April 4, 2022 - The 29th round of the Croatian First League was played from April 2 to 4, 2022. This round featured the highly anticipated derby between Osijek and Hajduk, while Dinamo and Rijeka recorded routine wins against Istra and Dragovoljac. Here is our HNL round 29 recap. 

Šibenik v. Gorica (0:1)

Šibenik and Gorica opened the 29th round on Friday, April 2, 2022, in Šibenik in front of 487 fans. 

The only goal of the match came at the end of the first half when Stojanovksi scored for 0:1. 

Šibenik is currently in 8th place with 26 points, while Gorica is in 6th with 39. 

Istra 1961 v. Rijeka (0:2)

Istra and Rijeka met on Saturday, April 3, 2022, in Pula in front of 2,170 fans. 

Vuckic scored Rijeka's first goal in the 29th minute for 0:1 at halftime. Vuckic scored his second goal of the match in the 87th minute for the final 0:2. 

Istra is currently in 9th place with 25 points, while Rijeka is in 3rd with 55. 

Dinamo v. Dragovoljac (2:0)

Dinamo and Dragovoljac met at Maksimir Stadium on Sunday, April 3, 2022, in front of 2,029 fans. 

While the first half went without goals, Andrić scored Dinamo's first in the 46th minute. A Smolčić own goal made it 2:0, which was the final score. 

Dinamo sits in 1st place with 60 points and a game in hand, while Dragovoljac is in last place with 14 points. 

Osijek v. Hajduk (0:0)

Osijek and Hajduk met for the highly anticipated derby of the 29th round on Sunday, April 3, 2022, at City Garden Stadium in front of 7,181 fans. 

It was an exciting first half which included a penalty awarded then taken back for Hajduk, a red card called and taken back for Osijek, a missed penalty for Osijek by former Hajduk player Mijo Caktaš, and a 5-minute wait for referee Jović to sort out his technical equipment. The second half, however, was much less exciting, and neither side was able to find the back of the net. 

Osijek is currently in 2nd place with 58 points, while Hajduk is in 4th with 53 points and a game in hand. 

Lokomotiva v. Slaven Belupo (3:1)

Lokomotiva and Slaven Belupo closed out the 29th round on Monday, April 4, 2022, in Zagreb.

Crnac scored in the 1st minute of stoppage time for the Belupo lead at halftime. Dabro equalized in the 48th minute before the same player put Lokomotiva in the lead in the 76th minute for 2:1. Ibrahim scored for 3:1 in the 91st minute for the final result. 

Lokomotiva is currently in 5th place with 29 points, while Belupo is in 7th with 30. 

You can see the full HNL table HERE. 

To read more about sports in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

March 23, 2022 - Who are the most valuable Croatian First League players? A closer look during one of the most interesting HNL seasons. 

The Croatian First League (HNL) is more interesting than ever this season. Four clubs are in a tight race for the title of Croatian champion, and all top teams are full of quality.

Dinamo is by far the most valuable team in the HNL, and according to the estimates of the reputable Transfermarkt, is worth around 97.45 million euros. In second place is Hajduk Split, worth 40.95 million euros, followed by Osijek in third worth 35 million, and Rijeka in fourth worth 27 million euros.

When looking at the players individually, Dinamo dominates again, which is to be expected, considering that the club has been successfully representing Croatia in European competitions for several seasons.

However, only two footballers, the young Josip Šutalo and Martin Baturina, have increased in value compared to the last Transfermarkt update. 

The list of the 10 most expensive Croatian First League players starts with Luka Ivanušec, valued at 12.5 million euros, which is a drop of one million compared to previous data. In second place is his teammate Mislav Oršić, worth 11 million euros. In the top five are three more Dinamo players - Dominik Livaković, Arijan Ademi, and Bruno Petković.

The Croatian First League's top scorer and according to many the best player of this season, Marko Livaja, achieved the highest market value in his career and is now worth 6.5 million euros, which is enough for sixth place on the list of the most expensive players in the HNL.

