January the 10th, 2022 - The Eastern Croatian city of Osijek is set to get a brand new Osijek Economic Centre worth more than 687 million kuna. This move will certainly work to boost entrepreneurship in this often wrongly overlooked city far from the coast.

As Poslovni Dnevnik/Suzana Lepan Stefancic/VL writes, the project for the preparation of documentation for the up and coming Osijek Economic Centre has been completed in its entirety, thus creating the preconditions for the construction of all buildings within the future complex. The design estimated value of the construction of the Osijek Economic Centre stands at the aforementioned figure of 687.50 million kuna.

''The preparation of project documentation for the Osijek Economic Centre is a complex and large project, and the design of it all as well as the securing of the necessary funds requires a lot of effort. In this project, funds are being jointly invested by Osijek-Baranja County and the City of Osijek. We've presented the documentation, ie the building permit for the entire project,'' said County Prefect Ivan Anusic at the final conference of the project.

The key to Eastern Croatia

He emphasised the fact that the future Osijek Economic Centre is of great value not only for Osijek-Baranja County and the City of Osijek but also for the whole of Eastern Croatia because, along with the Regional Distribution Centre for Fruits and Vegetables, it will become a key project for the development of this county and Osijek as a city. Osijek Mayor Ivan Radic said that the City of Osijek, as a partner in this project, donated land worth 26 million kuna, with another 15 million kuna provided through ITU mechanisms.

''I'm satisfied that everything is going according to the planned dynamics, and I'm convinced that the construction of the Osijek Economic Centre will encourage good economic trends in the city and county,'' said Mayor Radic.

Gabrijela Curkovic, Head of the Administrative Department for Investments and Development Projects of Osijek-Baranja County, pointed out that the recently completed task of dealing with all of the project documentation for the construction of the Osijek Economic Centre was co-financed by the European Union (EU), and that the work was done by the company Sirrah project from Osijek.

The total value of the project stands at 7,447,000 kuna, with 6,329,950 kuna having been co-financed by the EU, 756,525 kuna having been by the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds, and Osijek-Baranja County also provided 360,325 kuna.

The project holder is Osijek-Baranja County, and the City of Osijek is a partner.

''The Osijek Economic Centre will consist of several buildings, and the total area of ​​the closed building itself covers 73,000 square metres, while 35,000 square metres will cover an area of ​​open space,'' concluded Curkovic.

For more, check out our dedicated business section.

January 7, 2022 - Because COVID-19 plagued the Bosnia and Herzegovina national handball team, Croatia handball met Russia to open the Croatia Cup in Osijek on Friday. 

As Russia's appearance at the tournament had been agreed upon earlier, the Croatian Handball Federation reacted quickly and arranged two friendly matches against Russia instead. The first was played on Friday, January 7, and the second to be played on Saturday, January 8, at the same time.

Croatia was left without Luka Šebetić due to an injury, while captain Domagoj Duvnjak and Luka Cindrić are in COVID isolation. Marko Mamić was ruled out of the Croatia Cup to prevent further injury. 

Russia was once an international handball powerhouse. In the last 30 years or so since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia has won eight medals from major competitions. The last one, however, was a long time ago, in Athens at the Olympic Games when they won bronze.

Russia is in a very interesting group at the European Championship, along with Norway, Lithuania, and one of the two hosts, Slovakia. Their first round is played in Košice. 

Recap

Russia scored the first goal of the match for 0:1 at 1:41. Cupic equalized for 1:1 10 seconds later, before Russia took the lead again on a quick counterattack. Mandic made it 2:2 at 2:30. Martinovic scored for 3:2 in the 6th minute and a Mandic goal made it 4:2 in the 7th. 

Martinovic made it 5:2 before Russia finally scored for 5:3 in the 10th minute. Martinovic scored again for 6:3 a minute later!

Cupic made it 7:4 in the 12th and it was 8:4 for Croatia moments later. A Jaganjac lob made it 9:4 in the 14th. Mandic made it 11:7 in the 19th minute. 

