February 15, 2021 - The 21st round of the Croatian First League was held from February 12 to 14, 2021.  This round features the battle for first place, in which Dinamo tops Osijek, while COVID-19 rips through Hajduk, forcing the postponement of Hajduk v Slaven Belupo at Poljud.

Varazdin v. Lokomotiva (0:1)

Varazdin and Lokomotiva opened the 21st round on Friday, February 12, 2021, in Varazdin. 

The only goal of the match came thanks to a penalty in the 29th minute, which Pivaric scored for 0:1. Lokomotiva's Leksic was sent off in the 2nd minute of added time at the end of the match. 

Varazdin is currently in 8th place with 19 points, while Lokomotiva is in 9th with 18 points. 

Gorica v. Sibenik (1:0)

Gorica and Sibenik met in Velika Gorica on Saturday, February 13, 2021. 

While the first half went without goals, Babec scored for Gorica to make it 1:0 in the 71st minute, which was the final score of the match. 

Gorica is currently in 3rd place with 39 points, while Sibenik is in 6th with 24. 

Dinamo v. Osijek (1:0)

Dinamo and Osijek met for the highly anticipated derby on Saturday, February 13, 2021, at Maksimir Stadium. 

Yet another low-scoring match, the only goal came in the 15th minute thanks to Orsic, which give Dinamo the 1:0 victory. Ristovski received a red card in the 77th minute, forcing Dinamo to play with a man down for the remainder of the match. 

Dinamo is currently in 1st place with 48 points, while Osijek is in 2nd with 45. 

Rijeka v. Istra 1961 (1:1)

Rijeka and Istra closed out the 21st round at Rujevica Stadium on Sunday, February 14, 2021. 

Grzan gave Istra the early lead in the 6th minute, but only two minutes later, Rijeka's Muric came back to equalize for 1:1, which was the final score of the match. 

Rijeka is currently in 4th place with 31 points, while Istra is in last place with 14 points. 

Hajduk was ravaged by COVID-19, which forced the postponement of their match against Slaven Belupo at Poljud on Sunday. The biggest derby against Dinamo on February 21 is under question as well. 

The Split club announced that it would ask for the match to be postponed because as many as 20 of the 33 members who traveled to Osijek and Rijeka have been infected. Namely, 12 players and eight staff members are COVID-19 positive. 

Split epidemiologists will send samples to Zagreb on Monday to find out if it is a new strain of coronavirus, or the UK variant. 

You can see the full HNL table HERE. 

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

February 9, 2021 - The 20th round of the Croatian First League was held from February 6 to 8, 2021. Osijek tops Hajduk in this round, and Dinamo narrowly defeats Istra to remain in first place thanks to a better goal differential. 

Osijek v. Hajduk (2:0)

Osijek and Hajduk opened the 20th round at City Garden Stadium on Saturday, February 6, 2021. 

While the first half went without goals, a Hajduk red card for Mujakic in the 51st minute significantly changed the game, and Osijek's Kleinheisler scored for 1:0 in the 59th minute. Mierez increased Osijek's lead in the 89th minute for 2:0, which was the final score of the match. 

Osijek is currently in 2nd place with 45 points, while Hajduk is in 5th with 23.  

Lokomotiva v. Rijeka (2:3)

Lokomotiva and Rijeka met in Zagreb on Saturday, February 6, 2021. 

Lokomotiva was the first to score with a goal by Kallaku in the 11th minute. Pivaric increased Lokomotiva's lead to 2:0 from a penalty in the 56th minute. A red card for Cipetic began Lokomotiva's decline, and a penalty from Muric made it 2:1 in the 71st. Another penalty for Muric gave Rijeka the equalizer in the first minute of added time (90+1'), and Kulenovic scored two minutes later for the Rijeka win. 

Lokomotiva is currently in 9th place with 15 points, while Rijeka is in 4th with 30. 

Sibenik v. Varazdin (0:0)

Sibenik and Varazdin met on Sunday, February 7, 2021, in Sibenik. 

The match ended without goals.

Sibenik is currently in 6th place with 21 points, while Varazdin is in 8th with 19. 

Istra 1961 v. Dinamo (0:1)

Istra and Dinamo met on Sunday, February 7, 2021, in Pula. 

