May 27, 2019 - The 36th round of the Croatian First League closed out the 2018/19 season on Sunday with the highly anticipated 'Eternal Derby’ between Dinamo and Hajduk. Sunday’s games, which were all held at 7 pm, also included a meeting between Osijek and Inter, and Lokomotiva and Gorica. 

Without further ado, here is our recap for the final round of the Croatian First League this season. 

Istra 1961 v. Rudeš (2:0)

Istra and Rudeš, the two worst-placed teams this season, met on Friday, May 24, 2019, in Pula to open the final round of the season in front of 392 fans. 

While the first half went without goals, Iglesias scored for Rudeš in the 63rd minute for 1:0, and Pavić secured the win for the home team thanks to a goal in the 92nd minute for 2:0. 

Istra ended the season in 9th place with 25 points, while Rudeš finished in last with 14. 

Slaven Belupo v. Rijeka (1:1)

Belupo and Rijeka met in Koprivnica on Saturday, May 25, 2019, in front of 872 fans. 

Another game where the first half went without goals, it was Belupo’s Plantak to score first for 1:0 in the 57th minute, though their lead didn’t last long thanks to an equalizer by Acosty in the 64th for 1:1. 

Belupo finished the season in 7th place with 37 points, while Rijeka finished in 2nd with 67. 

Osijek v. Inter Zaprešić (3:1)

Osijek and Inter met on Sunday, May 26, 2019, at City Garden Stadium in front of 2,820 fans. 

Inter was the first to score thanks to a goal by Postonjski in the 15th minute. Osijek equalized in the 42nd minute after Lepa scored for 1:1 at the half. 

Pilj put Osijek in the lead with a goal in the 50th minute, and Bočkaj closed out the victory for Osijek with a goal in the 83rd for 3:1. 

Osijek finished the season in 3rd place with 62 points, while Inter finished in 8th with 31. 

Lokomotiva v. Gorica (2:3)

Lokomotiva and Gorica met on Sunday, May 26, 2019, in Zagreb in front of 380 fans. 

Lovrić scored for Gorica in the 14th minute to put the away team in the lead at the half, though Ivanušec came back for Lokomotiva to equalize 1:1. Gorica retook the lead thanks to Miya’s goal in the 52nd, and Lovrić secured another in the 60th minute for 1:3. Burić was able to get one back for Lokomotiva in the 92nd minute, and the game ended 2:3. 

Lokomotiva finished the season in 6th place with 49 points, while Gorica finished in 5th with 59. 

Dinamo v. Hajduk (3:1)

Dinamo and Hajduk met on Sunday, May 26, 2019, to close out the final round of the 2018/19 season in front of 15,433 fans. 

Hajrović scored for Dinamo in the 20th minute for 1:0 at the half. Gavranović increased Dinamo’s lead at the start of the second half for 2:0 in the 49th minute and scored again less than 10 minutes later for 3:0. 

Hajduk was able to come back with one goal thanks to Caktaš in the 68th minute, who was named the top goalscorer of HNL this season. 

Dinamo finished the season in first place with 92 points, while Hajduk finished in 4th with 62 points. 

You can find the full table here. 

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

May 25, 2019 - In June, Croatia continues their Euro 2020 qualifications with the highly anticipated match against Wales.

The Croatia national football team will host Wales in its third qualifying match for Euro 2020 on Saturday, June 8, starting at 15:00 at City Garden Stadium in Osijek.

The Croatian Football Federation published details regarding the sale of tickets for the duel on Wednesday, May 22.

Namely, tickets for the game against Wales were available from May 23 via online sales and would stay available at the pre-sale price until June 2 at 23:59. Spectators could also purchase tickets at the box office at City Garden Stadium from May 23 to May 26 during the pre-sale. Pre-sale ticket prices ranged from 80 kuna for the East stands, to 150 kuna for the West. Ticket prices were meant to increase from 120 to 200 kuna once the pre-sale ended. 

And if you didn’t grab tickets during the pre-sale, you’re out of luck.

Namely, HNS announced that in just two days, all available tickets via the internet and box office at City Garden Stadium had been sold, confirming just how significant the interest is to witness two international football giants take the pitch in Osijek. 