Martinivoc hit the upper left corner for a goal in the 24th minute (12:9), again for 13:9 one minute later, and again for 14:10 in the 26th! 

Croatia's star continued to find the back of the net - Martinovic bent it around the keeper for 15:12 with 2 minutes to go in the first half. 

The first half ended 15:12 for Croatia. 

Croatia scored the first goal of the second half in the first minute for 16:12. Glavas scored from 7 meters for 17:12. 

Martinovic scored from 7 meters for 18:13 in the 5th minute. Mihic scored his first goal of the match in the 7th minute for 19:15. 

Sipic scored for 20:16 in the 10th minute and again for 21:17 one minute later.  

Gadza scored for 22:18 in the 13th minute. Jaganjac scored a rocket for 23:19 in the 15th minute. 

Martinovic scored his 10th goal of the game in the 17th minute for 24:20. A quick Croatia counter made it 25:20 in the 18th. 

Jaganjac scored again for 26:20 for Croatia's biggest advantage of the game. Jaganjac scored for 27:22 in the 22nd minute. 

Goalkeeper Mate Sunjic saved a Russia penalty in the 24th minute. 

With 3 minutes to go, Croatia was up by 5 points (28:23). 

A fab play by Glavas made it 29:23. Glavas scored again for 30:23 with 2 minutes to go. Russia scored the final goal of the game which ended 30:24. 

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

December 28, 2021 - The 2021 tourist season is not quite finished in some corners of this beautiful land. As the coast sleeps, HeadOnEast 2021 kicks off tomorrow in Osijek, Full of Life. 

Full disclosure - I loved everything about this festival when it burst on the scene in October, 2019. 

The name, a superb play on Hedonism and Heading on East to a region that a majority of Croats sadly have little knowledge of.

The branding, done by a local Osijek design company.

And the event itself. 

HeadOnEast 2019 coincided with the first-ever Days of Croatian Self-Congratulation (formerly known as Days of Croatian Tourism) to be held in continental Croatia. 

Slavonia was finally given a chance to show Croatia's official tourism workers what it could offer, and they put on quite a show. 

The historic Osijek old town, Tvrdja, shone - so much so that even the locals were wondering what city they were in. You can catch a bit of the atmosphere from that event in the video below. 

The pandemic played its part in the 2020 version, and bad weather caused the postponement of HeadOnEast 2021 back in October.

But the party will go on, and for anyone wondering if Croatia has 365 tourism potential should head on East to Osijek tomorrow, as the two-day HeadOnEast 2021 festival is about to begin. 

Due to renovation works in the fortress area, this year's event will take place at Park Kralja Drzislava, where one of the attractions will be the largest Ferris wheel in South-East Europe, which recently arrived for Advent in Osijek. 

There will be food and drink...

There will be music...

And there will be a lot of fun. For, as those who have had the experience will tell you, there is no party in Croatia quite like a Slavonian party. 

More information about HeadOnEast 2021 on the official Facebook event page.

Never been to eastern Croatia? Find out what you are missing in Time to Tell the Truth about Slavonia Full of Life.

December 28, 2021 - The largest panoramic wheel of Southeast Europe, Sky View, was set up as part of the Advent at the popular Osijek Školjka in the Slavonian metropolis.

It is as high as 35 meters and weighs an incredible 90 tons. Sky View has 24 closed cabins that can seat 6 people and has a total capacity of 144 people. The largest panoramic wheel in Osijek and Croatia arrived from Turkey as a great attraction of Advent in Osijek, reports HrTurizam.

Sky View was produced in Turkey, from where it was delivered to Osijek and had its premiere in the Slavonian metropolis. It attracted a large number of guests to Advent in Osijek because riding in a panoramic wheel of this size is a unique and certainly unforgettable experience.

