February 16, 2022 - NK Osijek managed to stir up the final hours of the HNL transfer window by bringing the high-in-demand Kristijan Lovrić from Gorica to City Garden. 

The First HNL transfer window has been concluded - and it ended with a bomb and the unexpected transfer of Kristijan Lovrić from Gorica to Osijek. 

The 26-year-old winger has played 21 games in the First HNL this season. Lovrić spent 1,803 minutes on the pitch, which was enough for him to score seven goals and five assists. He added three appearances and three goals in the Cup. His market value according to Transfermarkt is five million euros.

Gorica should earn around two million euros for Lovrić, and the player signed with Osijek for four and a half years.

"After three and a half years, 120 appearances, 54 goals, and 29 assists in the HNK Gorica jersey, Kristijan Lovrić left our club and became a player of NK Osijek," Gorica announced on its Facebook confirming the news. 

Lovrić arrived as a replacement for Petar Bočkaj, who moved to Dinamo Zagreb on Christmas Eve for 2.5 million euros. After the arrival of Mijo Caktaš this winter, Lovrić is the second big reinforcement for Osijek, who are now even more ready to fight with Dinamo, Hajduk, and Rijeka.

Along with Petar Bočkaj, Dinamo also brought Azerbaijani Mahir Emreli from the Warsaw Legia, and released left-back Marin Leovac to Osijek.

Along with Lovrić, Osijek brought Mijo Caktaš, who terminated his contract with Saudi club Damac. Kristian Fućak, Vinko Petković, Alen Grgić, Antonio Mance, and Diego Barri arrived with Caktaš.

Hajduk also had a successful transfer period. Midfielder Lukas Grgić, right back Dino Mikanović, stopper Ferro and forward Nikola Kalinić have joined the team. Among the significant departures is stopper Kristian Dimitrov to the Romanian CFR Cluj. Hajduk earned half a million euros by selling Marin Jakoliš to Angers, France.

Rijeka brought stopper Sava-Arangel Čestić from Cologne, Germany, free of charge. Colombian right-back Andres Solano from Atletico Madrid's B team also arrived. Rijeka was left without an important first-team player Ivan Tomečak who went to Paphos, Cyprus. 

Source: Gol.hr

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

February 15th, 2022 - The football club from Rijeka launched a crypto token and raised close to half a million kuna in six days of presale

Orijent recently launched a fan token ($ORI) and offered it for purchase in a week-long presale, reports Novi list.

The club that competes in the Second HNL joins Dinamo and HNS as the pioneers of cryptocurrency in Croatian football.

A fan token is a form of cryptocurrency used to reward fans by giving them benefits like voting on club decisions, interacting with the club and players, and a chance to win exclusive rewards.

The club published the following statement on their site:

‘We are proud to inform you that the presale of the $ORI Token has been successfully completed seven days after its announcement!

Namely, on the sixth day of the presale, the SoftCap of 100 BNB was reached - a predefined amount that guarantees the safe entry of the Orijent token on the cryptocurrency market.

Not only that, but here’s the total sold in 7 days of the presale:

172.82 BNB (which equals HRK 487.382,56 at the time of writing)
648.075 $ORI Tokens found their owners

We’re the only football club in Croatia alongside the Croatian Football Federation (HNS) and Dinamo to have successfully launched their token in the world of cryptocurrency.

The successful completion of this project is yet another proof that the ‘red and black’ club from Krimeja has a community of loyal fans and supporters, true sponsors and partners, who got [the club] to the top - in terms of football, organisation, infrastructure, and now in the segment of digitalization as well.

It takes 48 hours from the end of the presale for the cryptocurrency to become available on the stock exchange, i.e. for its trading to begin.

What we already know is that Orijent 1919 will offer its fans numerous interactions, prize contests, voting options, opportunities to win tokens, and so many other future things which we already look forward to.

As we’ve promised, together we enter the world of cryptocurrency, and together we create the future of Orijent.

We’re also looking forward to the Orijent mobile app which will fully come to life in the coming days, and keep the club close to loyal fans and all other users.

