May 9, 2021 - Šibenik beat Istria 1-0 on Friday, secured their spot in the league, and player Emir Sahiti broke a record, beating Dinamo's Petkovic and Gvardiol.

It was not the best season for HNK Šibenik, as the central Dalmatian team dragged the drama to the final stage of the Croatian championship. On Friday, the team by Sergi Escobar beat Istra 1961 by the minimum score, and mathematically ensured their permanence in the top league. Sahiti scored the only goal of the match in the 48th minute of the second half and this was enough to give the hosts victory at Stadion Šubićevac, in a match that ended with only 10 players after Bailone was sent off in the 73rd minute.

But the joy for Sibenik is not limited solely to this result or their tenure in the First League, as Emir Sahiti broke a fantastic record in the local tournament. The 22-year-old Albanian player on loan from Hajduk II broke the record for most dribbles successfully completed in a single match.

The left-winger and Suad Sahiti’s younger brother successfully completed 10 dribbles against the Istrian team on Friday, thus surpassing two Dinamo Zagreb players: Bruno Petković and Joško Gvardiol, who to date had reached no more than 7 dribbles completed in the same match.

Currently, HNK Šibenik is in sixth place in the table after 33 games played to date. Escobar's team has 35 points, 16 less than Hajduk Split, which is in fifth place. Having been promoted last season, Šibenik beats Slaven by 4 points, Lokomotiva by 6, Varaždin by 8, and Istra 1961, whom they beat on Friday by 10 points.

HNK Šibenik will visit the second of the tournament, Osijek, on Tuesday at 19:05.

Source: Šibenski (Slobodna Dalmacija)

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October 22, 2020 - Masks in Croatia are mandatory almost everywhere, though one law in the country forbids them inside football stadiums. Here's why. 

Slobodna Dalmacija writes that the first person from Croatia to be infected with the coronavirus was a young man who contracted the virus in the stands of the San Siro stadium in Milan, where he watched the Champions League match between Atalanta and Valencia on February 19.

When he returned to Zagreb, he ended up at the "Dr. Fran Mihaljević" Clinic, and on February 25, Croatia officially recorded the first case of COVID 19. Italian epidemiologists determined at the time that the match in Milan, which had 40,000 spectators, significantly affected the explosive spread of coronavirus in Italy.

Eight months have passed since then, the numbers of infected are higher than ever, we are breaking all records and setting up new hospital tents, and the crowds in Croatian stadiums are reminiscent of those in San Siro - because they don’t have to wear protective masks.

But here's the catch - not only do they not have to, but they are now allowed to wear masks or face coverings inside the stadium. Here's why.

Masks are prescribed in the open where the required distance cannot be kept, but not in the stands, because, according to the provisions of the Law on Preventing Disorderly Conduct at Sports Competitions, masking the face with a hat, scarf or otherwise to conceal identity is considered illegal behavior. When the law was passed, it never occurred to anyone that one day, masks would become a mandatory part of our everyday lives. Epidemiologists, therefore, prescribed only distance for stadiums, but not masks.

When the Croatian Institute of Public Health published the first epidemiological instructions (before spectators returned to the stadiums), they stated that masks were mandatory. However, this was short-lived. A new recommendation was soon published in which masks were not mentioned, but only a distance of a meter and a half and a measurement of body temperature on the day of the match.

Spectators are required by these recommendations to wear a mask as they move around the stadium, as they walk to their seats or wait in line for the toilet, but must remove it when they arrive at their seat.

Before the weekend match between Hajduk and Sibenik, fans were especially warned about the ban on consuming alcoholic beverages, lighting pyrotechnics, bringing banners that incite hatred and violence, and the ban on face coverings, which would make it difficult for the police to identify them should any chaos occur.