In seventh place is the new Osijek reinforcement Kristijan Lovrić, who shares the spot with Dinamo defenders Josip Šutalo and Rasmus Lauritsen.

The tenth spot is shared by Bartol Franjić and the young winger of Hajduk Stipe Biuk, with an estimated value of 4.5 million euros.

It is interesting that Rijeka's most valuable player, Robert Murić, is only in 16th place.

Source: HRT

To read more about sports in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

March 21, 2022 - The 28th round of the Croatian First League was played from March 18 to 20, 2022. This round saw Rijeka complicate their race for the title as Gorica won 1:0, while Hajduk, Dinamo, and Osijek recorded wins to keep the top of the standings tight. Here is our HNL round 28 recap. 

Hr. Dragovoljac v. Istra 1961 (0:0)

Dragovoljac and Istra opened the 28th round on Friday, March 18, 2022, in Zagreb in front of 200 fans. 

Neither team was able to score, and the game ended 0:0. 

Dragovoljac is currently in the last place with 14 points, while Istra is in 9th with 25. 

Gorica v. Rijeka (1:0)

Gorica and Rijeka met in Velika Gorica on Saturday, March 19, 2022. 

The first half went without goals, and Da Cruz was booked for his second yellow in the 60th minute, forcing Gorica to play with a man down for the remainder of the match. However, a Cestic own goal put Gorica in the lead in the 73rd minute and gave them the ultimate win. 

Gorica is currently in 6th place with 36 points, while Rijeka is in 4th with 52. 

Hajduk v. Lokomotiva (4:0)

Hajduk and Lokomotiva met in the second match on Saturday, March 19, at Poljud Stadium in Split. 

Nikola Kalinić scored Hajduk's first goal in the 22nd minute for 1:0. Grgić scored the second though it was recalled due to VAR. Krovinović made it 2:0 for Hajduk just before the halftime whistle. Melnjak scored for 3:0 in the 54th minute and Sahiti for the final 4:0 eight minutes later. 

Hajduk is currently in 3rd place with 52 points and a game in hand, while Lokomotiva is in 5th with 36. 

Slaven Belupo v. Dinamo (0:1)

Slaven Belupo and Dinamo met in Koprivnica on Sunday, March 20, 2022.. 

Petović scored from an offside position in the 9th minute which VAR called back. Oršić scored the winning goal in the 20th minute for 0:1. 

Belupo is currently in 7th place with 30 points, while Dinamo is in 1st with 57 and a game in hand. 

Šibenik v. Osijek (0:3)

Šibenik and Osijek closed out the 28th round on Sunday, March 20, 2022, in Šibenik. 

While the first half went without goals, Lovrić scored for 0:1 Osijek, followed by a Marin own goal for 0:2, and a Topcagic goal for 0:3. 

Šibenik is currently in 8th place with 26 points, while Osijek is in 2nd with 57. 

You can see the HNL standings HERE. 

To read more about sports in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

March 14, 2022 - The 27th round of the Croatian First League was held from March 11 to 13, 2022. This round featured the highly anticipated 'Eternal Derby' between Hajduk and Dinamo, while Osijek and Rijeka both complicated their fight for the title. Here is our HNL round 27 recap. 

Šibenik v. Lokomotiva (1:4)

Sibenik and Lokomotiva opened the 27th round on Friday, March 11, 2022, in Sibenik in front of 405 fans. 

Grezda put Sibenik in the lead with a goal in the 14th minute for 1:0. Kacavenda equalized for 1:1 in the 65th minute before Soldo put Lokomotiva in the lead two minutes later. Sibenik's Peric received his second yellow less than 5 minutes later, forcing Sibenik to play with a man down for the remainder of the match. Kacavenda scored again to make it 1:3 in the 76th minute and Tuci scored for 1:4 to confirm the Lokomotiva victory. 

Sibenik is currently in 8th place with 26 points while Lokomotiva is in 5th with 36. 

