Saturday, 30 April 2022

Dragovoljac Officially Drops Out of Croatian First League

April 30, 2022 - Hrvatski Dragovoljac has officially dropped out of the Croatian First League.

With Friday's 2:1 defeat to Hajduk, they remained at 18 points, nine less than Istra 1961, which is in second-to-last place. It is important to note that the head-to-head ratio is the second criterion for ranking in the event two teams have the same number of points.

In the previous four meetings, Istria defeated Dragovoljac three times and drew once. In the first game, Istra won 3:1, in the second 1:0, and in the third 3:0. The fourth meeting finished 0:0. In the end, the influx of players from Rijeka did not help Dragovoljac.

After entering the First HNL this season, they will leave Croatia's top league after 36 rounds.

Recall that in the first round of licensing for the next football season, the Croatian Football Federation's Club Licensing Department did not give Dragovoljac a license for the First or Second HNL.

Varaždin and Rudeš are fighting to enter the highest rank of Croatian football.

Rudeš is currently five points behind Varaždin in first place The two teams meet today in Varaždin, which has gained serious interest among fans of both teams. 

After NK Varaždin invited all fans to visit Zagreb for Saturday's match, the interest in the derby against Rudeš became higher than planned.

"Dear friends of the club, due to a large number of inquiries regarding tickets for Saturday's match against NK Rudeš in Zagreb, we inform you that the club received information today that the host will sell tickets and the club took over some of them on Friday afternoon. Rudeš received more tickets than the percentage described in the HNS propositions, but the number cannot cover the interest due to the capacity of the Rudeš stadium. The club still has a part of the tickets for friends that are intended for visiting fans, so we ask those who are interested to contact us directly. Due to the situation - please contact us only if you are sure of your arrival because they will be available in the parking lot of the stadium after confirmation in your inbox. Also - we hope that tickets for the grandstand will be available at the stadium, but we do not have official confirmation or information. If we have more information - we will inform the public through this channel of communication. Thank you for your understanding and support!" reads the official Facebook page of NK Varaždin.

Rudeš still must face Osijek II, Jarun, Sesvete, and Dugopolje before the end of the Second HNL season. Varaždin must face Jarun, Sesvete, Dugopolje, and Dubrava Zagreb. 

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Monday, 8 November 2021

HNL Round 15 Recap: Lokomotiva Shocks Dinamo, Rijeka Moves to 1st

November 8, 2021 - The 15th round of the Croatian First League was held from November 5 to 7, 2021. This round saw the debut of Hajduk's new coach, while Lokomotiva shocked Dinamo and Rijeka moved into first place. Here is our HNL round 15 recap. 

Slaven Belupo v. Gorica (1:2)

Slaven Belupo and Gorica opened the 15th round on Friday, November 5, 2021, in Velika Gorica. 

Lausic put Belupo in the lead in the 43rd minute before Kalik equalized two minutes later for 1:1 at the half. Kalik scored his second goal of the match in the 62nd minute for 1:2, which was the final score. 

 

Belupo is currently in 9th place with 10 points, while Gorica is in 6th with 21. 

Osijek v. Istra 1961 (3:0)

Osijek and Istra met at City Garden Stadium on Saturday, November 6, 2021, in front of 1,177 fans. 

Osijek's first goal came from Zaper in the 5th minute. Topcagic made it 2:0 in the 59th before Fiolic scored for 3:0 in the 75th. 

 

Osijek is currently in 2nd place with 30 points (and one game less), while Istra is in 8th with 15 (and one game less). 

Hajduk v. Hr. Dragovoljac (2:0)

Hajduk and Dragovoljac met on Saturday, November 6, 2021, at Poljud in front of 3,240 fans. 

Ljubicic scored Hajduk's first goal in the 29th minute for 1:0 at the half. A Vulikic own goal sent in by Hajduk's Sahiti made it 2:0. It was also the debut of new Hajduk coach Valdas Dambrauskas. 

 

Hajduk is currently in 4th place with 24 points (and one game less), while Dragovoljac is in last place with 7. 

