January 10, 2021 - A famous Hajduk fan song has brought love to two Petrinja earthquake volunteers. 

The earthquake that shook Petrinja, Sisak, Glina, and the surrounding area created huge material damage to the inhabitants of that area, but it also gave birth to some beautiful stories.

The entire country jumped to its feet, united in the desire to help people who were affected. One of the most touching stories comes from those on the ground volunteering.

Namely, 24 Sata reports that two volunteers, Jurica Gospodnetić and Danijela Bunčić, who you may have seen in photos from the affected area, did not know each other until the Petrinja earthquake.

But the two fell in love while helping others.

Namely, Jurica is from Split, and Danijela is from Petrinja. A photo of the couple embracing one another in volunteer gear quickly made its way around Croatia.

“We sat in a tent while we rested from volunteering, which is how we met a little earlier. Danijela had gotten up and left.

A cell phone started ringing, and the melody was 'Zbog Jedne Ljubavi' (Because of One Love), a famous Hajduk fan song. I thought it was my phone ringing, as I have the same melody. Nothing was clear to me. And then when she came back, our story began," Jurica said.

Both of their reflective volunteer vests say Torcida Hajduk 1950.

"My parents' house is damaged, as is my uncle's house and grandmother's house. But yes, being alive is most important. Since day one, we’ve both been here, only I was with the team from my street, coming here for groceries and driving around the villages. Just like him, we were each on our side," Danijela explained.

"Hajduk hasn't brought us the title in 15 years! At least they brought us this," Jurica shouted happily.

I have two more weeks of holiday, and I will volunteer as long as I can, and after that, we will see where life will take us," Jurica concluded. 

You can see photos of the happy couple at 24 Sata

For more on the Petrinja earthquake and to see how you can donate money, food, humanitarian, sanitary, and material aid, follow our dedicated section.

January 4, 2021 - The latest HNL news, as Gorica brings on a new coach, and Hajduk a new sports director. 

Siniša Oreščanin was named the new coach of Gorica on Sunday. 

Namely, the third-placed HNL team lost coach Valdas Dambrauskas, who went to Ludogorets, Bulgaria, and sports director Mindaugas Nikoličius, who terminated his contract with Gorica and signed with Hajduk Split.

Index.hr reports that the first wish of the President of Gorica, Nenad Črnek, was the former Osijek coach Zoran Zekić, who recently returned from the Moldovan club Sheriff. On Saturday night, Črnko met with Zekić and Oreščanin and offered them his terms. Zekić asked for time to think, then turned down the offer on Sunday. It was then clear that the new coach would be Siniša Oreščanin, who should sign a contract until the summer of 2022 with the option to extend for another year.

Oreščanin should introduce himself to the team on Monday at 1 pm and immediately start preparations for the continuation of the season and a visit to Pula on January 19 near Istria.

Hajduk announced Mindaugas Nikoličius as the new sports director on Monday. Born on October 5, 1983, in Neringa, Lithuania, he has 16 years of experience in football and signed a contract with Hajduk until the summer of 2024.

He started his first job in football by working for the Lithuanian Football Federation in 2005. In 2006, the Scottish Heart of Midlothian hired him as a sports director and he remained in that position until 2008. Then, in 2010, he accepted the invitation of the Lithuanian club Zalgiris, in which he held the position of sports director and member of the Management Board for seven years.

He spent the last three years in the position of sports director and member of the Management Board of HNK Gorica, with which he terminated his contract and accepted Hajduk's invitation.

During his career as a sports director in these clubs, he won a total of 17 different trophies. He is a lawyer by profession and is fluent in Lithuanian, English, German, and Russian. He speaks and knows the basics of the Croatian language, Hajduk explained on their website of Nikoličius. 

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

December the 30th, 2020 - Due to the proximity of Petrinja to the City of Zagreb, Dinamo's Bad Blue Boys were at the scene of the tragedy barely a few hours after it happened, reports Index.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, in a video received by Index (which can be viewed by clicking on the above link), Zagreb's Bad Blue Boys are seen connected in a human chain in the pitch darkness, cleaning away the ruins of Petrinja following the horrific earthquake which struck yesterday. Although it can be seen in the video that many Dinamo fans are working hard and diligently without stopping, they nevertheless encourage each other during the cleaning process.