Slaven Belupo v. Istra 1961 (0:0)

Slaven Belupo and Istra met in Koprivnica on Saturday, March 12, 2022.

Neither team was able to score and the match ended 0:0. Belupo had 17 total shots to Istra's 7, of which only 4 were on target (Istra had only 2). Belupo received 5 yellow cards to Istra's 4. 

Belupo is currently in 7th place with 30 points, while Istra is in 9th with 24. 

Hajduk v. Dinamo (0:0)

Hajduk and Dinamo met for the highly anticipated 'Eternal Derby' at Poljud on Saturday, March 12. 

While the atmosphere was better than ever at the sold-out Poljud, for the first time full thanks solely to Hajduk's members and season ticket holders, the derby itself was one of the less exciting meetings between the two rivals. The match went without goals, though Hajdkuk had 3 shots on target to Dinamo's 0. Hajduk had slightly less possession than Dinamo (44%/56%). 

Hajduk is currently in 4th place with 49 points and a game in hand, while Dinamo is in 1st with 54 points and a game in hand. These two teams play last season's makeup match on April 20 at Poljud. 

Dragovoljac v. Rijeka (2:1)

Dragovoljac and Rijeka met in Zagreb on Sunday, March 13, 2022. 

Certainly the most shocking match of this round, Dragovoljac took the lead in the 23rd minute thanks to Peric (1:0). Peric opened the second half with another goal for 2:0 in the 50th minute. Ampem gave Rijeka some hope in the 74th minute scoring for 2:1, while VAR recalled a Dragovoljac goal in the 83rd minute for being offside. 

Dragovoljac is currently in the last place with 13 points, while Rijeka is in 3rd with 52. 

Osijek v. Gorica (0:0)

Osijek and Gorica closed out the 27th round on March 13, 2022, at City Garden Stadium. 

Yet another match of the 27th round that went without goals, Osijek had only 51% possession to Gorica's 49%. Osijek also had only 3 shots on target to Gorica's 6!

Osijek is currently in 2nd place with 54 points, while Gorica is in 6th place with 33 points. 

You can see the HNL standings HERE. 

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

March 9, 2022 - History has been made at Poljud, as Hajduk season ticket holders and club members have sold out the stadium for the first time - and what better way than for the derby against Dinamo this weekend. 

Hajduk will play the biggest Croatian football derby against Dinamo at Poljud in the 27th round of the Croatian First League on Saturday at 18:00. 

Not only will Hajduk host Dinamo in front of a sold-out Poljud, but for the first time in history, tickets were bought exclusively by Hajduk season ticket holders and club members.

During the release of tickets, Hajduk indicated that until the day of the match, members would have priority for tickets, and there are currently more than 62,000 of them! Hajduk pointed out that the unsold tickets would go on sale on Saturday. However, that will no longer be necessary as members showed incredible enthusiasm and secured all available tickets.

"For the first time in the club's history, only season ticket holders and Hajduk club members filled the entire Poljud stadium for the Hajduk - Dinamo derby!" Hajduk announced on social media Tuesday night. About 1700 Dinamo fans are expected on Saturday (1470 in the southwest sector).

This will be the fourth consecutive game at Poljud where Hajduk fans bought all available tickets. Poljud was full in December against Osijek, and against Slaven Belupo and Rijeka in February, the maximum number of spectators filled the stands, considering the epidemiological measures that were in force at the time (and the closure of the North stand against Belupo).

Ahead of the 27th round, Dinamo is in first place in the standings with 53 points, and Hajduk is currently in fourth place with five points less. In the last round, Hajduk played 1:1 against Istra 1961 in Pula, while Dinamo defeated Šibenik 3:0 at home.

This is only the second time that Hajduk and Dinamo will compete in the current season. The first match was postponed at the request of GNK Dinamo due to their group stage appearance in the UEFA Europa League. A recent decision confirmed the new date for that match - April 20 at 19:00 in Split. 