Lokomotiva v. Dinamo (1:0)

Lokomotiva and Dinamo met in Zagreb at Kranjčevićeva Street Stadium on Sunday, November 7, 2021. 

The match's only goal came in the 8th minute when Maric scored for the Lokomotiva lead and ultimate win. However, Petkovic missed a penalty for Dinamo in the 38th minute, and VAR called back a Dinamo goal scored by Peric in the 91st. 

 

Lokomotiva is currently in 5th place with 21 points, while Dinamo is in 3rd with 27 (and two games less). 

Sibenik v. Rijeka (0:1)

Sibenik and Rijeka closed out the 15th round on Sunday, November 7, 2021, in Sibenik. 

After VAR called a goal offside for Rijeka in the 8th minute, Smolcic scored for 0:1 in the 1st minute of stoppage time before the ref called for halftime. 

 

Sibenik is currently in 7th place with 15 points, while Rijeka is in 1st place with 30 (and one game less). 

You can see the HNL standings HERE.

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

Tuesday, 2 November 2021

HNL Round 14 Recap: Rijeka-Osijek Derby Postponed, Dinamo Moves to 1st

November 2, 2021 - The 14th round of the Croatian First League was played from October 30 to November 1, 2021. Only four matches were played in this round, as the Rijeka-Osijek derby at Rujevica had been postponed due to Covid-19 in the Osijek squad. Here's our HNL round 14 recap. 

Hr. Dragovoljac v. Šibenik (1:1)

Dragovoljac and Šibenik opened the 14th round at NŠC Stjepan Spajić Stadium on Friday, October 30, 2021, in front of 98 spectators. 

Viduka scored the first goal of the match for Dragovolac in the 23rd minute, followed by a double-yellow for Bagadur 4 minutes later, forcing Dragovoljac to play with a man down for the remainder of the match. Jakoliš scored a penalty for Šibenik one minute later for the final 1:1. 

 

Dragovoljac is currently in the last place with 7 points, while Šibenik is in 7th with 15. 

Gorica v. Dinamo (0:2)

Gorica and Dinamo met on Friday, October 30, 2021, in Velika Gorica in front of 1,293 spectators. 

Petković scored a penalty for Dinamo for the 0:1 lead in the 31st minute. Andrić equalized 6 minutes later for 0:2 Dinamo, which was the final score of the match. 

 

Gorica is currently in 6th place with 18 points, while Dinamo has moved to first place with 27 points (and two games less).

Slaven Belupo v. Hajduk (3:2)

Slaven Belupo and Hajduk met on Sunday, October 31, 2021, in Koprivnica in front of 1,613 spectators. 

Lausic scored the opening goal of the match in the 2nd minute for 1:0 Belupo. Krstanovic equalized in the 34th for 2:0 at the half. Livaja scored in the 66th to bring Hajduk to 2:1, though Mlinaric made it 3:1 in the 83rd. Biuk gave Hajduk their last hope with a goal in the 86th minute for 3:2, which was the final score. 

 

Belupo is currently in 9th place with 10 points, while Hajduk is in 4th with 21 (and one game less). Hajduk coach Jens Gustafsson was sacked on Monday. 

Istra 1961 v. Lokomotiva (2:1)

Istra and Lokomotiva closed out the 14th round on Monday, November 1, 2021, in Pula. 

Bande scored the match's opening goal for 1:0 Istra, though Dabro equalized in the 15th for 1:1. Istra was awarded a penalty in the 53rd minute, which Drena Beljo scored for 2:1 and the final score. 

 

Istra is currently in 8th place with 15 points (and one game less), while Lokomotiva is in 5th with 18. 

Rijeka v Osijek (Postponed)

Due to five Covid-19 cases in the Osijek team, the Croatian Football Federation postponed the 14th round match between Rijeka and Osijek and scheduled it instead for December 8 at 5 pm.

Since the virus had also infected several players on Osijek II, they could not play their match against Inter Zaprešić. 

Before the national team break on November 6, Osijek should host Istria in 1961, but even that match is questionable. 

Before the 14th round, Rijeka and Osijek were the two leading teams of the Croatian First League with 27 points from 13 games. 

You can see the full HNL table HERE.