By downloading the application, the user enters a carefully designed ‘red and white’ world in which, apart from season passes and other tickets, they’ll be able to buy all products from the fan shop, enjoy special benefits such as discounts from our partner companies, track changes in the second league in real time, and much more.

The FAN Token will be available for purchase in the app from April 1st, 2022.

Users will be able to use the purchased tokens within the app, spend them on various things, but also win some ORI through individual prize contests.

We again wish to say a huge thank you to everyone who recognised this project of Orijent and together with us made another big step forward’, reads the announcement.

More information about the ORI fan token can be found here: Fan Tokens HNK Orijent 1919

Cryptocurrency trading can lead to large and immediate financial losses. Transactions in cryptocurrency may be irreversible, and, accordingly, losses due to fraudulent or accidental transactions may not be recoverable. The nature of cryptocurrency may lead to an increased risk of fraud or cyber attack.

February 14, 2022 - The 23rd round of the Croatian First League was held from February 11 to 13, 2022. This round saw Dinamo defeat Gorica in the final minute, while Hajduk's 111th birthday victory pushed them into 3rd place ahead of Rijeka. Here's our HNL round 23 recap. 

Šibenik v. Hr. Dragovoljac (0:5)

The 23rd round opened on Friday, February 11, 2022, between Sibenik and Dragovoljac in Sibenik and was perhaps the most shocking game of the round. 

The last-placed Dragovolac scored three goals in the first half thanks to Karrica (19'), Bristric (22'), and Majstorovic (45+3'). Galesic opened the second half with an early goal to make it 0:4 in the 49th minute before Frigan scored for 0:5 in the 75th. 

Sibenik is currently in 7th place with 23 points, while Dragovoljac is in 10th with 10.

Lokomotiva v. Istra 1961 (1:1)

Lokomotiva and Istra met on Saturday, February 12, 2022, in Zagreb.

While the first half went without goals, Lokomotiva'ss Salihu was booked for a double yellow at the end of the first half, forcing Lokomotiva to play with a man down for the remainder of the match. Drena Beljo put Istra in the lead in the 54th minute for 0:1, though Kulenovic equalized for 1:1 in the 80th minute.

Lokomotiva is currently in 6th place with 28 points, while Istra is in 9th with 22. 

Dinamo v. Gorica (2:1)

On Saturday, February 12, 2022, Dinamo and Gorica met at Maksimir stadium. 

While the first half went without goals, Ademi put Dinamo ahead in the 55th minute for 1:0. Kalik equalized less than 10 minutes later for 1:1. Finally, Orsic gave Dinamo the victory with a last-minute goal in the 89th for 2:1. 

Dinamo is currently in first place with 49 points and a game in hand, while Gorica is in 5th place with 29 points. 

Hajduk v. Slaven Belupo (3:1)

Hajduk and Belupo met on Sunday, February 13, 2022, at Poljud stadium. It was also Hajduk's 111th birthday. 

Nikola Kalinic made his re-debut for Hajduk on Sunday and played a part in the first goal, which Sahiti scored for 1:0 in the 13th minute. Grgic increased Hajduk's lead to 2:0 in the 26th. Zapata gave Belupo some hope in the 52nd minute with a goal for 2:1, but a double yellow for Bosec 10 minutes later had Belupo playing with a man down for the rest of the match. Livaja scored a penalty in the 71st for the final 3:1. 

Hajduk is currently in 3rd place with 44 points and a game in hand, while Belupo is in 8th with 23. 

Osijek v. Rijeka (1:0)

Osijek and Rijeka closed out the 23rd round with a derby on Sunday, February 13, 2022. 

The first half went without goals, and an own goal by Cestic decided the winner in the 85th minute. Rijeka's Abass was booked for his second yellow in the 3rd minute of stoppage time. 

Osijek is currently in 2nd place with 46 points, while Rijeka dropped to 4th with 43. 

You can see the full HNL standings HERE.

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

February 13, 2022 - The Croatian Football Federation (HNS) and Croatian Sports Museum in Zagreb will work together to preserve Croatian sports heritage.

