May 6, 2019 - The 32nd round of the Croatian First League was held from May 3 to 5, 2019. The 32nd round was crucial for Hajduk, Lokomotiva, Gorica, and Osijek, who are all fighting for a spot in the top 4. 

On Monday, Marijan Kustić, the executive director of HNS, met with representatives of Hajduk and the Split mayor in Zagreb. 

April 29, 2019 - The 31st round of the Croatian First League was held from April 26 to 28, 2019. While the Croatian champions Dinamo have nothing to play for but pride for the rest of the season, they did manage to lose to Osijek - and after a brilliant display by Hajduk in the 30th round, the Split club fell to Gorica. 

Without further ado, here is our round 31 HNL recap. 

Lokomotiva v. Istra 1961 (1:1)

Lokomotiva and Istra opened the 31st round on Friday, April 26, 2019, in Zagreb in front of 480 fans. 

Lokomotiva was the first to score thanks to a goal by Ivanušec in the 40th minute for 1:0 at the half. Fuentes equalized for Istra 10 minutes later for 1:1. 

Lokomotiva is currently in 6th place with 48 points, while Istra is in 9th place with 22. 

Gorica v. Hajduk (3:0)

Gorica and Hajduk met on Saturday, April 27, 2019, in Velika Gorica in front of 8,000 fans. 

Gorica scored their first goal already in the 11th minute thanks to Miya. Just before the half in the 45th minute, Zwolinski nailed Gorica’s second goal, which was a penalty, for 2:0. Miya scored again for Gorica in the 47th to confirm the blowout win. 

Gorica is currently in 5th place with 49 points, while Hajduk is in 4th with 50. 

Osijek v. Dinamo (2:1)

Osijek and Dinamo met on Saturday, April 27, 2019, at City Garden Stadium in front of 3,310 fans.

Dinamo was the first to score thanks to a goal by Šitum in the 20th minute. Talys equalized for Osijek in the 36th for 1:1. 

After Dinamo’s Perić was given a red card in the 66th minute, Osijek’s Marić was able to score for the win in the 76th minute for 2:1. 

Osijek is currently in 3rd place with 53 points, while Dinamo is in first with 79. 

Inter Zaprešić v. Slaven Belupo (1:3)

Inter and Belupo met in Zaprešić on Sunday, April 28, 2019, in front of 263 fans. 

Goda scored for Belupo in the 6th minute for 0:1 at the half. Tsonev equalized for Inter in the 54th, though it was Canadjija to retake the lead for Belupo in the 58th. Delić secured Belupo’s win in the 60th for 1:3. 

Inter is currently in 8th place with 21 points, while Belupo is in 7th with 29. 

Rijeka v. Rudeš (3:1)

Rijeka and Rudeš closed out the 31st round at Rujevica stadium on Sunday, April 28, 2019, in front of 2,846 fans. 

Lončar scored for Rijeka in the 35th minute, which was followed by a goal by Puljić just two minutes later for 2:0. Lisakovich was able to score for Rudeš just before the half for 2:1. 

Čolak scored for Rijeka in the 69th minute for 3:1. 

Rijeka is currently in second place with 59 points, while Rudeš remains in last with 10. 

You can see the full HNL table there. 

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

April 25, 2019 - The Croatia national team will celebrate the 100th birthday of the Omiš Football Club with a friendly match on May 31 in Omiš, announced HNS. 

Namely, the football club of Omiš (NK Omiš) and the town of Omiš proposed to the Croatian Football Federation that they'd like to host the Croatia national team and 2018 World Cup finalists at the end of May in the program of marking the centenary of the club's foundation. The Croatia Football Federation’s leadership and the Croatia national team coach Zlatko Dalić accepted the proposal and agreed that the team would play a festive match against NK Omiš on May 31.

The World Cup finalists are looking forward to an imperative qualifier for Euro 2020 against Wales (June 8 in Osijek) and a friendly match against Tunisia (June 11 in Varaždin).

The national team will gather on May 29 in Split where they will be until the match against Omiš, after which they will prepare for Wales in Opatija before leaving for Osijek on June 7.

"We are looking forward to the meeting in Omiš, and we are delighted to be able to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the club that has given Croatia a few representatives, including the World Cup finalist Ivan Perišić. The match will fit into our preparation for Wales because we want to get together a little earlier so that the players do not have too much of a break after they finish their championships,” Zlatko Dalić said.

Recall, in Croatia's Euro 2020 qualifiers thus far, they have defeated Azerbaijan in Zagreb (2:1) and lost to Hungary in Budapest (1:2). After Croatia faces Wales in June, they will play Slovakia and Azerbaijan in September, Hungary and Wales in October, and Slovakia again in November for the remainder of their Euro 2020 qualifications. 