After working the first day and night in what is now the hell of Petrinja, the Bad Blue Boys went home to sleep in Zagreb, before returning this morning to help at the site of the quake.

"Bilo (Bijelo) srce" also launched an action to help the residents of Petrinja who were so horribly affected by the earthquake.

The association "Bilo srce" under the media sponsorship of Slobodna Dalmacija, Dalmatinski portal and Radio Dalmacija decided to launch an action called "Bilo srce kuca za sve vas" (Our white heart beats for all of you) with the aim of helping all of the residents of Petrinja, Sisak, Glina and surrounding areas affected by the earthquake. All funds raised will be donated to all those who need help, as was announced on Wednesday on Hajduk's internet portal.

"On Tuesday, in record time, several aid trucks were gathered, which headed towards the affected areas during the night, as well as members of Torcida who are participating in the field operations today. At the same time, a large number of Hajduk fans have made own properties available for those whose homes were damaged in the earthquake and who need accommodation, and we're ready to organise a reception if necessary. We'd like to thank everyone who was available all the time and offered their help, as well as everyone who will in any way get involved in this action in order to once again show the greatness of Hajduk's heart,'' the association stated.

For more on the Petrinja earthquake, follow today's live updates. For more on how you can help and donate funds, food, material and humanitarian aid, click here and here for the details of a special (free of additional charges) HPB donation account for Grad Petrinja.

December 27, 2020 - The European Football Federation (UEFA) has ranked the most successful clubs in the European Cup/Champions League from 1955 to 2020. Dinamo and Hajduk fall into the top 80. 

As expected, at the top is Real Madrid, which has been European champion 13 times (1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1966, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018) with a total of 607 points.

The German giant Bayern Munich holds the second spot with 495 points, while Barcelona is in third place with 459 points. In the top 5 are Manchester United (380) and Juventus (361).

They are followed by Milan (314), Liverpool (298), Benfica (287), Porto (286), and Ajax (271). 

In 11th place, Dynamo Kyiv is the best-placed club that has never won a European title, not even played in the finals.

The list of 500 clubs also includes five Croatian representatives.

Namely, Dinamo Zagreb is in 30th place, Hajduk is in 79th place, Rijeka is in 270th place, Zagreb is in 366th place, and Lokomotiva is in 459th place.

Dinamo played their first European match in 1958 against Dukla Prague. They were also the third Yugoslav club to play in a UEFA-sponsored competition after Partizan in 1955 and Red Star in 1956.

Dinamo has played 136 games in Champions League, 123 in Europa League, and 31 in the Cup Winners' Cup. Their best result was making the Europa League round of 16, where they lost to Benfica in the 2018-19 season. Dinamo also made it to the Cup Winners' Cup semifinals in 1960-61 and the quarters in both 1964-65 and 1969-70. 

On the other hand, Hajduk has played 40 games in Champions League, 128 in Europa League, and 30 in Cup Winners' Cup. 

Their best results include losing in the Champions League quarterfinals in 1976, 1980, and 1995, and losing in the Europa League semis in 1984 and the quarters two years later. Hajduk also made it to the Cup Winners' Cup semis in 1973 and quarters in 1978. 

Rijeka has participated in UEFA competitions on 20 occasions, with most appearances (16) since 1999. Rijeka's best result was the 1978–79 European Cup Winners' Cup quarterfinals, where Juventus eliminated them. 

Source: Gol.hr

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

December 22, 2020 - Lovre Kalinic is back at Poljud! The experienced 30-year-old goalkeeper will come to Hajduk Split on loan from Aston Villa until June 30, 2021.

Kalinic started his goalkeeping career at Hajduk at the age of nine and moved through all the younger age categories at the club. As a senior for Hajduk, he played seven first-league seasons, making a total of 134 official appearances.

He left Hajduk in December 2016 for Ghent, Belgium, where he was in goal for two seasons, after which he moved to Aston Villa. He spent the first half of 2020 on loan in Toulouse, France, and then returned to Aston Villa.