The Croatian Football Federation has decided to cooperate with the Croatian Sports Museum to bring awareness to the importance of preserving sports memories and athletes who contribute to Croatian sports heritage daily. As a result, the two organizations have concluded an Agreement on Cooperation in Preserving Sports Heritage. This agreement, which will serve as a basis for future cooperation, ensures the preservation of Croatian sports heritage in the Museum today and for all future generations, reports HNS.

With this Agreement, the Croatian Sports Museum will be richer for a part of the valuable legacy of Croatian football. With its glorious history and significant achievements, it is inscribed in golden letters in the history of Croatian sport. In this context, the Museum in the near future will be able to boast of valuable exhibitions of the Croatian Football Federation, such as historical medals of the A national team, essential publications, books, brochures, tickets, calendars, jerseys, photographs, and souvenirs.

The Croatian Sports Museum bases its activities on the educational and cohesive potentials of sports and strives to present the history and social significance of sports in Croatian society to the general public in a modern, educational, and scientifically based way.

The Croatian Sports Museum idea was born between 1952 and 1959 when the first sports and physical exercise items were collected. In 1965, the Initiative to establish a Museum of Physical Culture of Croatia was established. Ten years later, the Croatian Museum Council entered the Museum of Physical Culture of Croatia into the list of museum institutions of Croatia. However, establishing the Croatian Sports Museum was not adopted by the Croatian Government until 2003, after which the Croatian Sports Museum became a national museum.

Today, the Croatian Sports Museum is located on Illica 13 in Zagreb. Danira Nakić Bilić was named the new director of the museum in 2017.

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

February 4, 2022 - Zlatko Dalić spoke to Nova TV after the friendly tournament in Doha was announced, saying he will experiment with a Croatia formation change, namely three players in the back. 

The Croatian Football Federation has agreed to represent the Croatia national team in a friendly tournament that will be played in Qatar in March, during which Croatia will play two matches. Namely, Croatia will play Slovenia on March 26, and Bulgaria three days later. In an interview with Nova TV, coach Zlatko Dalić commented on the national team preparations ahead of the 2022 World Cup.

"My wish was to go to Qatar, to prepare for what awaits us, what is to come in November, to get to know the climate, the terrain, and the ambiance. I am very pleased with this preparatory tour, these matches. They are not extra-quality opponents, but they are certainly good for us at the moment. We expect two really good games. We expect, of course, two wins and good play."

Dalić was asked if Croatia would try to play in a system with three players in the back. "Well, we're going to try to do something about it. We're going to have eight days now to try that. And that is in our plan."

Dalić desires to work on teamwork: "We want to spend those eight days in Qatar as one big team building event, to support each other. So far, every time we gathered, there was a lot of pressure, the imperative of a victory. This time, it is also imperative to win, but it will be a little more relaxed and supportive. We want these new players, and there are several of them, to get better acquainted with the national team and to create a new community."

Recall, the matches will be played at the stadiums in Doha, where the FIFA World Cup will be played. The exact timetables and stadiums will be defined later, and HNS will inform fans promptly about ticket sales. 

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

February 2, 2022 - The Croatia national team will participate in a Doha friendly tournament next month as preparation for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar this December. 

The Croatian Football Federation management has agreed that the Croatia national team will play a friendly tournament in Qatar in March. Croatia will play two matches in Doha, reports HNS.

Croatia will face Slovenia on March 26 and will play Bulgaria three days later. The national team of Qatar will also play in the tournament, against Bulgaria (March 26) and Slovenia (March 29). The matches will be played at the stadiums in Doha where the FIFA World Cup matches will be played. The exact timetables and stadiums will be defined later, and HNS will inform fans in a timely manner about the possibilities of buying tickets.

"We wanted to play in Doha in March, so I thank the leadership of the Federation for agreeing to participate in this tournament - it will be a great opportunity to get to know Qatar and feel the conditions that await us - climate, infrastructure, culture.

I think the opponents are tailor-made, two quality teams that will be a good test for what awaits us next. First of all, we are looking forward to the gathering, to continue to build a community that will be key to success in the competitions that await us later in the year," said the Croatia national team coach, Zlatko Dalić.

