November 16, 2020 - Croatia will no longer play at Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb, confirmed the executive director of the Croatian Football Federation (HNS), Marijan Kustic.

Index.hr reports that this is even though Dinamo started repairing the south stand, which was destroyed in the earthquake.

Recall, there was room for the national team at Maksimir in reduced capacity during the coronavirus pandemic. Still, when the spectators return to the stands, the national team will no longer play at the infamous Zagreb stadium.

"We do not want to question at all that our national team, 2018 World Cup finalists, must have an adequate stadium in the capital. Maksimir is no longer an adequate stadium for the World Cup finalists. The city of Zagreb must give answers to Dinamo and finally find a solution and take action to build a new one. It would be inappropriate for the capital and a club like GNK Dinamo to have such a dilapidated stadium," Kustic said, noting that there are many countries that are neither at the economic nor football level of Croatia, but have better stadiums.

Kustic mentioned that the spectators are a priority for HNS and that they do not have adequate conditions at Maksimir. In Rijeka, Pula, Varazdin, Osijek, and Split, the situation is different, so the national team will play there in the future until the situation in Zagreb is resolved.

According to a rough estimate, more than a billion kuna has been pumped into Maksimir so far. That is why the Croatian Football Federation launched the idea of building a national stadium.

"We want the national team to play all over Croatia, but the stadium in Zagreb is no longer comfortable, half of the stands are not working, everything is closed and depressing. After the earthquake, the situation worsened; we don't know if it is safe. My personal opinion is that the national team's time at Maksimir has passed," Miskovic said.

The national team does not want to play at the stadium either, and in October, after the match against Sweden, Zenit stopper Dejan Lovren spoke about it publicly.

"All the national teams are surprised that we were second in the world, and we have such conditions. Two or three thousand people came to the match against Sweden at the ugliest stadium in Europe. People didn't have umbrellas, they were rained on, and I wanted to shake everyone's hand. It is inadmissible for a national team like ours, which promoted Croatia in the best possible way, to come here and rightly listen to the Sweden coach's insults. Obviously, some priorities in this country are not right. Some priorities, such as the cable car, are irrelevant. I think that hospitals, kindergartens, and schools should be built first, and then maybe a stadium, but we are not looking for that for ourselves, but for the people who come to watch us. I think we will wake up only when Serbia makes a national stadium," Lovren said at the time. 

After the national team campaign in October, coach Zlatko Dalic was also clear about using Maksimir stadium for national team matches.

"I don't know what else to say about it. I've been talking for two years; others have been talking for a decade. Maybe we shouldn't talk anymore but cut and say we won't play there. We keep saying it's not a stadium for the national team, and we keep coming. Maybe HNS should say it a lot; we don't play there anymore, although it would be inconvenient to avoid a city again when hosting the national team," said Dalic.

In October, Croatia last played in Zagreb in the Nations League matches against Sweden (2:1) and France (1:2), when a third of the stadium's capacity was open. The only match in November that will be played at home, against Portugal, will be at Poljud on Tuesday.

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November 15, 2020 - Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic addressed the press after Croatia's defeat to Sweden on Saturday evening in Solna. 

Zlatko Dalic, the Croatia national team coach, held a press conference after the UEFA Nations League match between Sweden and Croatia in Solna (2:1).

Sweden was the better opponent

"Congratulations to Sweden on the win; they were better than us, especially in the first half, when we didn't respond to their aggressiveness, speed, and mobility. That was our problem. In the second half, we were better, more aggressive, and more compact, but that wasn't enough. Then we showed will and energy; that's the positive thing about this game."

No surprises

"Sweden didn't surprise me, they showed us a good game in Zagreb, and they lacked a bit of luck against Portugal and France. They have good individuals, and they played well as a team."

We need to fix the impression of Croatia

"Portugal and France already know their positions, but they are great teams and will not relax in the last round. We must try to improve the impression of us and the result and try to beat Portugal. Our goal is to stay in the elite group, it is vital to us as World Cup finalists, and we will do everything to stay."