Kalinic recorded 11,962 official minutes for Hajduk, and as many as 50 times, his net remained free from goals. Lovre is also the club record holder, going 775 minutes without conceding a goal in HNL matches. The former Hajduk goalkeeper set that record from August 10 to October 24, 2015, when he did not concede a goal for a full eight games in a row. He made a total of 19 official appearances for the Croatia national team.

"I take this opportunity to thank President Jakobušić for initiating the story of my return. His wish was really great on my part as well, although I was offered several options from Belgium on the table. Many will say that Hajduk is currently poor in terms of results, but Hajduk is still a huge club. I was particularly intrigued by the story and project of a president who wants to create a strong and powerful club. From the first conversation, I felt positive, which is why I didn’t hesitate much. I’m looking forward to it, and I’m happy to be back. I can’t wait to join the team. We all need to come together and start working on big things," said Kalinic.

"Lovre, welcome, and we wish you good luck and success in the white jersey," Hajduk concluded on its website when announcing Lovre's return. 

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

December 21, 2020 - The 16th round of the Croatian First League was held on December 19 and 20, 2020. Only three games were played in the winter season's final round, putting Dinamo and Osijek on the top of the table. 

Osijek v. Sibenik (1:0)

Osijek and Sibenik opened the 16th round on Saturday, December 19, 2020, at City Garden Stadium. 

The only goal of the match came in the 17th minute, thanks to a stellar header by Skoric for the 1:0 Osijek win. 

Osijek is currently in 2nd place with 33 points and 16 games played, while Sibenik is in 7th with 13 and only 14 games played.

Dinamo v. Varazdin (4:0)

Dinamo and Varazdin met at Maksimir Stadium on Saturday, December 19, 2020. 

A goal by Orsic in the 23rd and Petkovic in the 31st put Dinamo up at 2:0 at the half. A penalty awarded for Dinamo in the 79th minute scored by Petkovic made it 3:0, and Hajrovic secured Dinamo's victory in the first minute of added time for the final 4:0 result. 

Dinamo is currently in 1st place with 33 points, however, with only 14 games played, while Varazdin is in 9th place with 12 points. 

Hajduk v. Gorica (2:4)

Hajduk and Gorica closed out the 16th round on Sunday, December 20, 2020, at Poljud Stadium. 

Dieye scored the first goal for Gorica for 0:1 in the 6th minute. Atanasov equalized for Hajduk in the 24th. A penalty was awarded to Gorica in the 53rd, which Lovric scored for 1:2. Diamanatakos scored for 2:2 in the 63rd. 

Another penalty was awarded to Gorica in the 76th minute, putting them back in the lead for 2:3. Moro scored a final-minute goal for the 2:4 Gorica victory. 

Hajduk is currently in 5th place with 17 points, though with only 14 games played, while Gorica is in 3rd place with 29 points and 14 games played.

Istra 1961 and Lokomotiva already played their last matches this year. They were supposed to meet at Aldo Drosina Stadium in the 16th round, but the match was postponed due to COVID-19 infections in the Istra squad. Istra also had to postpone their two previous games against Sibenik in the Cup and the championship.

HNS also postponed the 16th round match between Slaven Belupo and Rijeka.

The Koprivnica club has four positive COVID-19 cases, and the competent epidemiologist determined a measure of self-isolation for three other players because the contacts of the infected were close. According to the decision of the HNS Competition Commission, any team that has six or more players in self-isolation can request a postponement of the match.

Rijeka will welcome the winter break with 20 points in 4th place, with five games behind, while Slaven Belupo is 6th with 17 points and one game behind.

The match between Slaven and Rijeka was supposed to be played on Sunday, December 20. 

You can see the full HNL table HERE.

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page. 

December 16, 2020 - Hajduk and HNS met on Tuesday in Split to discuss installing a new Poljud pitch, which should begin in May next year.

An operational meeting was held on Tuesday at Poljud between representatives of HNK Hajduk, led by the President of the Management Board Lukša Jakobušić, and the Croatian Football Federation, led by the Executive Director Marijan Kustić. The topic of the meeting, which lasted a little less than an hour, was installing a new lawn on the main pitch of Poljud Stadium.