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

March 7, 2022 - The 26th round of the Croatian First League was played from March 4 to 6, 2022. Osijek and Hajduk recorded draws in this round, while Dinamo and Rijeka booked 3:0 victories. Here is our HNL round 26 recap. 

Lokomotiva v. Osijek (0:0)

Lokomotiva and Osijek opened the 26th round on Friday, March 4, 2022, in Zagreb in front of 884 fans. 

Neither team was able to score, and the match ended 0:0. 

Lokomotiva is currently in 5th place with 33 points, while Osijek has dropped to 2nd place with 53. 

Dinamo v. Sibenik (3:0)

Dinamo and Sibenik met on Satuday, March 5, 2022, at Maksimir in front of 2,421 fans. 

Bockaj scored Dinamo's first goal for 1:0 in the 16th minute. Petkovic increased Dinamo's lead with a goal in the 58th minute for 2:0. Finally, Baturina secured Dinamo's victory with a goal for 3:0 in the 76th minute. 

Dinamo has moved back to first place with 53 points and a game in hand, while Sibenik is in 8th place with 26 points. 

Rijeka v. Slaven Belupo (3:0)

Rijeka and Belupo met on Saturday, March 5, 2022, at Rujevica in front of 3,421 fans. 

While the first half went without goals, Vuckic scored for the Rijeka lead in the 55th minute for 1:0. Drmic increased Rijeka's lead to 2:0 in the 70th minute, before Čerin made it 3:0 9 minutes later, which was the final score. 

Rijeka is currently in 3rd place with 52 points, while Belupo is in 7th with 29. 

Gorica v. Hr. Dragovoljac (4:0)

Gorica and Dragovoljac met on Sunday, March 6, 2022, in Velika Gorica. 

Though Kalik missed a penalty in the 10th minute for Gorica, Atiemwen scored the second-awarded penalty for Gorica in the 22nd minute for 1:0. Subaric received a red card for Dragovoljac in the 45th minute, forcing them to play with a man down for the remainder of the match. Muhammed scored for 2:0 Gorica in the 47th minute, followed by Da Cruz for 3:0 in the 52nd and Kalik for 4:0 in the 59th. 

Gorica is currently in 6th place with 32 points, while Dragovoljac is in last place with 10. 

Istra 1961 v. Hajduk (1:1)

Istra and Hajduk closed out the 26th round on Sunday, March 6, 2022, in Pula. 

Nikola Kalinić scored his first goal for Hajduk since he's returned in the 30th minute for 0:1. Drena Beljo equalized for Istra in the 54th minute for 1:1. Hajduk scored one minute later though it was ultimately recalled thanks to VAR. The match ended 1:1. 

Istra is currently in 9th place with 23 points, while Hajduk is in 4th with 48 and a game in hand. 

You can see the full HNL standings HERE. 

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

March 6th, 2022 - A Hajduk flag featured at an art exhibition in Zagreb was forcibly removed from the gallery window by a group of Bad Blue Boys

An exhibition by Croatian artist Josipa Škrapić, entitled ‘Lambs are light, they are easy to carry’, opened earlier this week at the Karas Gallery in Zagreb. Designed in the form of an ethnographic diary, the exhibition is dedicated to her father, known as Škrapa.

The artist documented her father’s everyday life, filming him and writing down their conversations. Along with a documentary film and other visual exhibits, a number of artefacts belonging to Škrapa are displayed in the gallery space. Among the displayed objects are three different Hajduk flags, one of which was originally hung in the gallery window.

Not for long, though, as a group of Dinamo fans didn’t seem to like an emblem of Hajduk making such a public appearance in Zagreb and took matters into their own hands. They entered the gallery as the exhibition was about to open and stole the flag, writes Jutarnji list.

Following the incident, the Croatian Association of Visual Artists (HDLU) stated: ‘The act of displaying Škrapa's Hajduk flag in Zvonimirova Street in Zagreb provoked an excessive and rather aggressive reaction, to say the least, of young members of the Bad Blue Boys, who burst into the gallery and stole the flag from the gallery window before the exhibition opening and quickly left, only to call for reinforcements ten minutes later, who eventually entered the gallery in a very decisive manner and gave a vocal warning that the Hajduk flag should no longer be hung in the gallery window in Zvonimirova, or we’d get it.