The only goal of the match came in the 36th minute when Atiemwen scored for 0:1, which was the final result. 

Istra is currently in last place with 13 points, while Dinamo is in first place with 45. 

Slaven Belupo v. Gorica (0:1) 

Slaven Belupo and Gorica closed out the 20th round on Monday, February 9, 2021, in Koprivnica. 

The only goal of the match came in the 59th minute when Lovric scored for the 0:1 win. 

Belupo is currently in 7th place with 20 points, while Gorica is in 3rd with 36. 

You can see the full HNL table HERE.

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

February 4, 2021 - The 19th round of the Croatian First League was held mid-week, on February 2 and 3, 2021. In this round, Hajduk tops Istra, and Osijek records a 3:0 win against Slaven Belupo.

Osijek v. Slaven Belupo (3:0)

Osijek and Belupo opened the 19th round at City Garden Stadium on Tuesday, February 2, 2021.

Brlek opened the scoring spree for Osijek with a goal just before the whistle blew for halftime (45+3'). A quick goal to start the second half by Zaper made it 2:0 in the 52nd minute, and 3:0 in the 55th minute thanks to Bohar. 

Osijek is currently in 2nd place with 42 points, while Belupo is in 6th place with 20. 

Dinamo v. Lokomotiva (2:0)

Dinamo and Lokomotiva met for the Zagreb derby on Tuesday, February 2, 2021, at Masksimir Stadium. 

Gavranovic scored an early goal for Dinamo in the 9th minute for the 1:0 lead, which was the score at the half. Atiemwen increased Dinamo's lead to 2:0 in the 64th minute, which was the final result.

Dinamo is currently in 1st place with 42 points, while Lokomotiva is in 9th with 15. 

Varazdin v. Gorica (2:1)

Varazdin and Gorica met in Varazdin on Wednesday, February 3, 2021. 

While Gorica had the lead going into the first half thanks to a goal by Lovric (0:1), Obregon equalized for Varazdin in the 76th minute, and in the 90th minute, Boban gave Varazdin the lead and ultimately the 2:1 win.

Varazdin is currently in 8th place with 18 points, while Gorica is in 3rd with 33. 

Rijeka v. Sibenik (2:2)

Rijeka and Sibenik met at Rujevica Stadium on Wednesday, February 3, 2021. 

Sibenik shocked Rijeka with two goals in the 27th and 32nd minutes by Sahiti and Juric. Pavicic scored for Rijeka in the 35th to make it 1:2. 

It was until the final minutes of the match when VAR ultimately ruled in Rijeka's favor, and after an 11-minute ordeal, Rijeka was awarded a penalty, which Andrijasevic scored for 2:2 (90+10'). 

Rijeka is currently in 4th place with 27 points, while Sibenik is in 7th with 20. 

Hajduk v. Istra 1961 (1:0)

Hajduk and Istra closed out the 19th round at Poljud Stadium on Wednesday, February 3, 2021. 

The only goal of the game came in the 16th minute when Nayir scored for Hajduk. The same player, unfortunately, missed a penalty 10 minutes later to increase Hajduk's lead. 

Hajduk is currently in 5th place with 23 points, while Istra is in the last place with 13. 

You can see the full HNL table HERE.

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

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February 1, 2021 - The 18th round of the Croatian First League was held from January 29 to 31, 2021. This round saw Dinamo, Hajduk, and Rijeka all record losses, while Sibenik, Lokomitva, and Gorica celebrated. 

Slaven Belupo v. Varazdin (2:0)

Belupo and Varazdin opened the 18th round on Friday, January 29, 2021, in Koprivnica. 

Galvcic scored the first goal for Belupo in the 15th minute for the 1:0 lead. Knoll increased Belupo's lead just before halftime for 2:0, which was the final result of the match. 

Belupo is currently in 5th place with 20 points, while Varzdin is in 8th place with 15 points. 

Osijek v. Istra 1961 (1:0)

Osijek and Istra met at City Garden Stadium on Saturday, January 30, 2021. 

Mierez scored the only goal for Osijek in the 30th minute, which was the final score of the match. 

Osijek is currently in 2nd place with 39 points, while Istra is in the last place with 13 points. 