The following conclusions were reached:

"The common conclusion is that it is not possible to carry out the complete works for laying down a new pitch until January 30. The reason is the upcoming holidays, i.e., the impossibility to acquire and begin the construction process, preparatory works, installation, and putting the lawn into full operation in such a short time. The option to start work in January was considered. Still, the completion would be only at the beginning of March, which would prevent Hajduk from playing at least four championship matches in the month of the Club's 110th birthday, which includes the biggest Croatian derby at its stadium.

- It was agreed that due to logistical, technical, and time constraints, the replacement of the lawn would start in May, which gives enough time to enter the next season with a new pitch.

- HNS and Hajduk will sign an agreement on the installation of a hybrid lawn at the beginning of 2021. The city will give consent to Hajduk to change the pitch.

- An additional reason for setting up the pitch in May is the possibility to donate our current field to one of the second division teams in Dalmatia. According to the previous request, it was agreed in principle that the field would be donated to the Dalmatian second league club Croatia Zmijavci, and this is possible only after the end of our and their season," stated Hajduk on its official website. 

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

December 14, 2020 - The 15th round of the Croatian First League was held on December 12 and 13, 2020. This round featured an exciting derby at Rujevica, which saw Rijeka and Dinamo draw, while Osijek and Hajduk suffered two heavy away defeats. 

Gorica v. Osijek (4:1)

Gorica and Osijek opened the 15th round on Saturday, December 12, 2020, in Velika Gorica. 

Dieye was the first to score for Gorica in the 13th minute for the 1:0 lead, which was the result going into halftime. An equalizer by Mierez in the 49th gave Osijek hope before Kalik scored two goals for Gorica in the 54th and. 65th for 3:1. Mitrovic scored the final goal of the game in the 77th minute for the final 4:1 result.  

Gorica is currently in 3rd place with 26 points, while Osijek is in 2nd with 30. 

Varazdin v. Hajduk (4:2) 

Varazdin and Hajduk met on Saturday, December 12, 2020, in Varazdin. 

Posavec was the first to score for Gorica in the 4th minute for the early lead. Grgec increased Varazdin's lead in the 32nd minute for 2:0 at the half. Senic increased Varazdin's lead further in the 58th minute for 3:0. It wasn't until the 72nd minute that Caktas gave some hope to Hajduk for 3:1 and scored another goal five minutes later for 3:2. However, a final minute goal by Obregon locked in Varazdin's 4:2 victory. 

Varazdin is currently in 9th place with 12 points, while Hajduk is in 5th with 17. 

Lokomotiva v. Slaven Belupo (2:1)

Lokomotiva and Slaven Belupo met on Sunday, December 13, 2020, in Zagreb. 

Prce put Belupo in the lead in the 38th minute for 0:1 at the half, though a quick equalizer at the start of the second by Tuci made it 1:1 in the 51st. Ibrahim put Lokomotiva in the lead with a goal in the 72nd minute for 2:1, which was the final result of the match. 

Lokomotiva is currently in 8th place with 12 points, while Belupo is in 6th with 17. 

Rijeka v. Dinamo (2:2)

Rijeka and Dinamo closed out the 15th round on Sunday, December 13, 2020, at Rujevica. 

Dinamo took the very early lead with a goal by Ivanusec in the 1st minute of play for 0:1 Dinamo. Galovic equalized for Rijeka in the 28th minute, before Menalo put Rijeka in the lead in the 35th for 2:1 at the half. Lauristen scored Dinamo's equalizer in the 82nd minute for 2:2. which was the final score of the match. 

Rijeka is currently in 4th place with 20 points, while Dinamo is in first place with 30. 

The 15th round match between Sibenik and Istria in 1961, which was to be played on Sunday, December 13 at 3 pm at Šubićevac, was postponed due to players infected with COVID-19 on both teams.

"After testing the complete teams of HNK Sibenik and NK Istra 1961 on December 3, coronavirus was confirmed in a large number of players in both clubs. Since the players have to be in isolation for at least ten days, it was impossible to play the 15th round match at the previously scheduled time," announced Sibenik.

Sibenik and Istra 1961 should also meet in the Cup at Šubićevac, which has been moved a day forward and is scheduled for December 15 at 3 pm.

You can see the full HNL table HERE.