We’re not exactly sure what we’re supposed to get, but we condemn this act of theft and violence devoid of any openness to communication. It’s interesting to note that other flags which were displayed in cases inside the gallery were ‘allowed’. The artist herself agrees with the position of the HDLU, but she also believes that in this context the event is becoming a reactive extension of the artwork.’

Now a flag short, the exhibition will remain open until March 13th.

February 28, 2022 - The 25th round of the Croatian First League was played from February 25 to 27, 2022. This round saw two of Croatia's biggest derbies - between Hajduk and Rijeka, and Osijek and Dinamo. Here's our HNL round 25 recap. 

Slaven Belupo v. Hr. Dragovoljac (1:0)

Slaven Belupo and Dragovoljac opened the 25th round in Koprivnica on February 25, 2022, in front of 753 fans. 

The only goal of the match came in the 64th minute from a Brkovic penalty. 

Belupo is currently in 6th place with 29 points, while Dragovoljac is in last place with 10. 

Lokomotiva v. Gorica (2:0)

Lokomotiva and Gorica met on Saturday, February 26, 2022, in Zagreb in front of 319 fans.

Kulenovic scored Lokomotiva's first goal for 1:0 in the 18th minute. Pivaric missed a penalty in the 60th minute, though Dabro increased Lokomotiva's lead to 2:0 in the 72nd minute, which was the final score. 

Lokomotiva is currently in 5th place with 32 points, while Gorica is in 7th place with 29. 

Hajduk v. Rijeka (1:3)

Hajduk and Rijeka met in the Adriatic Derby at Poljud on Saturday, February 26, 2022, in front of 11,453 fans. 

Drmic put Rijeka in the lead in the 17th minute, before Vuckic made it 0:2 for Rijeka in the 33rd. Livaja put Hajduk on the board in the 69th minute for 1:2, though Kresic secured Rijeka's 1:3 victory in the 86th minute.

Hajduk is currently in 4th place with 47 points and a game in hand, while Rijeka is in 3rd with 49. 

Sibenik v. Istra 1961 (2:1)

Sibenik and Istra met in Sibenik on Sunday, February 27, 2022, in front of 776 fans. 

Drena Beljo scored moments before the halftime whistle for 0:1 Istra. Marin equalized in the 53rd for 1:1, before Delic scored for 2:1 and the Sibenik win in the 63rd minute. 

Sibenik is currently in 8th place with 26 points, while Istra is in 9th place with 22. 

Osijek v. Dinamo (1:0)

Osijek and Dinamo closed out the 25th round with the highly anticipated match for first place on Sunday, February 27, 2022, in front of 6,676 fans. 

The only goal of the match came in the 77th minute thanks to Osijek's Mance. 

Osijek has now jumped to first place with 52 points, while Dinamo is in 2nd with 50 and a game in hand. 

You can see the HNL standings HERE. 

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

February 22, 2022 - Marko Livaja is the second-best goal scorer in the world this year, according to the popular Transfermarkt website. 

After a hat-trick in the 24th round of the First HNL between Hr. Dragovoljac and Hajduk played at Kranjčevićeva stadium (0:3), Marko Livaja reached the 21st goal of this season in the Croatian football championship, reports Gol.hr. 

With these goals, Livaja became the most efficient Hajduk player in a single season since Croatian independence. 

Livaja has scored at least one goal this season against each of the First League clubs. He has scored four goals against Istra 1961, three goals each against Slaven Belupo, Hr. Dragovoljac, and Gorica, twice against Šibenik, Rijeka and Lokomotiva, and once against Dinamo and Osijek. In addition to 21 championship goals, he recorded five assists.

These are impressive statistics during his year back at Hajduk. In 43 official appearances in all competitions, he scored 32 goals and added 16 assists!