Dejan Kulusevski

"He was justifiably named the player of the match; he showed great quality. Sweden has a great individual who can play in several positions, and he is also good at Juventus. He is young and will play at a high level for years; he impressed me."

Problems for Croatia

"We're slowly going into a generational shift; we're having problems. It's not an easy time for us, we've been missing seven or eight first-teamers, and we can't wait for all this to end."

Source: HNS

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November 14, 2020 -  Sweden tops Croatia 2:1 in Solna on Saturday in their penultimate Nations League match of Group 3. 

Sweden and Croatia fought to maintain their status in the elite group of Nations League on Saturday. Sweden went into Saturday's match in the last place without points, while Croatia was in third with 3 points. 

Croatia was fortunate to see some crucial players return to the lineup for this match, including starting goalkeeper Dominik Livaković and striker Bruno Petković.

Dalic's starting 11 thus included: Livaković, Uremović, Ćaleta-Car, Pongračić, Barišić - Kovačić, Modrić - Vlašić, Brekalo, Perišić - Budimir.

Croatia's first attack of the game happened already in the 2nd minute. Nikola Vlašić received the ball on the edge of the penalty area, and instead of taking the shot, he backheeled to Modrić. Unfortunately, the Sweden defense was there to clear the ball.

Sweden had their first dangerous attack four minutes later, though a brilliant Livaković save kept the score even. Sweden continued attacking, and a corner in the 12th minute was luckily cleared by Croatia's defense. Forsberg had a shot on goal in the 15th, forcing Livaković to save the day, again.

Croatia struggled to maintain possession in the first 20 minutes of the match, and Sweden continued aggressively with their attacking play.

Croatia received their first corner in the 20th minute, which Modrić played short. Brekalo had one of Croatia's first shots on goal moments later.

A quick attack by Brekalo and Perišić put Sweden's keeper to work again, and ultimately resulted in a corner. Croatia starting waking up. 

Uremović fouled Forsberg just outside the box for a dangerous free kick in the 27th minute, which Livaković cleared out for a corner. Sweden remained in Croatia's box for the three minutes that followed. 

Duje Ćaleta-Car received a yellow card in the 34th minute, meaning he misses the match against Portugal in Split on Tuesday. 

Unfortunately, Kulusevski danced around Croatia's defense to score for 1:0 in the 36th minute. 

In the 41st minute, Uremović came off with an injury, and Josip Juranović entered the game.

Just before halftime, Danielson increased Sweden's lead to 2:0. 

The second half started with no changes for Croatia. 

Croatia picked up their game at the start of the second half and was consistently pressing Sweden's defense. However, no plays were coming to fruition thanks to a solid Sweden defense.

Sweden blew a huge chance to increase their lead yet again in the 62nd minute. Pašalić was subbed on for Budimir in the 63rd. 

Another quick counter by Sweden saw Forsberg shoot over the crossbar, and Perišić saved Sweden from scoring another goal in the 68th. 

Croatia kept falling short and failed to connect passes in the attack. 

In the 76th minute, Dalic made three substitutions - Petković, Melnjak, and Rog were subbed on for Brekalo, Kovačić, and Pogrančić.

And finally, a miracle in the 80th minute - a Danielson own-goal made the game 2:1! Alas, there was hope for Croatia. 

In the final minutes of the match, Sweden had far too many chances for another goal, but Livaković remained solid and kept the net clear. Vlašić failed to capitalize on a brilliant ball across the box from Juranović in the 88th. 

With three minutes added time, Croatia was unable to play for the draw. A last-minute shot for Vlašić was saved by the Sweden keeper. The match ended 2:1 for Sweden. 

As it stands now, Croatia remains in third place in Group 3. 

Croatia and Portugal will meet in their final Nations League match on Tuesday at Poljud Stadium in Split. 

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

November 14, 2020 - The latest from HNS, as Marcelo Brozovic tests positive for coronavirus and misses the Nations League match against Sweden tonight.

HNS reports that on Friday evening, the Croatia national football team medical service received the results of the additional testing for the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

After national team member Domagoj Vida tested positive on Wednesday in Istanbul, on Friday in Stockholm, the Croatia national team performed additional testing before the match against Sweden on Saturday.