To read more about coronavirus in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

December 7, 2020 - The 14th round of the Croatian First League was held on December 5 and 6, 2020. Only three matches were played in this round, the most exciting of which was the Adriatic Derby at Poljud. 

Osijek v. Varazdin (1:0)

Osijek and Varazdin opened the 14th round on Saturday, December 5, 2020, at City Garden Stadium. 

While the first half went without goals, Bohar gave Osijek the lead and ultimately the win with his goal in the 59th minute for 1:0. 

Osijek is currently in first place with 30 points, while Varazdin is in 9th place with 9 points. 

Slaven Belupo v. Dinamo (1:5)

Belupo and Dinamo met in Koprivnica on Sunday, December 6, 2020. 

Gavranovic scored two early goals for Dinamo in the 5th and 16th minutes, making the score 0:2 for Dinamo at the half. Petkovic increased Dinamo's lead to 0:3 in the 78th minute, while Knoll was able to get one in for Belupo in the 85th. Two more goals for Dinamo in the 4th and 5th minutes of added time by Hajrovic and Ivanusec resulted in a 1:5 victory for the Zagreb club. 

Slaven Belupo is currently in 6th place with 17 points, while Dinamo is in second with 29.

Hajduk v. Rijeka (1:2)

Hajduk and Rijeka closed out the 14th round on Sunday, December 6,  2020, with the Adriatic Derby at Poljud Stadium in Split. 

Hajduk first took the lead in the 10th minute thanks to a Caktas penalty for 1:0. Rijeka's Loncar equalized five minutes before the half for 1:1. 

The second half was reminiscent of a water polo match, as the teams played in pools of water on the pitch during a constant downpour. A goal by Menalo in the 70th minute gave Rijeka the lead and ultimately the 1:2 win. 

Hajduk is currently in 5th place with 17 points, while Rijeka is in 4th place with 19 points. 

Two 14th round matches, between Lokomotiva - Šibenik, which was to be played on Saturday, and Istra 1961 - Gorica, which was scheduled for Monday, were postponed due to COVID-19 in the teams of Šibenik and Istra 1961. Šibenik and Istra 1961 have six players infected with the coronavirus.

You can see the full HNL table HERE.

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

November 30, 2020 - The 13th round of the Croatian First League was held from November 27 to 29, 2020. This round saw Rijeka and Osijek draw, while the highly-anticipated Eternal Derby between Dinamo and Hajduk was postponed. 

Sibenik v. Slaven Belupo (0:3)

Sibenik and Slaven Belupo opened the 13th round on Friday, November 27, 2020, in Sibenik. 

A goal in the first-minute by Lulic gave Belupo the early 0:1 lead. Thirty minutes later, Etoundi increased Belupo's lead to 0:2, which was the score at the half. The final goal of the match was scored in the 80th minute by Knoll, for the 0:3 Belupo victory. 

Sibenik is currently in 7th place with 13 points, while Belupo is in 6th place with 14. 

Varazdin v. Istra 1961 (1:1)

Varazdin and Istra met on Saturuday, November 28, 2020, in Varazdin. 

While the first half went without goals, Obregon was the first to score for the Varazdin lead in the 51st minute. A penalty for Istra in the 7th minute of added time was scored by Grzan for the equalizer and final 1:1 result. 

Varazdin is currently in 9th place with 9 points, while Istra is in 10th with 9 points. 

Gorica v. Lokomotiva (1:1)

Gorica and Lokomotiva met on Saturday, November 28, 2020, in Velika Gorica. 

Lovric put Gorica in the lead in the 13th minute for 1:0 at the half. Tuci scored the equalizer in the 50th minute for the final 1:1 result. 

Gorica is currently in 3rd place with 23 points, while Lokomotiva is in 8th place with 9. 

Rijeka v. Osijek (1:1)

Rijeka and Osijek closed out the 13th round at Rujevica Stadium on Sunday, November 29, 2020. 

While the first half went without goals, a double-yellow for Pavicic forced Rijeka to play with a man down from the 60th minute. However, Andrijasevic scored for Rijeka just four minutes later for the 1:0 lead. An 83rd-minute equalizer by Bockaj ended the game 1:1. 

Rijeka is currently in 5th place with 16 points, while Osijek is in 1st with 27. 

You can see the full HNL table HERE.

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.