was mentioned, then the director who would take care of Croatian players around the world so that the "Sosa case" would not happen again. Some also say that it is possible for Pletikosa to be a member of the Executive Board, which will be resolved by the Assembly.
To follow the latest sports news in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.
To learn more about sport in Croatia, CLICK HERE.
HNS Statement: Apart from Perišić, No Other Croatia Players in Self-Isolation
June 27, 2021 - Are other Croatia players in self-isolation apart from Ivan Perišić? A look at who traveled to Copenhagen this morning.
Ivan Perišić, the best scorer and one of Croatia's best players in the EURO 2020 group stage, has contracted COVID-19.
Perišić tested positive on Saturday and cannot play in the round of 16 match against Spain in Copenhagen on Monday.
Instead of going to the match in Copenhagen, Perišić is going into self-isolation.
HNS issued a statement on whether there are other Croatia players in self-isolation:
"After the Croatian Football Federation received a test that showed that Ivan Perišić tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the medical service of the Croatia national team informed the competent epidemiological service about the situation and showed that the national team complied with all prescribed measures of the Croatian Civil Protection Headquarters, as well as the measures of the UEFA Return to Play protocol.
According to the submitted information, the competent epidemiological service assessed that the measures were respected and that apart from the positive Ivan Perišić, who must undergo 10 days of isolation, other players and members of the staff and delegation should not go into self-isolation. The national team will fly from Pula to Copenhagen on Sunday at 10:35, where they will play against Spain in the round of 16 of the European Championship on Monday at 18:00.
We are aware that something like this can happen to any national team and individual. That is why we respect all the measures of the Headquarters from the first day, as well as the UEFA protocol, to prevent the possibility of isolation for several players. In the context of the new situation, the medical service is doing its best to prevent the possible spread of the virus, as we did successfully during the autumn when we had similar individual cases during the Nations League. This includes antigen testing that confirmed that there are no other infected members of the team. We are sorry that Ivan will not play against Spain, and we hope that COVID-19 will pass as quickly as possible and with as few symptoms as possible," said the doctor of the national team, Dr. Saša Janković.
To follow the latest sports news in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.
To learn more about sport in Croatia, CLICK HERE.