"We are glad that we have reached an agreement on participating in this tournament in Doha, given the desire of the coach Dalić and the national team to play in Qatar, so that we can acclimatize to everything that awaits us at the end of the year. The most important thing is that our direct placement in Qatar has enabled us a peaceful year in which we can prepare well for the World Cup, and participating in this tournament will be an important step in that direction," said HNS President Marijan Kustić.

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

February 2, 2022 - This March, young girls all over Croatia will have the opportunity to participate in the UEFA Playmakers program and enjoy football through innovative and fun training programs that follow the most popular Disney animated hits. 

What is the UEFA Playmakers program?
Namely, HNS reports that the UEFA Playmakers is a pan-European program promoting women's football, which was created in cooperation between Uefa and Disney. The Croatian Football Federation is thus introducing the program in Croatia on March 1. The program is intended for girls aged 5 to 8 and is adapted to girls who have never played football or participated in a sport before.

The program has a unique approach based on scientific research from Uefa and Leeds Beckett University. It focuses on narration, acting, imagination, and children's play as the main elements in encouraging girls to play football and develop motor and physical skills.

In Croatia, the program will take place in 2022 and 2023, and four editions will be organized. The first edition - in March 2022 - will follow the animated film Frozen 2.

Each edition of the program will consist of ten trainings. The girls will embody characters from Disney's most popular animated films, such as Frozen and The Incredibles, and learn basic football skills.

The training will take place on the fields and/or in the halls of women's football clubs so that girls can join the clubs and continue playing football after participating in the UEFA Playmakers program.

The ambassador of the UEFA Playmakers project in Croatia is the former celebrated Croatia national team member and current coach of the Croatia U-19 national team Niko Kranjčar, who stressed the importance of the game in encouraging children to play sports:

"I like this program for several reasons - I'm a big fan of cartoons, especially Disney, and I'm also a big fan of sports, and I believe that all children should have the opportunity to play sports. This initiative is a great way for young children to get in the habit of playing sports through playfulness and fun, which, in my opinion, are the most important parts of sports."

What makes UEFA Playmakers special?
Unlike traditional football programs, each of the ten trainings in each edition of UEFA Playmakers follows animated hits such as Frozen 2 and The Incredibles 2. Girls participating in the training will have the opportunity to embody popular characters such as Elsa and Anna and Incredibles heroes, develop basic football skills and cooperate, all while using their imagination.

The fundamental goal of the first few trainings is to encourage girls to gain self-confidence in their sports skills and to think creatively and communicate with other participants in the program. In the program's continuation, coaches introduce exercises that develop fundamental football skills, but the emphasis remains on relaxed playing and fun.

"The development of women's football and encouraging girls to play football are essential goals of HNS, and we believe that this program, along with many other programs for the development of women's football that we already implement, can be of great benefit to the development of our women’s soccer base. As a long-time coach who has worked with young people and as the main instructor who has worked with young players, I see a lot of potential in the approach used by UEFA Playmakers - I think that playing and acting is a great way to introduce football to girls and to lay the foundations for their football through a positive and fun experience.

The football centers that will implement the UEFA Playmakers program in cooperation with HNS are closely connected with women's football clubs, and we hope that the girls will love football through this non-competitive, fun training, and want to continue their football travels in clubs," said Chief Instructor of the Croatian Football Federation Petar Krpan.

Where and when is the UEFA Playmakers program held in Croatia?
The program will be held in 30 football centers in Croatia so that girls from all over Croatia can participate. Trainings will be held in Zagreb, Rijeka, Split, Osijek, Dubrovnik, Čakovec, Ivanec, Karlovac, Kaštela, Koprivnica, Lepoglava, Metković, Požega, Pregrada, Pula, Slavonski Brod, Velika Gorica, Vinkovci, Zadar and Županja.

The first edition of the program starts in March, and parents can register their girls today (from 5 to 8 years old) to participate via the link. The second edition will begin in May this year, while the third and fourth editions will be organized in the fall of 2022 and spring 2023, respectively.