Such tourist attractions are a lure for visitors and were quickly praised by the leaders of Osijek and Osijek County, who eagerly waited for the wheel and daily monitored the installation so that Osijek would have the largest panoramic wheel as part of its event.

Today, panoramic wheels have become an indispensable attraction of major tourist destinations, and in the largest European cities, they are set as permanent tourist content. This Croatian panoramic wheel is mobile, which makes it attractive for filling the contents of our tourist destinations.

This is the entrepreneurial story of the Vinkovci-based company Contigo, backed by Vedran Jukić, who ordered the panoramic wheel at the end of 2019. "I visited several factories, but in Turkey, I came across the most corporate team that somehow gained my trust because they have many years of experience in making amusement park equipment. I participated in every step of making wheels and often stayed in Turkey. The pandemic caused big problems for production, and the wheel only arrived in Croatia this December,'' says Vedran Jukić, who owns one of the largest amusement parks in Croatia.

It takes a maximum of one week to mount a panoramic wheel of this size, and the surface on which the wheel is placed should be 20 by 15 meters. "The idea of ​​purchasing a mobile panoramic wheel has been in my plan for a long time and I saw great potential in it because I have been in the amusement park segment for years, and the fact that I already have a number of inquiries for this season from our sea destinations they see an opportunity to strengthen tourist facilities by setting up such a large panoramic wheel", adds Jukić.

According to this entrepreneur, the interest is great and we expect that the panoramic wheel Sky View will be a tourist attraction of our sea destinations that stick to themselves and strengthen their tourist offer.

The Sky View panoramic wheel ride in Osijek every working day from 10 am to 11 pm, except on New Year's Eve when it will be open from 10 am to 9 pm. for children up to 12 years the price of the ride is 40 kuna, and the youngest up to three years can ride for free.

For more, check out our dedicated travel section.

December 20, 2021 - The 20th round of the Croatian First League was held from December 17 to 19, 2021. This round featured a sold-out derby between Hajduk and Osijek at Poljud Stadium, while Dinamo's victory pushed them into first place in the final round before the winter break. Here's our HNL round 20 recap. 

Slaven Belupo v. Lokomotiva (2:1)

Belupo and Lokomotiva opened the 20th round in Koprivnica on Friday, December 17, 2021. 

Krstanovic scored a penalty in the 2nd minute of stoppage time for 1:0 at the half. Dabro equalized for 1:1 in the 48th minute. Mario Marina put Belupo back in the lead for 2:1 in the 78th minute, which was the final score. 

Belupo is currently in 8th place with 19 points, while Lokomotiva is in 6th with 24. 

Gorica v. Šibenik (2:3)

Gorica and Šibenik met in Velika Gorica on Saturday, December 18, 2021, in front of 556 fans. 

Lovric scored the match's opening goal for 1:0 Gorica in the 12th minute. Jakolis equalized for 1:1 in the 30th. Delic put Šibenik in the lead in the 51st minute, while Stojanovski equalized in the 68th minute. Jakolis scored the winning goal for the final 2:3 Šibenik. 

Gorica is currently in 5th place with 29 points, while Šibenik is in 7th with 22. 

Rijeka v. Istra 1961 (1:0)

Rijeka and Istra met in the Della Ucka Derby on Saturday, December 18, 2021.

Obregon scored the match's only goal in the 82nd minute for the final 1:0 Rijeka.

Rijeka is currently in 2nd place with 40 points, while Istra is in 9th with 18.

Hr. Dragovoljac v. Dinamo (0:2)

Dragovoljac and Dinamo met in Zagreb on Sunday, December 19, 2021. 

Peric scored for 0:1 Dinamo in the 17th minute. Andric increased the lead to 0:2 in the 68th minute for the final score. 

Dragovoljac is in the last with 7 points, while Dinamo is in 1st place with 40 points (and one match in hand). 

Hajduk v. Osijek (0:0)

Hajduk and Osijek closed out the 20th round on Sunday, December 19, 2021, in front of over 30,000 fans at Poljud Stadium. 