GNK Dinamo will begin competing in the Europa League group stage on Thursday, at 9 pm, when Dutch club Feyenoord will play in Zagreb. There will also be spectators in the stands, as the club announced, at 30 percent of the capacity of each section of Maksimir Stadium, and tickets will be on sale until the permitted capacity is filled. And there will be no masks in the stands. Just like last week at Poljud, the club announced that despite epidemiological recommendations, wearing masks at the stadium is not allowed under Article 4 of the Law on Preventing Disorderly Conduct at Sports Competitions.

Only after the match can we expect an assessment of how things went with respect to epidemiological measures, which in practice will be reduced because only 30 percent of the audience capacity is met.

Earnings are not enough for the club to profit from 30% of tickets, but there are still too many fans to control the spread of coronavirus, so the legitimate question is: why are spectators still allowed?

Epidemiologists cringed after fans failed to keep distance in the Croatian First League games, and previously in the games of the Croatia national team in Zagreb, but the Civil Protection Headquarters has not indicated that they will tighten the prescribed measures.

Slobodna Dalmacija asked the head of the National Civil Protection Headquarters Davor Bozinovic, leading epidemiologist Krunoslav Capak, and the executive director of HNS whether there will be any changes in the stands considering the record number of cases in the country, especially considering the previous experiences of non-compliance with measures at Poljud and Maksimir. No one has answered.

Unofficially, Slobodna learned that some members of the Headquarters are discussing re-implementing recommendations we had back in June, but no decision has been made.

Unlike in Croatia, the Greek government reacted urgently. Just after this week's announcement that Greek sports fans will be able to go to stadiums and halls again from October 31, albeit in limited numbers, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said: 

"Holding matches, even with a few spectators, would send the wrong message to the citizens," thus rejecting the plan to return the fans to sporting events.

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September 17, 2020 - Big Croatian football news as Ferencvaros knocks out Dinamo in the 3rd qualifying round of the Champions League. 

Dinamo Zagreb will not play in the Champions League this season after they lost in the third qualifying round in Budapest to the Hungarian champion Ferencvaros 1:2. Dinamo will continue their European path in the final round of the Europa League qualifiers.

Ferencvaros took the lead in the 80th second of the game with a goal by Gerg Lovrencsics. Still, Dinamo equalized in the 23rd minute after an own goal by former Lokomotiva player Myrt Uzuni. Ferencvaros reached a new advantage in the 65th minute with a goal by Uzuni, who redeemed himself for Dinamo's equalizer.

The Hungarian champions retaliated against Dinamo for last season's defeat, also in the 3rd qualifying round of the Champions League.

Recall, Dinamo was knocked out by a Hungarian club for the first time in their European history. Until Wednesday night's match, Dinamo played against Hungarian clubs seven times and passed all seven times. Three times they knocked out MTK, twice Ferencvaros, and once ZTE and Gyor.

With the victory against Dinamo, the Hungarian champion advanced to the Champions League play-offs in which they will play against the winner of Karabakh - Molde, but also secured European autumn. If they win in the final round of qualifications, Ferencvaros enters the group-stage competition of the Champions League, while with a defeat, they move to the group-stage competition of the Europa League.

With this defeat to Ferencvaros, Dinamo dropped out of the Champions League qualifications, and their European story will continue in the playoffs or the last qualifying round of the Europa League.

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September 14, 2020 - The Croatian Football Federation has confirmed that spectators will return to Croatian football leagues from September 18, 2020. 

The Executive Board of the Croatian Football Federation has decided to allow spectators at stadiums from September 18, so long as they meet several conditions to ensure maximum protection of spectators and all actors in the COVID-19 pandemic.

A limited number of spectators will be able to attend the matches of the HT First League, the Croatian Football Cup, the 2nd HNL, and the First HNL for juniors, cadets, and pioneers, up to 30 percent of the capacity of each grandstand or stadium box. Visiting fans will not be allowed to attend the matches.