An approach based on scientific research and previous positive experiences
The emphasis on learning through play and acting - at the heart of UEFA Playmakers - is based on scientific research conducted by UEFA under the auspices of UEFA Beckett University in Leeds, which has shown the critical role of entertainment and non-competitiveness in encouraging girls to the way they start playing sports. The UEFA Playmakers program is also based on the exchange of knowledge between Uefa and the England Football Federation, running the "Shooting Stars" program in collaboration with Disney for several years.

The program's main goal is to encourage girls to play football through fun, non-competitive training and provide them with an easy way to gain more confidence and security when it comes to sports activities.

Through a combination of Disney's popular stories and characters and academic recommendations that show the positive role of narration and acting in promoting sport among children, UEFA Playmakers aims to increase the proportion of girls in Europe who meet the World Health Organization's recommendations for sports and physical activity. This program is crucial for HNS and Croatia because Croatia is among the poorest members of the European Union when it comes to the share of the population that meets the health recommendations for physical activity. The percentage of women who meet these recommendations is particularly low.

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

January 31, 2022 - The 21st round of the Croatian First League was held from January 28 to 30, 2022. The Croatian First League thus returned from a long winter break, with the first part of the season ending on December 19, 2021. Here is our HNL round 21 recap. 

Istria 1961 v. Gorica (2:1)

Istra and Gorica opened the 21st round and the second part of the season on Friday, January 28, 2022, in front of 262 fans. 

Jovicic put Gorica in the early lead for 0:1 in the 6th minute. Perkovic scored the equalizer to open the second half for 1:1 in the 58th minute. Drena Beljo put Istra in the lead in the 74th minute and ultimately gave them the 2:1 win. 

Istra is currently in 9th place with 21 points, while Gorica is in 5th with 29. 

Osijek v. Slaven Belupo (1:2)

Osijek and Belupo met at City Garden Stadium on Saturday, January 29, 2022, in front of 2,072 fans. 

While the first half went without goals, Belupo's Zvonarek put them ahead in the 49th minute for 0:1. Bozic scored for 0:2 Belupo in the 68th. Former Hajduk player Caktas scored in his Osijek debut for 1:2 in the 74th minute, the final score. 

Osijek is currently in 3rd place with 40 points, while Belupo is in 8th with 22. 

Šibenik v. Hajduk (1:3) 

Šibenik and Hajduk met on Saturday, January 29, 2022, at Šubićevac stadium in front of 1,156 fans. 

Hajduk took the lead thanks to a Livaja penalty in the 15th minute. Curic equalized 10 minutes later for 1:1, before a second Hajduk penalty was awarded before the half - Livaja nailed it for 1:2. Hajduk's final goal was a screamer from Krovinovic, who scored in the 68th minute for 1:3. 

Šibenik is currently in 7th place with 22 points, while Hajduk is in 4th with 38 points (and one game in hand). 

Lokomotiva v. Hr. Dragovoljac (2:1)

Lokomotiva and Dragovoljac met in Zagreb on Sunday, January 30, 2022. 

Hozda put Dragovoljac in the lead in the 22nd minute for 0:1, before Dabro equalized before the half for 1:1. Ibrahim opened the second half with a quick goal in the 46th minute for the final 2:1. Dragovoljac's Basic was sent off in the 87th minute for a double yellow. 

Lokomotiva is currently in 6th place with 27 points, while Dragovoljac is in 10th place with 7. 

Dinamo v. Rijeka (2:0)

Dinamo and Rijeka closed out the 21st round on Sunday, January 30, 2022, at Maksimmir Stadium. 

Sutalo scored for the Dinamo lead in the 22nd minute (1:0). Orsic made it 2:0 in the 42nd minute, the final score. 

Dinamo is currently in 1st place with 43 points (and a game in hand), while Rijeka is in 3rd with 40. 

You can see the HNL standings HERE. 

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

January 29, 2022 - It'll be a replay of the 2018 World Cup final, with the Croatian Football Federation announcing the 2022 Nations League match between Croatia and France will be played at Poljud on June 6, 2022. 

The Croatian Football Federation Executive Board has decided on the venues for the Croatia national team matches in the UEFA Nations League, opening in June this year, reports HNS. 