The Osijek football club is actively working on expanding the capacity of the stadium - and if this opportunity is successfully realized, the Croatian Football Federation will offer additional tickets on sale and timely inform the public.

And if you’re still unable to snag tickets in Osijek, on June 11, Croatia will meet Tunisia in a friendly in Varaždin at 20:45. Tickets for the match against Tunisia can still be purchased online. Ticket sales at the Varteks stadium go on sale on June 9, from 9 am to 6 pm. All revenue from ticket sales will be donated for humanitarian purposes.

Ticket prices:
West Stands - 150 kn 
East Stands - 100kn 
South Stands - 50 kn

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

The Hajduk pioneers lost to Osijek in the Croatian Cup final last Tuesday, though it didn’t go without sharp criticism from Hajduk against referee Ante Čuljak and his assistants.

Namely, Čuljak distributed 11 yellow cards during the game, in which Hajduk lost 3:2. And even worse - Čuljak excluded two Hajduk players with red cards. 

The aftermath saw the exchange of several nasty words and the further critique of HNS.

An outraged Hajduk released the following statement: 

"Once again, the entire Croatian public has had a chance to see, through direct television broadcast, why HNK Hajduk insists on systematic and rooted changes in the referee organization.

Unfortunately, this time we have to respond because of the Croatian Cup final for the pioneers, where Hajduk lost to Osijek 3:2. In this meeting, referee Ante Čuljak from Zagreb distributed a total of 11 yellow cards and unjustifiably excluded two Hajduk players.

We ask the referees responsible what this message sends to children, our youngest, to those who represent the future of Croatian football and society. Is this a fairer football system and a more honest society we are fighting for? Or just the opposite? Would you like them to see that from their little legs, this has become almost common on Croatian football pitches? And this is not just a picture of injustices in senior football, but we have been witnessing a lot of absurd situations and decisions in meetings of all younger age categories lately. 

The tears of children after suffering injustice are our duty, our responsibility and the responsibility to fight harder and continue the way we started.”

Hajduk fan group Torcida invited fans to welcome Hajduk’s juniors back to Split and sent a sharp message to HNS.

"We do not forgive the tears of our children," said Torcida. You can see their outstanding reception for the pioneers at Poljud below.

Thus, new tensions formed between HNS and Hajduk this week. The Federation has finally responded to Hajduk and the media, which you can find transmitted below. 

"Football is the most popular sport in the world, among other things, because of the high emotions it causes. As it's nice to win, it is difficult to lose. It is understandable, therefore, that Hajduk’s young footballers cried tears after losing to Osijek in the final of the Croatian Cup, as it is understandable that the Croatian A team cried tears in the defeat of the World Cup final. Moreover, all of us who are parents are particularly sensitive to our children, and we are proud of their successes.

However, we sincerely believe that it is not necessary to raise tensions nor to emphasise the refereeing in the first place because we do not do a service to the young footballers and football in general.

The Croatian Football Federation is open to any club to submit comments or suggestions to improve any area of HNS's activities through the democratic forums of the Federation.

The current leadership of the Federation continually invites dialogue and communication as the only way for a quality relationship and will continue to insist on it. Only in the interest of Croatian football can we continue to achieve international results.

The fact that HNS is a regional leader in the implementation of VAR suffices to show that the Federation is devoted to progress in that segment of its action. However, we do not consider that the verbal attack on any referee individually is the right path to progress, as this is a terrifying pressure on referees who must be independent, and in public, it creates a bad picture of Croatian football.

We believe that this is true even in cases where the decisions are wrong because each referee makes mistakes (and accordingly), especially in this case where independent experts have confirmed the justification of the referee's decisions.

The Croatian Football Federation is absolutely committed to establishing a dialogue and a good-natured, constructive and quality relationship with each club in Croatia. We hope the same in turn.”

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

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

Inter Zaprešić v. Dinamo (2:3)

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

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

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

Rijeka v. Lokomotiva (1:0)

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

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

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

Hajduk v. Istra 1961 (4:1)

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

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

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

Gorica v. Osijek (1:0)

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

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

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

Rudeš v. Slaven Belupo (0:1)

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

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

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

You can see the full HNL table here. 