The test results showed two positive results, one national team member Marcelo Brozovic and one member of the national team's wider staff, which is likely to be a positive due to an old infection (prolonged positivity). Both were immediately isolated from other members of the national team.

Brozovic's club Inter, as well as Swedish epidemiologists, were informed about the positive test result. Following UEFA's Return to Play protocol, i.e., epidemiological measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus, none of the other national team members need self-isolation.

Croatian coach Zlatko Dalic held a press conference in Stockholm on Friday, where the current World Cup finalists will compete against the national team of Sweden.

"We came to play a good game, to ensure our stay in the elite group, but we will not play for a point but a victory. If we play for a point, we will lose. A tough opponent awaits us - we respect Sweden; they were better in the second half of the Zagreb game, even though we won. We will not be comfortable, but I believe in my team, and I believe that we can achieve our goal. "

The defense requires progress

"Sweden surprised me in Zagreb in the second half, when they were much better than in the first, even though we know their quality. Berg is their leader, Kulusevski imposed himself, Forsberg is there - someone can always do something. Our goal is to save our net, to be better in the defense phase."

Everyone is ready to play

"So far, the situation is fine; no one is injured. Livakovic and Petkovic have joined us, and I think we will be able to play the best possible squad."

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

November 11, 2020 - Worn match shirts from the Turkey v Croatia friendly on Wednesday night will be auctioned online for humanitarian purposes.

After the Croatia national football team became the first in the world last year to donate their competitive match shirts (Croatia - Hungary) to an online auction for humanitarian purposes and collect more than 30 thousand euro, the Vatreni will follow the same example tonight after the friendly match against Turkey.

Therefore, all Croatia national team members playing tonight's match against Turkey will auction their shirts from the match. The proceeds will go to the Fire Heart Foundation (Vatreno Srce), founded and run by Croatia national team members and coaches. Through the foundation, they have helped Croatia's children and youth for years with donations to the Children's Clinic and the Step into Life campaign.

The shirts will be available for auction at https://matchwornshirt.com/club/croatia. You can submit your bids from the beginning of the match, and the auction will end ten days after the match. The starting price of all shirts is 89 euros, including the cost of delivery anywhere in the world.

Each shirts will have the Turkey - Croatia label and signed by the national team member who wore it.

Join the auction at https://matchwornshirt.com/club/croatia, support the work of the Fire Heart Foundation, and treat yourself or your loved ones to a memory of a lifetime!

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November 11, 2020 - Turkey and Croatia met in Istanbul for a friendly match on Wednesday as preparation for their upcoming Nations League matches against Sweden and Portugal. 

The Croatia national team met Turkey in a friendly match in Istanbul at 6:45 pm on Wednesday. The friendly was played at Besiktas stadium and served as preparation for coach Zlatko Dalic before the Nations League matches against Sweden and Portugal. 

Croatia's starting 11 was anything but standard, featuring several young players - Sluga - Juranović, Vida, Pongračić, Melnjak - Rog, Badelj - Brekalo, Pašalić, Oršić - Budimir.

As announced, Dalic gave priority to players who did not have many opportunities in the national team jersey. 

The match kicked off without spectators and was fairly even until the 22nd minute when carelessness in the Croatia defense resulted in a Turkey penalty. Tosun scored for 1:0.

Fortunately, just 10 minutes later, Budimir equalized the score, though Croatia wouldn't have been as lucky if VAR was involved. A missed Budimir handball and goal made the game 1:1 in the 32nd minute. 

But not even 10 minutes after that, Croatia's defense fell apart... again. Juranovic was beat on the right side, and Turuc scored for the 2:1 lead at the half. 

The second half began with one substitution - Uremovic came in for Vida.

It didn't take long for Croatia to equalize. Oršić found Brekalo on the right side, who sent a sharp ball into the box, which found Pašalić alone on the left to score for 2:2 in the 53rd.

Just two minutes later, Oršić found the head of Brekalo, who put Croatia in the lead for the first time of the match - 2:3!