The 2018 World Cup finalist will host Austria on June 3 at City Garden Stadium in Osijek (20:45), and three days later a replay of the 2018 World Cup final between Croatia and France at Poljud in Split. The long-awaited spectacle against the 2018 world champions will also be played in the evening (20:45).

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In this June mini-cycle, the Croatia national team will also face Denmark (June 10) and France (June 13), both away. Croatia completes the Nations League in September with Denmark at home (September 22) and Austria away on September 25 (stadium to be determined). 

Thus, four Nations League rounds will be played from June 2 to 14, and the remaining two in the second half of September (from 22 to 27).

The Croatian Football Federation will announce ticket sale information in due time, but if the final 2022 World Cup qualifying match against Russia last November tells us anything, we can expect a sellout at Poljud Stadium in June - with hopefully much nicer weather. 

Croatia will not rest at the end of March, either. While the remaining second-placed European national teams will play additional World Cup qualifications, Croatia could play up to three friendly matches as part of their World Cup preparations.

Furthermore, the World Cup group draw will be held on April 1, 2022, in Doha. On that day, coach Dalić and the players will learn the three national teams they will compete against in the group stage of the World Cup. The 2022 World Cup will be hosted by Qatar from November 21 to December 18 this year. 

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

January 19, 2022 - The Croatian Football Federation announced on its official website that it would host a UEFA Executive Board session on Hvar in September this year.

The session could be critical in the context of the fight with FIFA over the biennial World Cup and the latest preparations for the World Cup in Qatar, which will be held from November 21 to December 18, 2022.

The leadership of the Croatian Football Federation has expressed interest in hosting a session of the Executive Board, and the Federation's headquarters confirmed that UEFA accepts the proposal. Accordingly, the UEFA session will be held on September 21 in Hvar.

"We look forward to holding this session in Croatia and have the opportunity to explore your beautiful country further," reads a letter signed by UEFA Secretary-General Theodore Theodoridis, quoted by the HNS website.

"I thank President Alexander Čeferin and the UEFA leadership for the great trust they have shown us. We are pleased with this decision because it confirms the excellent status that HNS enjoys in UEFA, and I am convinced that we will once again prove ourselves as excellent hosts and capable organizers of such events," said HNS President Marijan Kustić.

The UEFA Executive Board last met in Croatia in 2013, when the session was hosted in Dubrovnik.

Gol.hr reports that HNS president Marijan Kustić and his right-hand man and Čeferin's legal colleague Tomislav Svetina certainly did not accidentally throw Hvar on the table, which is an elite destination of Croatian tourism. Still, there is another important point in the whole story.

Well-known Slovenian lawyer and since September 2016 the leader of European football, UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin, will combine business and pleasure on Hvar. 

Namely, Čeferin has been spending his summers on Hvar for many years. Moreover, he has a house in the small town of Zavala, approximately in the central part of the sunniest Croatian island, and on the south side.

Hvar locals already know him well. Čeferin has a beautifully decorated house about 200 meters from the sea, and tall palm trees were brought by truck and planted in the garden. From the home terrace, there is a fantastic view of the open sea, and in the immediate vicinity is a small vineyard that completes the experience.

The UEFA Executive Board has 20 members, among them the former president of the HNS and still the top scorer of the Croatia national team - Davor Šuker.

Among the most famous people in the Croatian public are Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, a legend of German football and Bayern, and the president of PSG Nasser Al-Khelaifi. Both are members of the UEFA IO as representatives of the European Club Association (ECA), while the famous Spaniard Javier Tebas represents the Europa League (EL).

All major football nations have their representatives among the members of the IO. Sixteen of them are elected by the UEFA Congress, two representatives are given by the ECA and one by the EL, and the UEFA President has a seat on the IO by the logic of things.

Gol.hr assumes that Dejan Savičević, President of the Montenegrin Football Federation and one of the six UEFA envoys to the FIFA Council, will also attend the session.

As the UEFA President can invite third parties to attend UEFA Executive Board meetings in an advisory capacity, we expect other well-known football names.

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