The host club is obliged to organize each match following the current measures of the competent local civil protection headquarters, and the organization of matches should be carried out in compliance with all prescribed epidemiological measures (maintaining the distance between spectators, ensuring the use of disinfectants, etc.)

In making this decision, the HNS Executive Board took into account the position of Uefa, which will allow the return of a limited number of spectators to the Super Cup match, and the fact that the epidemiological situation varies significantly from county to county. That is why the arrival of visiting fans will not be allowed.

The decision was made known to the National Civil Protection Headquarters and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.

If there is non-compliance with the measures, particularly the distance between spectators or the number of spectators being exceeded, the competition commissioner is authorized to decide for the host club to play matches without spectators.

If the competent local civil protection headquarters prohibits the arrival of spectators to a certain host club, 50 people of the host club are allowed to attend HT First League matches, and 30 people of the host club are allowed to attend the 2nd HNL matches, provided that this is following epidemiological measures that city or county.

The decision shall apply from September 18, 2020.

Source: HNS

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March 12, 2020 - The Croatian Football Federation (HNS) has decided to suspend all football competitions until March 31, 2020.

“In accordance with the recommendation of the Central State Office for Sport on the postponement of all international and national sports competitions at all levels, taking into account the recommendations of the Civil Protection Staff and the new situation in the Republic of Croatia, i.e., the increase in the number of infected, the Executive Board of the Croatian Football Federation and the competent authorities have decided to stop all football competitions in Croatia - men's, women's, futsal all HNS leagues, inter-county and county leagues, the Croatian Cup, or all matches of youth, seniors and veterans - until March 31, 2020.

For training, it is recommended to adhere to all the hygiene and safety instructions of the National Civil Protection Headquarters in order to be conducted in the safest possible conditions for the health of the athletes.

As before, HNS will closely monitor the development of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus epidemic and, as recommended by the public health institutions, determine new measures, taking into account, in particular, the health of football players, spectators and all other football actors. The football family and the public will be informed in due time of any further measures,” HNS announced on its website.

Recall, the management of the Croatian Football Federation (HNS) adopted a new measure on Wednesday aimed at protecting spectators, clubs, players and competitions during the coronavirus outbreak.

The statement from the Croatian Football Federation is transmitted in full below:

“Taking into account the emerging circumstances regarding the epidemic of the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, today the leading people of the HNS and the relevant bodies of the Federation have re-analyzed the current situation and decided that all matches in competitions under the jurisdiction of the HNS will be played without spectators until March 31.

The new measure applies to the HT First League, Croatian Cup, 2. HNL, 3. HNL, 1. HNLŽ, 2. HNLŽ, 1. HMNL, 2. HMNL and all youth leagues under the auspices of HNS, as well as the upcoming UEFA qualifying matches that take place in Croatia.

In these competitions, only teams with their staff, senior management and officials of clubs and HNS, technical staff and a certain number of media representatives will be able to attend the matches until further notice, with all the usual measures for organizing matches.

The HNS also recommends that all county associations take the same measure in competitions under their jurisdiction.

As before, the HNS will closely monitor the development of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus epidemic and, if necessary, determine other measures to which the football family and the public will be informed in due time. The decision shall enter into force immediately and shall be valid until March 31 or the end of the representative break. The Federation will make a timely decision to continue or discontinue this measure, taking into account developments, recommendations from public health institutions, and considering, above all, the health of spectators, football players and all other actors in football."

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Today, Croatia celebrates 24 years since its victory over occupiers who harassed and killed civilians for four years by attacking Croatian cities, from Dubrovnik to Vukovar. The anniversary of Operation Storm (Oluja), in which the areas of northern Dalmatia, Lika, Banovina and Kordun were finally liberated from the occupying forces, were celebrated in their own way by the Torcida and Armada groups.

As Morski writes on the 5th of August, 2019, at the beginning of the second half of the match at Poljud in Split between Hajduk and Lokomotiva, Torcida put on a spectacular and interactive choreography show dedicated to the anniversary of Operation Storm and to Homeland Thanksgiving Day.