Unfortunately, Croatia's lead didn't last long - Under equalized for Turkey in the 58th (3:3).

In the 60th minute, Toma Basic replaced Badelj and debuted for Croatia, while Caleta-Car replaced Pongracic, and Perisic replaced Brekalo.

In the 66th minute, Mirko Antonio Colak was subbed on for Budimir, also making his Croatia debut.

By the 68th minute, Turkey had 3 shots on goal to Croatia's 5.

Even Luka Modric got his chance against Turkey, replacing Mario Pasalic in the 76th minute. 

With 10 minutes to go, Croatia didn't want to settle for a draw and was hunting for their fourth goal. The referee added three minutes, though neither side was able to score.

The friendly ended 3:3. 

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

November 9, 2020 - The Croatia national team gathered on Monday ahead of its upcoming matches against Turkey, Sweden, and Portugal. Coach Zlatko Dalic announced an updated Croatia lineup and game plan.

The Croatia national football team is expected to play three matches in just six days. The 2018 World Cup finalists will play against Turkey in a friendly match on November 11, followed by their final Nations League campaign against Sweden on November 14 and in Split against Portugal on November 17.

Dejan Lovren was dropped from the squad at the last minute for the friendly match, and the Zenit stopper cannot play against Sweden due to cards. Lovren will thus join the national team in Split.

"I expect all invited players to come throughout the day and everyone to attend training. I know there were some problems, but we don't have any new announcements regarding absences. The only one who will be absent is Lovren, in agreement with me. He will stay in Russia and join the national team when we come to Split. He has a minor tendon injury and two yellow cards, so we don't have him against Sweden. We know that Kramaric will not attend due to injury, and the others on the list are all there," said Dalic.

The national team includes debutants Tomo Basic of Bordeaux and Marin Pongracic of Wolfsburg.

"Basic deserved an invitation based on his games for his club, and we want to try Pongracic, who has already received an invitation several times but could not come due to injuries. This time he is healthy, but I know he has been absent for a long time. I want him to be in the national team and feel the atmosphere," said Dalic.

Livakovic was also dropped from the lineup. Dalic thus has Kalinic, Grbic, and Sluga at his disposal, who will probably get a chance ahead of the others.

"Lovre Kalinic has been with us for a long time, but he hasn't been goalkeeping lately. There aren't many dilemmas because Sluga is the only one regularly in goal; he has rhythm and form. We will try to give a chance to two goalkeepers depending on the situation. I hope that Livakovic will be ready soon, he could join us already during these matches, but we will not rush with him. I trust the goalkeepers who are there," concluded Dalic.

Source: HNS

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November 9, 2020 - The national teams of Croatia and Portugal will meet at Poljud Stadium in Split on November 17 for their final Nations League match this season. 

Today, the National Civil Protection Headquarters of the Republic of Croatia extended the Decision on necessary epidemiological measures restricting assemblies and introducing other necessary measures and recommendations to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 through gatherings.

The decision of the headquarters includes the measure of holding sports competitions without the presence of spectators.

Following such a decision by the National Civil Protection Headquarters of the Republic of Croatia, the Croatian Football Federation informs the public that the Nations League match between Croatia and Portugal, scheduled for November 17 in Split, will be played without spectators. Also, the match between the youth national teams of Croatia and Lithuania in Pula will be played without fans.

The mentioned measure also refers to other competitions under the jurisdiction of HNS, which will be held without spectators until further notice.

Due to similar measures in Turkey and Sweden, the matches of the Croatia national team against Turkey (November 11) in Istanbul and Sweden (November 14) in Solna will be played without spectators.

Source: HNS

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

November 9, 2020 - The 11th round of the Croatian First League was held from November 7 to 8, 2020. This round saw Hajduk and Osijek draw at Poljud, while Dinamo toppled Istra 5:0. 

Varazdin v. Sibenik (1:3)

Varazdin and Sibenik opened the 11th round on Saturday, November 7, 2020, in Varazdin. 