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

April 25, 2019 - After defending the Croatian championship, Dinamo will try to do the same in the Croatian Cup against Rijeka next month.

Luka Modrić has won four Champion League titles, four Club World Cups, three European Super Cups, one Spanish championship, one Cup and two Spanish Super Cups with Real Madrid.

April 21, 2019 - The 30th round of the Croatian First League was held on April 19 and 20 because of the Easter weekend. It was a rather exciting round that saw Dinamo clinch the Croatian championship title for the 20th time, and Hajduk pull a massive upset and huge win against Rijeka at Poljud. 

Istra 1961 v. Osijek (1:0)

Istra and Osijek opened the 30th round in Pula on Friday, April 19, 2019, in front of 763 fans. 

While the first half went without goals, it was Istra’s Mierez to score with two minutes to go, shocking Osijek for the 1:0 victory. 

Istria is currently in 9th place with 21 points, while Osijek is in 3rd with 50. 

Slaven Belupo v. Dinamo (0:1)

Belupo and Dinamo met on Friday, April 19, 2019, in front of 1,882 fans in Koprivnica. 

It was another game without goals in the first half, though Dinamo’s Gojak managed to score three minutes into the second half for 0:1, which was the final score of the game. With this win, Dinamo also claimed the Croatian championship title for the 20th time. 

Slaven Belupo is in 8th place with 26 points, while Dinamo is in first with 79. 

Rudeš v. Lokomotiva (1:2)

Rudeš and Lokomotiva met on Saturday, April 20, 2019, at Kranjčevićeva street stadium in Zagreb in front of 100 fans. 

Karačić scored first for Lokomotiva for 0:1, though Štrkalj equalized with a penalty in the 32nd minute for 1:1. Rakić retook the lead for Lokomotiva in the 80th minute for 1:2, which was the final score of the game.

Rudeš remains in the last place with 10 points, while Lokomotiva is in 5th with 47. 

Inter Zaprešić v. Gorica (2:2)

Inter and Gorica met in Zaprešić on Saturday, April 20, 2019, in front of 1,224 fans. 

Inter scored first thanks to Serderov in the 13th minute, while Lovrić scored a penalty for Gorica 10 minutes later to equalize. Gorica was given another penalty which Zwolinski nailed in the 58th for 1:2, though Šimunec equalized for Inter in the 80th for 2:2. 

Inter is currently in 7th place with 28 points, while Gorica is in 6th with 46. 

Hajduk v. Rijeka (4:0)

Hajduk and Rijeka met at Poljud to close out the 30th round on April 20, 2019, in front of 14,752 fans. 

Hajduk’s Jurić scored already in the 2nd minute of the famous ‘Adriatic Derby’, forcing the crowd into a frenzy. Hamza Barry scored for 2:0, and it was 3:0 at the half thanks to a goal in the 45th minute by Caktaš. 

But Hajduk wasn’t done yet, and Caktaš scored again in the 50th for 4:0, completely stunning Rijeka and, quite honestly, all Hajduk fans. 

Hajduk is currently in 4th place with 50 points, while Rijeka is in second with 56. 

You can see the full table here. 

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

April 20, 2019 - For the second season in a row, the Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States boasts one Croatian player. Namely, the 30-year-old Damir Kreilach, who is the former Rijeka captain, plays in the shirt of Real Salt Lake and faces football superstars like Ibrahimović, Rooney, and Schweinsteiger.

Damir Kreilach scored last week for Real Salt Lake in their win against Orlando in the seventh round of the US championship. He returned after a red card suspension and was the second goal scorer in the 2:1 victory. Kreilach spoke to HRT from the United States.

“We're a little weaker in the championship; this is our second win. There has been a lack of luck, and I also had a red card... but now we are back to winning, and I hope this will continue. Our primary goal is to fight for the playoffs, we have a good team, and I believe we can do it."

After 150 appearances in the jersey of Rijeka and Union Berlin, the Croatian midfielder is in his second MLS season. He signed for Real Salt Lake in February 2018.

“I am very happy, very pleased, and I think I made the right move by going to the MLS. One beautiful thing is that I have been introduced to a new culture. I was convinced of everything I was told about the American league.”

Last season's West Conference quarterfinals, Real Salt Lake kicked out Los Angeles FC - and they even crushed LA Galaxy in the championship - just one of the world-famous names.