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

HNS announced on May 20, 2019, that Croatia national team coach Zlatko Dalić revealed the list of players for the games against Wales and Tunisia in June and announced the continuation of qualifications for the European Championship in 2020. 

Zlatko Dalić emphasized on this occasion that the team is aware that they must target three points against Wales:

“The players are aware of the situation and know that we were not good enough against Azerbaijan and Hungary. After Hungary, it is clear that we have to target three points against Wales, and I'm sure the great fans will help us."

June has long been regarded as a problematic term for qualifying matches, as Dalić pointed out:

"This is a tough match that we will play in a difficult time. Experiences in June are not the most enjoyable, but we do not have a lot of choices, and we will certainly not justify this. I hope the players will be ready for the preparations, and I'm glad we have more than a week to prepare for the game."

Some of the players, like those who play in the German Bundesliga, will have a ten-day rest before the gathering and should be fully prepared for the qualifying match against a tough opponent.

“The players who ended club competitions received programs to get ready for the gathering, but I'm sure many of them will have a few days of rest before we get together. It is clear to me that they are exhausted and have given their maximum to the clubs, but the players know what awaits them against Wales and know they have to be in good form. We must not underestimate Wales. Each player has a special motive, and Bale is especially dangerous. However, we will find a solution and we will try to stop them," Dalić said.

Dalić also spoke about the new names on the list, Filip Benković and Dario Melnjak:

"Over the past few months we've examined the players and we see this as a chance to strengthen the team. Melnjak is the only Croatian left-back player who has played the standard for the last six months. We watched him play and spoke to people in Turkey, and everything we heard was positive. Benković played a good season at Celtic and recovered from injury. I believe that we have not made mistakes with the new players."

Dalić also listed four players who will travel to the U-21 European Championships in Italy and San Marino in June, and added Mijo Caktaš and Mile Škorić to join the Vatreni for the friendly against Tunisia:

"I spoke with the players, and we arranged a time when they would join the preparations. The young players of the team will leave with coach Gračan immediately after June 8th to prepare for the U-21 European Championship. For the friendly against Tunisia, Caktaš and Škorić will join us, who are on the call-up list.” 

You can find the full list of players below.

Goalkeepers: Lovre Kalinić, Dominik Livaković, Simon Sluga

Defenders: Domagoj Vida, Dejan Lovren, Tin Jedvaj, Borna Barišić, Duje Ćaleta-Car, Karlo Bartolec, Filip Benković, Dario Melnjak

Midfielders: Luka Modrić, Ivan Rakitić, Mateo Kovačić, Milan Badelj, Marcelo Brozović, Marko Rog, Mario Pašalić, Filip Bradarić

Attackers: Ivan Perišić, Andrej Kramarić, Ante Rebić, Nikola Vlašić, Josip Brekalo, Bruno Petković

Call ups: Mile Škorić, Mijo Caktaš, Josip Posavec

?⬇ Croatia ?? squad list for June matches
1⃣ June 8 ➡ @EuropeanQualifiers match against @FAWales 2⃣ June 11 ➡ friendly match against Tunis#BeProud #Family pic.twitter.com/88bFHkAVwC

— HNS (@HNS_CFF) May 20, 2019

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

On its official website, the Croatian Football Federation informed the public that Bruno Marić resigned as chief instructor of VAR on May 16, 2019.

"Marić informed the HNS leadership in writing that he resigned as VAR instructor of the Croatian Football Federation.

The Croatian Football Federation is grateful to Marić on the contribution he has made so far and his work on the project introducing VAR to Croatian football,” HNS said on their website. 

You can find Bruno Marić’s resignation transmitted below, which was signed as the "Best Croatian football referee, Bruno Marić from Daruvar".

"Dear Sirs,

Behind us is a very successful eight months of work on the VAR project in Croatia. Behind us is David Elisey's visit to Zagreb, who is one of the world's largest authorities when VAR technology is concerned. Behind us is a very important media presentation of VAR technology, which will bring support, peace, and trust in Croatian football, and I would say reconciliation!

Ahead of us is painstaking work to prepare the VAR technology by February 2020 for all HNL matches.