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Monday, 4 October 2021

HNL Round 11 Recap: Dinamo Wins 8:0, Osijek and Hajduk Draw a City Garden

October 4, 2021 - The 11th round of the Croatian First League was held from October 1-3, 2021. This round featured a blowout win for Dinamo, the della Učka derby, and Osijek and Hajduk at City Garden Stadium. Here's our HNL round 11 recap.

Šibenik v. Gorica (1:2)

Šibenik and Gorica opened the 11th round on Friday, October 1, 2021, at Subicevac Stadium in front of 466 spectators. 

Fruk put Gorica in the lead in the 15th minute and scored again in the 41st for 0:2 at the half. Curic came back for Sibenik in the 66th minute for 1:2, which was the match's final score. 

 

Sibenik is currently in 7th place with 10 points, while Goria is in 5th with 16. 

Lokomotiva v. Slaven Belupo (3:0)

Lokomotiva and Belupo met on Saturday, October 2, 2021, in Zagreb in front of 412 spectators. 

While the first half went without goals, Gorican scored the first goal of the match in the 54th minute for 1:0 Lokomotiva, follow by Kaacavenda in the 70th and Kulenpvic in the 74th for 3:0. 

 

Lokomotiva is currently in 6th place with 14 points, while Belupo is in 9th with 6. 

Istra 1961 v. Rijeka (3:6)

Istra and Rijeka met in the della Ucka derby on Saturday, October 2, 2021, in front of 1,274 spectators. 

Silva scored the first goal of the match in the 18th minute for 1:0 Istra, though Kresic equalized 6 minutes later for 1:1. Then, Pavicic put Rijeka in the lead at 1:2 and scored again 5 minutes later for 1:3. Finally, Vuckic scored for 1:4 at the half. 

Ampem opened the second half with a goal for Rijeka in the 52nd minute (1:5), and Mahmoud slightly redeemed Istra with a goal in the 60th for 2:5. Lisica made it 3:5 in the 77th though Busnja sealed Rijeka's victory with a goal in the 85th for the final 3:6.

 

Istra is in 8th place with 10 points, while Rijeka leads the table with 23. 

Dinamo v. Hr. Dragovoljac (8:0)

Dinamo and Dragovoljac met at Maksimir on Sunday, October 3, 2021. 

Dinamo's blowout began with a Misic goal in the 22nd minute for 1:0 and Menalo in the 2nd minute of injury time for 2:0 at the half. Ivanusec increased Dinamo's lead to 3:0 in the 50th minute and Spikic to 4:0 9 minutes later. Menalo scored his second goal in the 65th minute for 5:0 and Andric for 6:0 in the 69th. Bulat made it 7:0 in the 82nd and Tolic 8:0 in the 3rd minute of injury time for the final score. 

 

Dinamo is currently in 2nd place with 22 points (and two games behind), while Dragovoljac is in last place with 5 points. 

Osijek v. Hajduk (1:1)

Osijek and Hajduk closed out the 11th round on Sunday, October 3, 2021, at City Garden Stadium.

Kleinheisler opened the game with an early goal in the 9th minute for the Osijek lead. Lovrenciscs equalized in the 19th minute for 1:1, which was the final score of the match. 

 

Osijek is currently in 3rd place with 21 points, while Hajduk is in 4th with 20 (and one game behind). 

You can see the full HNL table HERE.

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Monday, 20 September 2021

HNL Round 9 Recap: Hajduk-Dinamo Postponed, Osijek Tops Gorica in Dramatic Finish

September 20, 2021 - The 9th round of the Croatian First League was held from September 17 to 19, 2021. The 'Eternal Derby' between Hajduk and Dinamo at Poljud was postponed due to Dinamo's Europa League schedule, while Osijek's late-winner against Gorica saw the match end 3:2 at City Garden. Here is our HNL Round 9 recap. 

Hr. Dragovoljac v. Rijeka (2:2)

Dragovoljac and Rijeka opened the 9th round in Zagreb on Friday, September 17, 2021, in front of 420 spectators. 