Dinamo v. Sibenik (1:2)

Dinamo and Sibenik met at Maksimir Stadium on Saturday, January 30, 2021. 

Sahiti put Sibenik in the lead for 0:1 in the 13th minute. Dinamo's Atiemwen equalized for 1:1 less than 10 minutes later. Juric put Sibenik back in the lead for 1:2 in the 65th minute, which was the final result. 

Dinamo is currently in 1st place with 39 points, while Sibenik is in 7th with 19. 

Hajduk v. Lokomotiva (0:1)

Hajduk and Lokomotiva met at Poljud on Saturday, January 30, 2021. 

The only goal of the game came in the 4th minute - Petrak scored for the Lokomotiva win. Hajduk captain Mijo Caktas missed a penalty in the 50th to equalize. 

Hajduk is currently in 6th place with 20 points, while Lokomotiva is in 9th with 15. 

Rijeka v. Gorica (0:2)

Rijeka and Gorica closed out the 18th round on Sunday, January 31, 2021, at Rujevica Stadium.

An own goal by Andrijasevic put Gorica ahead in the 27th minute. Lovric increased Gorica's lead to 0:2 at the half. The match ended with a red card for Rijeka's Capan and Gorica's Moro in the 4th minute of added time (90+4').

Rijeka is currently in 4th place with 26 points, while Gorica is in 3rd with 33. 

You can see the full HNL table HERE.

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

January 25, 2021 - The 17th round of the Croatian First League was held from January 22 to 24, 2021. This round saw wins for Osijek, Dinamo, and Hajduk, while Rijeka suffered a surprising loss to Varazdin.  

Lokomotiva v. Osijek (0:3)

Lokomotiva and Osijek opened the 17th round on Friday, January 22, 2021, in Zagreb.  

Osijek’s Mierez scored two goals in the first half - the first in the 18th minute, followed by a penalty in the 35th minute for 0:2 at the half. 

A red card for Papadopoulos saw Lokomotiva play with 10 men from the 48th minute, and Bohar scored for Osijek 10 minutes later for the final score of 0:3. 

Lokomotiva is currently in the last place with 12 points, while Osijek is in 2nd with 36. 

Sibenik v Hajduk (0:1)

Sibenik and Hajduk met on Friday, January 22, 2021, in Sibenik.

While the first half went without goals, Teklic scored for Hajduk in the 62nd minute. Caktas missed a penalty to increase Hajduk’s lead in the final minutes (90+3’), and the match ended 0:1.

Sibenik is currently in 8th place with 13 points, while Hajduk is in 5th place with 20. 

Varazdin v. Rijeka (2:1)

Varazdin and Rijeka met on Saturday, January 23, 2021, in Varazdin. 

Urata scored an early goal for Varazdin for 1:0 in the 3rd minute. Obregon increased Varazdin’s lead to 2:0 at the half. Kulenovic slightly reduced Varazdin’s lead with a goal for Rijeka in the 80th minute. The game ended at 2:1. 

Varazdin is in 7th place with 15 points, while Rijeka is in 4th with 23. 

Gorica v. Dinamo (3:4)

Gorica and Dinamo met on Saturday, January 23, 2021, in Velika Gorica. 

Dieye scored Gorica’s first goal for 1:0 in the 11th minute, while Ivanusec equalized in the 34th for 1:1. Orsic scored for the Dinamo lead seven minutes later for 1:2, and just two minutes after that, Gorica’s Lovric equalized for 2:2 at the half. 

Spikic made it 3:2 for Gorica in the 61st minute, and a Petkovic penalty saw Dinamo equalize again in the 89th minute. Theophile-Catherine scored in the 5th minute of added time for the 3:4 Dinamo win. 

Gorica is currently in 3rd place with 30 points, while Dinamo is in first with 36. 

Istra 1961 v. Slaven Belupo (2:1)

Istria and Belupo closed out the 17th round in Pula on Sunday, January 24, 2021. 

Glavcic put Belupo in the lead in the 10th minute, which was the result going into halftime. Spoljaric equalized thanks to a penalty in the 81st minute for 1:1, before scoring again in the first minute of added time for the 2:1 Istra win. 

Istra is currently in 9th place with 13 points, while Belupo is in 6th place with 17.  

You can see the full HNL table HERE.

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

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 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 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.