Transfermarkt has also taken notice. 

Namely, since the beginning of 2022, Livaja has scored eight goals in four league matches, making him the second-best goal scorer in the world, according to the popular website Transfermarkt website. 

If we look at the ratio of goals and appearances since the beginning of this year, only Robert Lewandowski scored more Championship goals than Hajduk's best player and Croatia national team member.

The Polish striker recorded nine goals in six games in the German Bundesliga, which means that he scores every 60 minutes on average, while Livaja scored eight goals in four rounds of the First HNL.

However, Livaja needs 15 minutes less to score, finding the back of the net on average every 45 minutes!

For the record, this data only applies to the first leagues of world football.

Furthermore, Livaja is 11th in the standings for the European Golden Boot!

Ranking of the best strikers in the world in 2022

Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich) - 6 appearances / 9 goals
Marko Livaja (Hajduk) - 4 appearances / 8 goals
Franck Etouga (Asante) - 7 appearances / 8 goals
Bartholomew Ogbeche (Hyderbad) - 8 appearances / 8 goals
Akram Afif (Al-Sadd) - 5 appearances / 7 goals

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

February 21, 2022 - The 24th round of the Croatian First League was held from February 18 to 20, 2022. This round saw a Livaja hattrick for the Hajduk win, a last-minute goal for Osijek over Istra, and a 0:0 draw a Maksimir to shake up the top of the standings. Here is our HNL round 24 recap. 

Gorica v. Slaven Belupo (0:3)

Gorica and Slaven Belupo opened the 24th round on Friday, February 18, 2022, in Velika Gorica in front of 285 fans. 

Caimacov scored an early first goal of the match for 0:1 Belupo in the 2nd minute. Zvonarek increased Belupo's lead to 0:2 in the 10th minute. A Jovicic red card forced Gorica to play with a man down from the 56th minute, after which Marina scored a penalty for 0:3, the final score. 

Gorica is currently in 6th place with 29 points, while Belupo is in 7th with 26. 

Hr Dragovoljac v. Hajduk (0:3)

Dragovoljac and Hajduk met on Saturday, February 19, 2022, in Zagreb in front of 1,650 fans. 

Hajduk was awarded a penalty in the 32nd minute, which Marko Livaja scored for 0:1. Livaja was solid on another Hajduk penalty in the 74th minute for 0:2, before a Biuk assist found Livaja for the final 0:3 in the 79th minute. 

Dragovoljac is currently in the last place with 10 points, while Hajduk is in 3rd with 47 and a game in hand. 

Istra 1961 v. Osijek (2:3)

Istra and Osijek met on Saturday, February 19, 2022, in Pula in front of 762 fans. 

A Caktas goal put Osijek ahead in the 27th minute for 0:1. Zaper made it 0:2 13 minutes later. Then, Beljo scored for 1:2 in the 57th minute before Galilea equalized in the 84th minute. Finally, Mance scored in the 6th minute of stoppage time for the 2:3 Osijek win. 

Istra is currently in 9th place with 22 points, while Osijek is in 2nd with 49. 

Rijeka v. Sibenik (4:2)

Rijeka and Sibenik met on Sunday, February 20, 2022, at Rujevica Stadium in front of 3,084 fans. 

Selahi scored for 1:0 Rijeka in the 16th minute. VAR called Sibenik's goal offside in the 23rd minute. Vuckic made it 2:0 for Rijeka in the 34th. Muric and Vuckic made it 4:0 by the 66th minute, before Sibenik scored two goals in the 70th and 84th for the final 4:2. 

Rijeka is currently in 4th place with 46 points, while Sibenik is in 8th with 23. 

Dinamo v. Lokomotiva (0:0)

Dinamo and Lokomotiva closed out the 24th round on Sunday at Maksimir in front of 1,886 fans. 

Neither team was able to score, and the match ended 0:0.

Dinamo is currently in first place with 50 points and a game in hand, while Lokomotiva is in 5th place with 29 points. 

You can see the HNL standings HERE. 

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