“The league is organized at a high level, stars such as Zlatan Ibrahimović, Wayne Rooney, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Carlos Vela also raise the league to even higher quality. The Americans want to make a nice story out of the MLS, the infrastructure is great; this is confirmed by the excellent training centers where we have preparations.”

The MLS is made up of 24 clubs, 12 in the Western and Eastern Conference. Real Salt Lake won the championship ten years ago, their games each week played in front of a sold-out stadium with 20,000 seats.

“According to some statistics, the interest in football here grows year after year. That's an indicator of what Americans want to make of football. In Utah, or Salt Lake, there are many kids playing football every step of the way.”

Kreilach’s best season concluded with 15 goals and five assists - excellent statistics for a midfielder. He has also become an audience favorite.

“My motto is work, work and work alone. When I get on the pitch, my first goal is to give one hundred percent. I am very happy that the fans have recognized this and it is certain that this is still my guide in my career moving forward.”

The US did not compete at the World Cup in Russia last year, but most Americans cheered for Croatia.

“Most of my teammates cheered for us in the final. They saw what Croats could do with will and desire, effort and quality. The performance of our team was inspiring to them; it was the first time in 30 years they were left without the tournament.”

Damir Kreilach's contract with Real Salt Lake is good until the winter of 2020, so what then?

“I definitely have the desire to go back to Rijeka and hopefully lift a trophy.”

Kreilach left Rijeka in 2013.

“It was not easy for me to leave Rijeka, the club that gave me everything. I felt that same family atmosphere at Union Berlin, the great synergy with the supporters. I say, you never know, it's hard to plan, but I'd like to come back to my home club.”

Rijeka has since moved to Rujevica stadium. However, a Chinese investor could soon begin building a new stadium in Kantrida.

“I did not play at Rujevica, but I would like to play at the new Kantrida! This is, unfortunately, an unforeseen goal that is not easy to accomplish. Every Rijeka fan dreams of returning Rijeka to Kantrida. Even though Rujevica is a top camp, the Kantrida stadium connects Rijeka and its people. What Damir Mišković did with the club, few can do. The club has risen to the European level, a big congratulations to the players and coach Kek, but also the fans who are always at the club, in good and bad moments.”

His ultimate dream was to play in the jersey of the Croatia national team.

“Frankly, while I was at Union Berlin, I thought about it. Every player who puts on their boots has the desire to one day wear a national team jersey. That was my wish. Now I'm 30 years old, and I do not think about it anymore. We are the World Cup finalists, it's a big deal, and we have top players in top clubs.”

One thing is for sure - wherever he is, Kreilach still has a lot left to show. 

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

Dinamo Zagreb has been crowned the Croatian champion for the 2018/19 season. 

You might recall that at the end of last year, the Chinese offered to build a national stadium in Zagreb, which Croatian Football Federation president Davor Šuker said did not exist. Today, however, 10 kilometers from Zagreb, an agreement has been signed between Velika Gorica, the Zagreb County Football Federation and the Chinese company Z-Run Well Ton Industry about a similar project in Velika Gorica, reports Index.hr on April 19, 2019. 

"This is the first step towards the realization of a Chinese company's investment in the sports infrastructure of Velika Gorica," announced the Office of the Mayor of Velika Gorica.

"Velika Gorica has become a favorite city for investors over the last couple of years, first with our domestic companies, such as the Atlantic Group, and now with foreign capital. We established the first contacts with the official delegation of China a few years ago, and today we discussed concrete projects here. I am pleased to develop this in a positive direction, and that foreign investors recognize our potential for their investments,” said the mayor of Velika Gorica, Dražen Barišić.

Today, after signing the agreement, Barišić revealed that the Chinese are satisfied with Gorica.

"The city has presented the possibilities of investing in sports infrastructure, which includes the stadium with accompanying facilities. The Chinese delegation also visited a potential field that spatially plans to meet the needs of stadium construction, and is the result of today's signing of the Agreement. In recent years, Velika Gorica has become a city of interest to investors, and I am pleased to see that this interest has expanded beyond our borders and that foreign investors express business intentions."

It will be a state-of-the-art stadium that will host the world's biggest football events.

"The infrastructure you have is more than satisfactory because you are connected to the whole of Croatia, the proximity to the airport is also an advantage, and we like the look of Velika Gorica. We see great potential in your city, not just for the construction of stadiums, but for investment in various forms of sports infrastructure and the sports industry,” said Jiang Yu, president of the Beijing-based company.

The new stadium would supposedly be similar to the Astana Arena in the capital of Kazakhstan, which was recently named Nur-Sultan. The agreement on understanding should, by 2021, bring the construction of a football stadium with a capacity of 30 to 35,000 spectators. 

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