But with all of my heart, I hope that in front of us is a Croatia national team game in Split, a city that wishes for representative football, as does the whole of Croatia who wants the national team to play in Split. The wonderful audience in all the cities where our team has played certainly wants Split, with its recognizable Mediterranean emotion, to host at least one qualifying win of our silver medalists. 

Given that I could recognize in the media that there could be problems with playing the game in Split, and because of my function as the chief instructor of VAR, I am resigning. I am resigning proud of my VAR instructor's work, but also of what I leave for whoever will inherit my position. 

I particularly note that I resign solely because of Croatia and Croatian football. No, I'm not leaving because of pressure, I'm not leaving because I'm tired. I'm leaving because I'm the most rewarded referee in Croatia and I have the responsibility for football. My resignation did not require either the Federation or HNK Hajduk, but in the media, there should not be even a grain of negativity when football and the national team are concerned.

I use this opportunity to thank the Executive Committee of HNS, Executive Director Marijan Kustić, President of KNS HNS Ante Kulušić, my football referees and everyone who supported me! Of course, I will be available if Croatian football needs me, and we will see you in Split for the Croatia - Hungary game!”

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

May 16, 2019 - The 34th round of the Croatian First League was held on May 14 and 15, 2019. In one of the few mid-week rounds, we saw Rijeka fall to Osijek, and Hajduk crush the last-placed Rudeš, inching them even closer to securing that sacred 4th European spot. 

Without further ado, here is our 34th round recap.

Istra 1961 v. Inter Zaprešić (0:1)

Istra and Inter met in Pula on Tuesday, May 14, 2019, to open the 34th round in front of 488 fans. 

The first and only goal of the game was scored by Inter’s Serderov, which gave the away team the 0:1 win. 

Istra is currently in 9th place with 22 points, while Inter is in 8th with 31. 

Rudeš v. Hajduk (1:4)

Rudeš and Hajduk met on Tuesday, May 14, 2019, at Kranjčevićeva street stadium in front of 738 fans. 

Hajduk’s Mijo Caktaš was the first to score with a goal in the 17th minute for 0:1. Caktaš increased Hajduk’s lead to 0:2 with another goal in the 58th minute, though Rudeš was able to come back with one thanks to Lisakovich who scored in the 62nd. Caktaš nailed a hattrick in the 65th minute for 3:1, and Jradi scored one minute later for the final score of 1:4. 

Rudeš remains in the last place with 14 points, while Hajduk sits in 4th with 59.

Slaven Belupo v. Lokomotiva (1:1)

Belupo and Lokomotiva met on May 15, 2019, in Koprivnica in front of 315 fans. 

While the first half went without goals, it was Belupo to score first thanks to a penalty scored by Mateus for 1:0. Lokomotiva was able to equalize in the 75th minute for 1:1. 

Belupo is currently in 7th place with 33 points, while Lokomotiva is in 6th with 49. 

Dinamo v. Gorica (3:1)

Dinamo and Gorica met on Wednesday, May 15, 2019, at Maksimir in front of 610 fans. 

Dinamo’s Moro scored first in the 17th minute, which was followed by a goal from Olmo in the 21st for 2:0. Gorica did come back with one goal in the 25th thanks to Ndiaye for 2:1 at the half. 

After Petković missed a penalty in the 66th minute, it was Leovac to score in the 71st minute for the Dinamo win.

Dinamo has already clinched the title and is in the first place with 86 points, while Gorica is in 5th place with 53. 

Osijek v. Rijeka (2:1)

Osijek and Rijeka met on Wednesday, May 15, 2019, to close out the 34th round at City Garden Stadium in front of 2,032 fans. 

Rijeka was the first to score thanks to a goal by Colak in the 11th minute, though Osijek’s Marić equalized in the 24th minute for 1:1. Rijeka’s Pavić was sent off the pitch after a double yellow in the 39th minute. 

Marić scored again for Rijeka in the 48th minute, giving Osijek the home win. 

Osijek is currently in third place with 59 points,  while Rijeka is in 2nd with 63. 

You can see the HNL table here. 

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

HNS and the Croatian football refereesare intensely preparing for the introduction of the VAR (video assistant referee) system.