Petković and Majstorović shocked Rijeka with a 2:0 lead by the 36th minute. Ampem got a goal back for Rijeka in the 57th minute for 2:1, and Pavičić equalized 3 minutes later for 2:2. Vuckic's goal was called offside in the final minute of regulation time, so the match ended in a draw. 

 

Dragovoljac is currently in last place with 5 points, while Rijeka is in 1st with 17 points (and one game less).

Slaven Belupo v. Istra 1961 (1:1)

Belupo and Istra met in Koprivnica on Saturday, September 18, 2021. 

The first half went without goals but saw Navarro receive a red card, forcing Istra to play with a man down from the 41st minute. Krstanovic scored a penalty at the start of the second half for the Belupo lead, but Perkovic equalized in the 5th minute of injury time for 1:1. 

 

Belupo is currently in 9th place with 6 points, while Istra is in 8th with 7 (and one game less). 

Šibenik v. Lokomotiva (2:1)

Šibenik and Lokomotiva met on Saturday, September 18, 2021, in Šibenik. 

Marin scored in the 5th minute for the early Šibenik lead, though Dabro scored a penalty in the 28th minute for 1:1 at the half. Marin scored his second goal of the match in the 77th minute for the 2:1 Šibenik win. 

 

Šibenik is currently in 7th place with 10 points, while Lokomotiva is in 6th with 11 (and one game less).

Osijek v. Gorica (3:2)

Osijek and Gorica closed out the 9th round at City Garden Stadium on Sunday, September 19, 2021. 

Kalik gave Gorica the lead in the 29th minute. Daku didn't equalize for Osijek until the 75th. Brodic put Gorica back in the lead 6 minutes later, and Daku equalized again for 2:2 in the 84th minute. Loncar gave Osijek the late-game winner in the 3rd minute of injury time for a final score of 3:2. 

 

Osijek is currently in 2nd place with 17 points, while Gorica is in 5th with 13. 

You can see the full HNL table HERE.  

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To learn more about sport in Croatia, CLICK HERE.

Monday, 13 September 2021

HNL Round 8 Recap: Livaja Hattrick for Hajduk, Wins for Dinamo and Rijeka

September 13, 2021 - The 8th round of the Croatian First League was played from September 10 to 12, 2021. This saw a Marko Livaja hattrick for the Hajduk win, while Dinamo and Rijeka celebrated victories at home. Here is our HNL round 8 recap. 

Gorica v. Hr. Dragovoljac (1:1)

Gorica and Dragovoljac opened the 8th round on Friday,  September 10, 2021, in Velika Gorica. 

While the first half went without goals, Gorica's Stojanovski scored the first goal of the match which was ruled offside by VAR in the 56th minute. Lovrić missed a penalty for Gorica 7 minutes later, but Babec scored a minute after that for the 1:0 Gorica lead. Strkalj equalized in the 74th minute for the final 1:1. 

 

Gorica is currently in 5th place with 15 points, while Dragovoljac is in the last place with 4. 

Dinamo v. Šibenik (2:0)

Dinamo and Šibenik met at Maksimir Stadium on Saturday, September 11, 2021. 

It was another match with a scoreless first half. Lauritsen scored for the Dinamo lead in the 68th minute, which Ivanušec increased to 2:0 10 minutes later. 

 

Dinamo is currently in 1st place with 16 points (and one game less), while Šibenik is in 7th with 7. 

Rijeka v. Slaven Belupo (2:1)

Rijeka and Slaven Belupo met at Rujevica Stadium on Saturday, September 11, 2021. 

After a 0:0 first half, Hadzic put Belupo in the lead in the 63rd minute. However, that didn't last long, as Drmić equalized for 1:1 in the 78th minute before scoring his second goal in the 85th minute for 2:1. 

 

Rijeka is currently in 3rd place with 16 points (and one game less), while Belupo is in 9th place with 5 points. 

Istra 1961 v. Hajduk (1:3)

Istra and Hajduk met in Pula on Sunday, September 12, 2021. 

The lack of goals in the first half was redeemed by Marko Livaja, who put Hajduk up 0:1 thanks to a penalty in the 51st minute. A second penalty was awarded to Hajduk 6 minutes later, which Livaja scored for 0:2. Livaja's hattrick came in the 74th minute for the 0:3 lead. Drena got one goal for Istra in the 87th minute for a final score of 1:3. 