A large banner attesting to Croatia's destiny to be a free country was displayed, and after the roleplay, in which a Serbian tank is destroyed by a Croatian one, the raising of a large Croatian coat of arms followed. On one side the Croatian flag as raised, and on the other, paper tanks were shown being defeated, set on fire and destroyed. After that, patriotic Croatian songs were played.

On Krk bridge for the third year in a row, at 21:00, Rijeka's Armada marked the anniversary of Operation Storm with some beautiful choreography.

As many as 222 flares lit up the darkness of the night, which honoured all those killed in the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County area - 222 people.

''Unlike in previous years, we've made some changes. First of all, we changed the date because even though the correct time to mark the anniversary is August the 5th, a significant number of war veterans couldn't make it to the area around the bridge, because on that day numerous masses were organised, as were visits to the graves of the dead, as well as some sports, cultural and entertainment gatherings. Therefore, we decided to move it to one day earlier, so that everyone who wants to come can attend our spectacle,'' Dejan Božić, president of KN Armada, told Novi List.

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May 21, 2019 - The 35th round of the Croatian First League was held from May 18 to 20, 2019. The second to last round of the season saw Hajduk move into third place and Osijek fall to fourth after a loss to Gorica.

Inter Zaprešić v. Dinamo (2:3)

Inter and Dinamo met in Zaprešić in front of 1,688 spectators to open the 35th round on Saturday, May 18, 2019. 

While it was Kadzior to score the first two goals for Dinamo (5’, 17’), Inter’s Ajayi came back with a goal in the 32nd, and Tsonev with another in the 35th to equalize. Dinamo was awarded a penalty in the 61st minute which Andrić scored for 2:3.

Inter is currently in 8th place with 31 points, while Dinamo has already claimed the Croatian championship and sits in first with 89 points. 

Rijeka v. Lokomotiva (1:0)

Rijeka and Lokomotiva met on Saturday, May 18, 2019, at Rujevica stadium in front of 3,068 fans. 

Murić scored the only goal of the game in the 36th minute, which ultimately gave Rijeka the home win. 

Rijeka is currently in second place with 66 points, while Lokomotiva is in 6th with 49. 

Hajduk v. Istra 1961 (4:1)

Hajduk and Istra met at Poljud in front of no fans on Sunday, May 19, 2019. 

While Istra was the first to score thanks to Ivančić in the 6th minute, Hajduk picked it up in the second half and managed four goals. Caktaš scored first in the 48th minute, followed by Gyurcso in the 56th for 2:1. Jairo scored in the 77th minute for 3:1, and Nejašmić in the 93rd for 4:1. 

Hajduk is currently in third place with 62 points, while Istra is in 9th with 22. 

Gorica v. Osijek (1:0)

Gorica and Osijek met on Sunday, May 19, 2019, in Velika Gorica in front of 1,693 fans. 

While the first half went without goals, it was Gorica’s Suk to score in the 57th minute for 1:0, which was the final score of the game. 

Gorica is currently in 5th place with 56 points, while Osijek is in 4th with 59. 

Rudeš v. Slaven Belupo (0:1)

Rudeš and Belupo closed out the 35th round on Monday, May 21, 2019, at Kranjčevićeva street stadium in front of 83 fans. 

The first half went without goals and it wasn't until a penalty for Belupo in the 78th minute that Delić scored for 0:1. 

Rudeš remains in the last place with 14 points, while Belupo is in 7th with 36. 

You can see the full HNL table here. 

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The Institute for Sports Research (CIES) published an interesting analysis of attendance at football stadiums around the world, which includes an impressive figure by Hajduk Split. 

Croatia’s U21 team will not only fight for the European Championship title in 2019, but they also have a great chance of competing at the Tokyo Olympics, which would be the first in Croatian football history. 

It’s a tough time to be a fan of Croatian football.