Under the watchful eye of IFAB, an independent regulatory body that determines the Laws of the Game of association football, selected judges are undergoing complex training so that, in about a year, they are ready to use VAR in the Croatian football league. The Croatian Football Federation organized a media demonstration of the system, which is introduced in this part of Europe first, reports Gol.hr on May 14, 2019. 

"VAR technology is the most important and fastest revolution in modern football. It was used for the first time in 2016 and has been used in the most important games of the 2018  World Cup. Our vision for VAR technology and video aids is as little interference in the game as possible," said IFAB Technical Director and former English football referee David Elleray at the presentation of VAR technology in Sesvete.

All involved in this project agree; the introduction of VAR technology is the most demanding project of HNS. Disagreements with referees, which have hovered over the Federation for years, generated many affairs that would have been minimized by introducing VAR.

“Twelve referees are now preparing for their VAR license and 13 AVAR licenses. That will be enough in the first season, and when these referees get their license we will train the younger referees from the talent program for VAR,” said Ante Kulušić, president of the HNL Referee Commission.

The VAR room will include only the VAR Chief Referee, AVAR or Assistant Referee, and VAR Technician. The rules about using VAR are very detailed and strict.

"VAR serves solely as an aid and as a second chance. Thus, VAR will not judge, and the stories that VAR judges for referees and make decisions is not correct. VAR is only an aid that corrects bad and obvious errors, and only four instances are allowed to be viewed in the recording. Things like whether a goal was scored from the offside position, whether there was a handball and the like, whether there should be a penalty or one was unfairly given, and if a direct red card was given - and I note direct, not a second yellow. So these are four things that can only be viewed through VAR technology. Everything else is not allowed,” said Bruno Marić, a former referee who led the instruction.

The mode of communication between the judges in the room and those in the field is also prescribed. Improvisation does not exist because they know exactly who is talking and what phrases are being used.

Croatia's most experienced judge, Ivan Bebek, has already been introduced to VAR technology

“I had the chance to go to Saudi Arabia where I had the opportunity to referee at the invitation of their Football Federation, and I can tell you that I was more tired and sweat more in the VAR room than I do on the field. It is a ferocious responsibility. On the field, people can understand the referee’s mistake if you're slightly wrong or far away, and in the VAR room when you have all the benefits of repetitive footage, you simply should not make mistakes,” Ivan Bebek said.

However, mistakes are not entirely excluded, because VAR referees need to find the right angle of view, if available. Bruno Marić has been in many controversial situations during his career and said he would be happy if VAR existed then.

"Because of the two, three situations that have created a lot of problems in my life, VAR technology would certainly help me, or at least somebody would believe that my decisions were more accurate because sometimes using VAR technology comes to the credibility of decisions that are made in the field. If I could turn back time with some of my decisions, I would certainly have used VAR technology,” says Bruno Marić.

Some referees have already asked to work exclusively in the field and outside the VAR room, and it will probably take time for teams to feel comfortable in the VAR room. Assistant referee Sanja Rođak Karšić, who will soon ref at the women’s World Cup, will be exclusively on the ground.

"I will not take on the role of AVAR because I would still like to focus on just refereeing; it is quite complicated and complex,” said Sanja Rođak Karšić.

If everything goes according to plan, VAR will be used in the HNL from the spring of 2020. 

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

“Taking a step towards overcoming disagreements.” Thus, in one sentence, the meeting was presented - a sort of détente on the relationship between HNS and Hajduk. 

On the premises of HNS, on the 11th floor of the Green Gold Tower in Zagreb, representatives of the Split Club (attended by the head of the Administration Marin Brbić, and president of the Supervisory Board Benjamin Perasović) visited HNS Executive Director Marijan Kustić a few weeks back. You can read Hajduk's description of the meeting here.

Today, however, Slobodna Dalmacija conducted an interview with Kustić about his details on May 14, 2019. 

“I thank the leaders of Hajduk that have come to HNS and expressed their readiness to resolve all disputes and misunderstandings through dialogue. Our conversation was based primarily on building new relationships with honesty. We discussed the conversation in three points: we discussed reforms, development plans of HNS and, of course, the qualification match against Hungary in Split,” said Kustić.