Juric scored two goals for Sibenik in the first half (8', 26') for 0:2 at the half. A hattrick in the 57th minute made Juric the hero of the game. Varazdin's Benko slightly reduced Sibenik's lead with a goal in the 70th minute for the final result of 1:3. 

Varazdin is currently in last place with 7 points, while Sibenik is in 5th place with 13. 

Hajduk v. Osijek (1:1)

Hajduk and Osijek met in the second match on Saturday, November 7, 2020, at Poljud stadium in Split. 

Osijek took the lead in the 23rd minute thanks to a goal by Mierez for 0:1 at the half. Hajduk's Colina equalized for 1:1 in the 55th minute. Hajduk missed a last-minute penalty, resulting in a 1:1 draw. 

Hajduk is currently in 7th place with 11 points, while Osijek is in 2nd place with 20. 

Dinamo v. Istra 1961 (5:0)

Dinamo and Istra met at Maksimir stadium in Zagreb on Sunday, November 8, 2020. 

Gavranovic opened the scoring spree for Dinamo in the 6th minute, followed by a Jakic goal just before the half for 2:0. Gavranovic scored again in the 75th minute, followed by another quick goal one minute later by Orsic for 4:0 in the 76th minute. Tolic secured Dinamo's 5:0 victory with the final goal in the 87th minute. 

Dinamo is currently in first place with 26 points, while Istra is in 8th with 8. 

Rijeka v. Lokomotiva (1:0)

Rijeka and Lokomotiva closed out the 11th round on Sunday, November 8, 2020, at Rujevica stadium. 

Muric scored the only goal of the match, which happened in the 17th minute from a penalty to give Rijeka the win.

Rijeka is currently in 4th place with 15 points, while Lokomotiva is in 9th with 7. 

Recall, Gorica was supposed to host Slaven Belupo on Sunday, November 8, at 19:10, though the match was postponed again due to COVID-19. 

Several members of the Koprivnica first league squad tested positive, including players and members of the professional staff, so the entire team was ordered by the competent epidemiologist to go into self-isolation until Thursday, November 12. 

Gorica thus did not play for the third round in a row, as their previous two matches were also postponed (against Rijeka and Varazdin) because of COVID-19. 

You can see the full HNL table here.

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October 26, 2020 - National team coach Zlatko Dalic announces the Croatia player list for the upcoming Nations League matches in November, when the 2018 World Cup finalists will again have a tight schedule.

As in October, the national team will play three games during the upcoming gathering in November. Namely, Croatia will play a friendly match against Turkey on November 11 in Istanbul, followed by their two final matches in the Nations League - on November 14, they will play against Sweden (Solna / Stockholm), and three days later, they will host Portugal in Split.

Croatia currently sits in 3rd place in Nations League Group 3 with 3 points. Portugal and France are in first and second place with 10 points each. Croatia has only won one game in this Nations League campaign against Sweden earlier this month in Zagreb. 

Coach Dalic invited 23 players and eight call-ups, among which is Bordeaux midfielder Toma Basic for the first time.

"We will monitor the condition of all players in the next two weeks and react on time, depending on the situation. I wish all invited players to be healthy so that we can welcome the last matches of this year and finish the competition in the Nations League in a satisfactory position," said Dalic.

The national team will gather on November 9 in Istanbul, and the day after the match against Turkey, they will travel to Stockholm. Croatia will travel to Split immediately after the match against Sweden.

Goalkeepers: Dominik Livaković, Simon Sluga, Ivo Grbić

Defenders: Domagoj Vida, Dejan Lovren, Borna Barišić, Duje Ćaleta-Car, Dario Melnjak, Filip Uremović, Domagoj Bradarić

Midfielders: Luka Modrić, Mateo Kovačić, Marcelo Brozović, Milan Badelj, Marko Rog, Mario Pašalić, Nikola Vlašić

Attackers: Ivan Perišić, Andrej Kramarić, Josip Brekalo, Bruno Petković, Mislav Oršić, Ante Budimir

Callups: Ante Rebić, Tin Jedvaj, Lovre Kalinić, Mile Škorić, Josip Juranović, Toma Bašić, Antonio Mirko Čolak, Marin Pongračić

Source: HNS

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