 

Istra is currently in 8th place with 6 points (and one game less), while Hajduk is in 2nd with 16. 

Lokomotiva v. Osijek (1:1)

Lokomotiva and Osijek closed out the 8th round on Sunday, September 12, 2021. 

The match's first goal was scored in the 70th minute, thanks to Dabro for the Lokomotiva lead. A double-yellow for Fiolić forced Osijek to play with a man down from the 75th minute. Topcagic was able to equalize in the 3rd minute of added time for the final 1:1 draw. 

 

Lokomotiva is currently in 6th place with 11 points (and one game less), while Osijek is in 4th with 14. 

You can see the full HNL table HERE

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Thursday, 9 September 2021

Historic Day: Referee Ivana Martinčić First Woman to Lead Croatian First League Match

September 9, 2021 - 36-year-old Croatian football referee Ivana Martinčić from Koprivnica will be the first female referee to lead a Croatian First League match. 

The Croatian Football Federation has confirmed that Martinčić will be the head referee this Friday (September 10) in the first match between Gorica and Hrvatski Dragovoljac in the 8th round of the Croatian First League (HNL), reports Jutarnji List.

This will make Croatia the fifth country in Europe where a woman will be the main referee in the football competition's elite class. Women served as main referees at elite matches in France, Wales, the Czech Republic, and Ukraine before Croatia.

"This is a clear example of the direction in which Croatian football is heading, in the spirit of unity, equality, and progress," said HNS.

Ivana Martinčić has been successfully working at the second league level since 2017. In 2018, she refereed the European Under-19 Football Championship final, and in 2015 the European Under-17 Championship final. In June last year, Martinčić was the fourth referee in the Hajduk - Varaždin match. Since 2017, she has refereed Second HNL matches. Since 2019, she has been an elite international referee and is also a candidate for the 2023 Women's World Cup, held in Australia and New Zealand. The head of Croatian football referees, Bruno Marić, has followed Ivana closely and thus decided to give her a chance on the biggest stage. 

HNS president, Marijan Kustić, is very proud to witness the historical moment of the First HNL on Friday.

"It is a great day for Ivana Martinčić, but also the entire HNS. I have often said that we want to keep up with the world on all issues, and this is just one way to show it concretely. We expand our horizons every day, we show our neighbors, but also many in Europe, that we work in all fields, and of course, Ivana deserved such an opportunity with her work. I believe that its success will encourage many, including us in the HNS, to give more attention to women's football in Croatia together," said Kustić.

The president of the HNS Referees Commission, Bruno Marić, is equally proud.

"I think this is a historic day for Croatian refs and the HNS. Opening the First HNL to female referees was part of my program when I ran for the position of President of the HNS Referees Commission. We are entering the world elite in terms of referees in men's football because only four countries - France, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, and Wales - have female referees at the most elite level of national competition. Ivana Martinčić is thus becoming a serious candidate for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, held in 2023. Ivana also completed her VAR education, and I am especially proud to say that she is probably the only one in the world to run men's referee standards at the last seminar. The region we live in does not have such a referee; we are avant-garde in that respect. I am convinced that Ivana will respond to all the challenges brought by the First HNL. My great mission is to bring Ivana to the point of refereeing men's European matches, and she can certainly do that," concluded Marić.

Other refeees for the Fist HNL 8th round matches: on Saturday, Dinamo and Šibenik play (main referee Tihomir Pejin from Donji Miholjac) and Rijeka and Slaven Belupo (Duje Strukan from Split). Dario Bel from Osijek will referee on Sunday in Pula, where Istra 1961 will meet Hajduk. In the last match of this round, the clash between Lokomotiva and Osijek, the main referee will be Mario Zebec.

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To learn more about sport in Croatia, CLICK HERE.