Does asking for "wholehearted commitment to change and reform" insist on removing Damir Vrbanović and Bruno Marić from influential duties in HNS and re-establishing the Association of First League Clubs?

“We did not talk at these levels. Reform is not the move of a single man. It is a process that is felt in all the work of the Federation. The fact that since my arrival at HNS, seventy new people are involved in various commissions, as the auxiliary bodies of the Executive Committee, clearly indicate a new way of the Federation. I think that's what the people of Hajduk accepted."

How real is restoring the Association of First League Clubs?

“The Association of First League Clubs was abolished by the clubs themselves. They can also renew it again. HNS does not want to interfere with club relationships. The Federation can only initiate a meeting on that topic.”

Hajduk already announced specific demands, "the seven sacraments," which they consider necessary to establish "diplomatic relations" with HNS.

“There was no talk of this at the meeting. We talked about the points I mentioned. I do not know what we will discuss at the second meeting, which should take place in Split at the end of this month, but my impression is that there is a sincere will on both sides to overcome all misunderstandings.”

Will the Euro 2020 qualifying match between Croatia and Hungary on October 10, 2019, take place in Split?

“I am very optimistic about the realization of that idea. We also organized a training match of the Croatia national team in Omiš, as a kind of return of the national team in Dalmatia.”

The Split mayor Andro Krstulović Opara also attended the HNS and Hajduk meeting. His presence, as well as the statements of state leaders, suggest that bringing the national team back to Poljud is a political issue.

"I would not say that the game in Split against Hungary is a political question. The national team playing in the second largest city in Croatia is primarily a sporting interest. I think all people in Croatia want the football team to play in Split as well. Sport is an essential segment of society because it connects and unites people.

The fact that the meeting was attended by Split mayor Andro Krstulović Opara is quite logical. The city of Split is the majority owner of Hajduk and Poljud. It is therefore quite understandable that it would be involved and take part in solving all the problems. You do not have to worry about the help of politics when you mention problems. All help should be accepted, which will enable us to make the sport better and at a higher qualitative level.”

However, building a national stadium is certainly a political issue. At what stage of the realization is the trilateral agreement between the government, the City of Zagreb and HNS regarding the "Blato project"? Recall, after the HNS Assembly, president Davor Šuker announced the idea of building a stadium in Zagreb in Blato, behind the unfinished University hospital.

“I don’t want to talk about the national stadium. This creates distress in people. HNS's primary intentions are to represent the national team across the country, where conditions exist for that. Preferably, in modern stadiums. Therefore, HNS will support every initiative to improve infrastructure and support the construction of stadiums in Rijeka and Osijek, and renewing Poljud.

There is a problem around the stadium in Zagreb. I think Dinamo and the capital of the Republic of Croatia deserve an adequate stadium. President Šuker made a statement about the project as he is directly involved in it. If there is any news related to this project, HNS will certainly release it to the Croatian public.”

Should HNS ever build a national stadium when clubs (like Istria, Rijeka, Osijek, Dinamo...) have their own individual projects?

“The National Football Federation is not a construction company and will not build stadiums but will support any investment in infrastructure. Last year, the Federation invested in reconstructing First-League pitches, which proved to be an excellent project. Football in HNL today is much better than before.”

HNS leaders have been discussing the need for a stadium for twenty years. The last great stadium in Croatia was built forty years ago in Split for the needs of the Mediterranean Games. But when the Chinese Z-RUN consortium appeared and offered a sports complex worth 150 million euros, HNS showed no interest. Why?

“The Chinese entered business with Velika Gorica. So far, only a memorandum of cooperation has been signed. The realization of the project is a long time away. Time will show what will happen. HNS has nothing against this project. Anyway, we would love to do it. Finally, the memorandum was signed by the Football Federation of the County of Zagreb, and they are a member of HNS.”

TCN has translated excerpts from Slobodna Dalmacija, but you can read the full interview with Marijan Kustić on Slobodna Dalmacija here. 

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

The Croatia national team will gather for the first time since March in Split next month. Before the Vatreni’s return, coach Zlatko Dalić spoke with Dnevnik Nova TV.