February 2, 2022 - By studying gravel beach erosion and recovery, the Beachex project aims to come up with effective methods of beach nourishment and ensure a sustainable increase in beach capacity in Croatia

We all love a relaxing long walk on the beach, perhaps even more so in winter when beaches grow quiet with the crowds gone. And it’s not a strange habit to pick up a few shells washed ashore, a lovely pebble or some sea glass. What to do if you happen to come across some rather strangely colored pebbles? Best leave them where you found them, as they might be part of a scientific study. 

Enter the Beachex project, a part of which is currently being conducted on Ploče beach in Rijeka. As reported by Novi list, a sign has been put up on the beach to warn passersby not to (re)move the smart pebbles, as researchers are tracking their movement in order to determine morphodynamics of artificial beaches. 

The project in question is run by the Faculty of Civil Engineering of the University of Zagreb in collaboration with the Lancaster Environment Centre at Lancaster University, and in short, it aims to study beach erosion. 

What inspired the project? As explained on the Beachex project website, the pressure on gravel beaches in Croatia is twofold. On one side, there’s the ever-expanding tourism industry, generating a need to increase beach capacity by beach nourishment to accommodate the growing number of beachgoers. At present, beach nourishment in Croatia isn't regulated by law, and is thus often conducted with artificial materials that are unsuitable for the purpose and harmful for the ecosystem. 

On the other end, there’s also the increased storm activity caused by climate change, also leaving its mark on beaches. 

Ploce beach in Rijeka / Image source: grad.hr/beachex

‘The Beachex project aims to explore the mechanisms of gravel beach erosion and recovery to provide technical support for long-term beach nourishment in order to achieve a sustainable increase in beach capacity while reducing the influence of climate change’, states the project website.

Apart from the smart pebbles, measurements are collected on Ploče beach using video monitoring and an oceanographic buoy combined with geodesy measurement. 

Tracking beach morphodynamics, however, is just one of the project’s goals. Researchers are also building a database of nourished beaches in Croatia and aim to educate the public about beach erosion through workshops in Rijeka and Split. The impact of beach nourishment on marine life is being studied through dive surveys on beaches in several coastal towns.

All the data collected as part of the project will also help scientists predict the impact of climate change in regards to beach sustainability, so that preventative action can be taken to reduce the influence of extreme natural events on beaches, as well as tourism at large. 

All in all, if you see a pebble coloured bright red, yellow, or any other colour that kind of looks out of place on a gravel beach, just leave it - best not to intervene in those morphodynamics. 

Find out more about the Beachex project here. 

August 3, 2020 - In the first match of the playoffs for the Croatian First League, Istra 1961, as a guest at Kantrida stadium, defeated Orijent 3-0 (1-0) and took a big step towards remaining in the company of Croatia's football best.

The first two goals in the match were scored by Grzan, the first in the 8th minute from a penalty kick, the second in the 64th minute, and Maganjic secured the final result in the third minute of the referee's added time.

Istra gained the advantage very early after Smolcic clumsily and unnecessarily knocked down Guzina in the penalty area. Grzan made sure the ball went nowhere but the net for the 1-0 lead.

Already in the 22nd minute, Orijent began losing hope as Ivancevic was sent off with a red card due to a dangerous play. Orijent was forced to play with a man down for the rest of the match.

The second goal of the match was scored by Grzan in the 64th minute, when in the race for a deep ball, Grzan was quicker than the Orijent goalkeeper Berkovic, found his way around him and hit the empty net diagonally.

At the very end of the match, the questionable referee Jovic showed two more red cards. First, after a rough foul, he only showed Istra 1961 player Ivancic a yellow card. After Orijent player Gerc pointed out that it was a red card foul, Jovic first showed Gerc a yellow card for objecting, and as it was his second yellow card, he was excluded from the game. Jovic then consulted VAR, and after watching a recording of Ivancic's offense, he excluded him as well.

At the very end of the match, Maganjic locked in Istra's final and convincing 3-0 lead.

The return match will be played in Pula on Wednesday.

Source: HRT

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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. 

The first step to constructing a new stadium in the Kantrida neighborhood of Rijeka was made in Dubrovnik.

Representatives of Armada also proposed for the iconic stadium to be made part of the project European Capital of Culture 2020