Monday, 30 August 2021

HNL Round 7 Recap: Croatian Derby Weekend - Dinamo Tops Osijek, Rijeka Beats Hajduk

August 20, 2021 - The 7th round of the Croatian First League was held from August 27 to 29, 2021. This round featured Croatia's biggest derbies - Osijek v Dinamo, and Hajduk v Rijeka. Here's our HNL round 7 recap 

Slaven Belupo v. Hr Dragovoljac (0:1)

Belupo and Dragovoljac opened the 7th round on Friday, August 27, 2021, in Koprivnica.

While the first half went without goals, Belupo's s Glavcic received his second yellow in the 76th minute and Mioc scored in the 86th minute for 0:1 and Dragovoljac's first win this season!

 

Belupo is currently in 9th place with 5 points, while Dragovoljac is in last with 3.  

Lokomotiva v. Gorica (0:1)

Lokomotiva and Gorica met on Saturday, August 28, 2021, in Zagreb. 

After another scoreless first half, Lovric scored 0:1 in the 74th minute, which was the final score of the match. 

 

Lokomotiva is currently in 6th place with 10 points, while Gorica is in 5th place with 12 points. 

Sibenik v. Istra 1961 (3:1)

Sibenik and Istra met on Saturday, August 28, 2021, in Sibenik. 

Sibenik scored all three of its goals in the first half - Delic in the 17th, and Jakolis in the 22nd and 32nd. Drena Beljo scored one for Istra in the 74th for the final score of 3:1. 

 

Sibenik is currently in 7th place with 7 points, while Istra is in 8th with 6. 

Osijek v. Dinamo (0:2)

Osijek and Dinamo met in the first big derby of the weekend on Sunday, August 29, 2021, at City Garden Stadium. 3,175 spectators were in attendance.

Jakic scored for the Dinamo lead before the half for 0:1 in the 33rd minute. Pilj missed a penalty for Osijek in the 58th minute and an own goal by Loncar increased Dinamo's lead to 0:2 in the 65th minute. 

 

Osijek is currently in 4th place with 13 points, while Dinamo is in 1st with 13 and one game less. 

Hajduk v. Rijeka (1:2)

Hajduk and Rijeka closed out of the 7th round with the Adriatic Derby at Poljud on Sunday, August 29, 2021. 15,967 spectators were in attendance.

Tomecak scored for 0:1 Rijeka in the 21st minute, which Drmic increased to 0:2 before the half (43'). Hajduk's Elez came back with a goal for 1:2, and after numerous attempts, was unable to equalize. 

 

Hajduk is currently in 3rd place with 13 points, while Rijeka is in 2nd with 13 and one game less. 

You can see the full HNL table HERE.

To follow the latest sports news in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

To learn more about sport in Croatia, CLICK HERE.

Monday, 23 August 2021

HNL Round 6 Recap: Hajduk in 1st After Istra 1961 Shocks Osijek 2:0

August 23, 2021 - The 6th round of the Croatian First League was held from August 20 to 22, 2021. This round saw Hajduk move to 1st place in the standings after Istra 1961 shocked Osijek with a 2:0 win. Here's our HNL round 6 recap. 

Hrvatski Dragovoljac v. Hajduk (0:1)

Hr. Dragovoljac and Hajduk opened the 6th round in Zagreb on Friday, August 20, 2021, in front of 990 (mostly Torcida) spectators. 

While Hajduk sat in Dragovoljac's half for the entire game (bar a few plays), the only goal of the match came in the 5th minute of added time (90+5'), when Simic scored off a corner kick for the Hajduk win. 

 

Dragovoljac is currently in the last place with 0 points, while Hajduk is in 1st with 13. 

Gorica v. Slaven Belupo (1:0)

Gorica and Belupo met in Velika Gorica on Saturday, August 21, 2021. 

While the first half went without goals, Dvornekovic scored for 1:0 Gorica in the 66th minute, which was the final result. 

 

Gorica is currently in 6th place with 9 points, while Belupo is in 8th with 5. 

Dinamo v. Lokomotiva (1:0)

Dinamo and Lokomotiva met at Maksimir on Saturday, August 21, 2021. 

It was yet another match where the first half went without goals, and Oršić only scored for Dinamo in the 77th minute for the 1:0 win. 

 

Dinamo is currently in 10th place with 10 points (and one game less), while Lokomotiva is in 3rd with 10 (and one game less).

Istra 1961 v. Osijek (2:0)

Istra and Osijek met in Pula at the Aldo Drosina Stadium on Sunday, August 22, 2021. 

No goals were scored in the first half, and Istra's first goal didn't come until the 84th minute when Bande scored for 1:0. Miskovic increased Istra's lead in the 4th minute of added time (90+4') for the final score of 2:0. 

 

Istra is currently in 7th place with 6 points (and one game less), while Osijek is in 2nd with 13 points. 

Rijeka v. Sibenik (2:1)

Rijeka and Sibenik closed out the 6th round on Sunday, August 22, 2021, at Rujevica Stadium. 

After a scoreless first half, Delic put Sibenik in the lead for 0:1 in the 47th minute. Drmic equalized in the 64th for 1:1, and Busnja put Rijeka in the lead at 2:1 in the 76th minute for the win. 

 

Rijeka is currently in 5th place with 10 points (and one game less), while Sibenik is in 9th with 4. 

You can see the full HNL table HERE

To follow the latest sports news in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

To learn more about sport in Croatia, CLICK HERE

Monday, 16 August 2021

HNL Round 5 Recap: Osijek Beats Rijeka, Hajduk Moves to 3rd, Šibenik Wins 6:2

August 16, 2021 - The 5th round of the Croatian First League was held from August 13 to 15, 2021. This round saw Osijek win the derby against Rijeka, while Hajduk continued their at-home winning streak. There were even blowout wins for both Šibenik and Lokomotiva! Here's our HNL round 5 recap. 

Dinamo v. Gorica (1:0)

Dinamo and Gorica opened the 5th round at Maksimir Stadium on Friday, August 13, 2021. 

The match's only goal was an own goal by Gorica's Doka, which put Dinamo up at 1:0 in the 36th minute. Gorica was unable to equalize. 

 

Dinamo is currently in 4th place with 7 points (and only 4 games played), while Gorica is in 6th place with 6 points. 

Lokomotiva v. Istra 1961 (4:0)

Lokomotiva and Istra met in Zagreb on Saturday, August 14, 2021. 

Dabro scored Lokomotiva's first goal for 1:0 in the 20th minute. Then, Ibrahim scored goals in the 31st and 45th minutes to make it 3:0 at the half. Finally, Dabro increased Lokomotiva's lead to 4:0 in the 49th minute, which was how the match ended. 

 

Lokomotiva is currently in 2nd place with 10 points, while Istra is in 9th with 3. 

Hajduk v. Slaven Belupo (2:0)

Hajduk and Slaven Belupo met at Poljud Stadium on Saturday, August 16, 2021. 

Emir Sahiti scored the goal of the round in the 35th minute for the 1:0 Hajduk lead at the half. Livaja increased Hajduk's lead from a free kick in the 48th minute for 2:0, which was the final score of the match. 

 

Hajduk is currently in 3rd place with 10 points, while Belupo is in 7th with 5. 

Šibenik v. Hr. Dragovoljac (6:2)

Šibenik and Dragovoljac met in Šibenik on Sunday, August 16, 2021. 

Delić scored in the 1st minute for the early 1:0 lead though Petković equalized for 1:1 in the 34th. Strkalj put Dragovoljac ahead at 1:2 just before the half. 

Šibenik came back strong in the second half, however, scoring 3 goals in 10 minutes for the 4:2 lead (Bačelić-Grgić 52', Marin 58', Jakoliš 61'). Bačelić-Grgić scored again in the 86th minute for 5:2, and Marin finished the match with another goal just before the final whistle for 6:2. 

 

Šibenik is currently in 8th place with 4 points, while Dragovoljac is in the last place with 0. 

Osijek v. Rijeka (1:0)

Osijek and Rijeka closed out the 5th round at City Garden Stadium on Sunday, August 16, 2021. 

VAR called back Rijeka's goal in the 8th minute, and Mierez scored for the Osijek lead in the 17th minute. Osijek scored again in the final minutes of the match, but the goal was also called offside by VAR.

 

Osijek is currently in 1st place with 13 points, while Rijeka is in 5th with 7 points.  

You can see the full HNL table HERE

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