While the game ended without goals, Osijek was awarded a penalty in the 13th minute. Bohar scored his first attempt, which the ref discounted and made him. retake. Lovre Kalinić was brilliant in goal with a save on his second attempt to keep the score even. 

Osijek coach Bjelica was sent off with a red card in the 70th minute. 

Hajduk is currently in 4th place with 35 points (and one match in hand), while Osijek is in 3rd place with 40 points. 

You can see the HNL standings HERE.

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

December 13, 2021 - The 19th round of the Croatian First League was held from December 10 to 12, 2021. This round saw Lokomotiva and Hajduk finish 3:3, Rijeka lose to Gorica, and Osijek jump to first place. Here is our HNL Round 19 recap. 

Istra 1961 v. Hr Dragovoljac (3:0)

Istra and Dragovoljac opened the 19th round on Friday, December 10, 2021, in Pula in front of 296 fans. 

Mahmoud opened the match with a goal for Istra in the 19th minute for 1:0. Bande increased Istra's lead to 2:0 eight minutes later. Lisica confirmed Istra's win with a goal in the 72nd minute for the final 3:0. 

Istra is currently in 8th place with 18 points (and one game less), while Dragovoljac is in last place with 7. 

Lokomotiva v. Hajduk (3:3)

Lokomotiva and Hajduk met in Zagreb on Saturday, December 13, 2021, in front of 2,776 fans. 

An own goal by Elez put Lokomotiva in the lead in the 11th minute. Livaja equalized for Hajduk in the 33rd for 1:1 at the half. Maric put Lokomotiva back in the lead in the 63rd minute, before Mlakar scored two goals in the 76th and 80th for the 2:3 Hajduk lead. A Katic own goal 6 minutes later gave Lokomotiva the 3:3 draw. 

Lokomotiva is currently in 6th place with 24 points, while Hajduk is in 4th with 34 (and one game less).

Rijeka v. Gorica (1:2)

Rijeka and Gorica met at Rujevica on Saturday, December 11, 2021, in front of 3,082 fans. 

Rijeka was weakened when Ampem received his second yellow in the 34th minute, forcing Rijeka to play with a man down for the rest of the match. Lovric scored for the Gorica lead in the 64th minute, and Delfi made it 0:2 in the 75th. Drmic scored one for Rijeka three minutes later for the final 1:2. 

Rijeka is currently in 2nd place with 37 points, while Gorica is in 5th with 29. 

Osijek v. Sibenik (3:1)

Osijek and Sibenik met on Sunday, December 12, 2021, at City Garden Stadium.

Mierez put Osijek in the lead from the 3rd minute, followed by a Bohar goal three minutes later for 2:0. Marin scored for Sibenik a minute after that for 2:1, though Kleinheisler scored in the 33rd for 3:1 at the half, which was also the final score.

Osijek has jumped to first place with 39 points, while Sibenik is in 7th place with 19. 

Dinamo v. Slaven Belupo (3:0)

Dinamo and Belupo closed out the 19th round on Sunday, December 12, 2021, at Maksimir Stadium. 

Andric put Dinamo in the lead in the 13th minute, followed by Orsic goals in the 19th and 25th minutes for the final 3:0. 

Dinamo is currently in 3rd place with 34 points (and two games less), while Belupo is in 9th with 16. 

You can see the HNL standings HERE. 

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

ZAGREB, 12 Dec 2021 - A carbon cleaning machine for internal combustion engines has been promoted at the recent presentation organized by the European Consumer Excellence Centre at Osijek's River Drava Pier.

The advantages of the decarbonization machine were presented by the Centre's head, Josip Keleman, and representatives of the Faculty of Traffic and Transport Sciences and the Faculty of Mining Geology and Petroleum Engineering.

The non-binding presentation, which was the first of this kind in Croatia, brought together executives of the city-run and private companies.

Keleman said that the carbon cleaning method conducted by this machine is non-invasive, takes 60-90 minutes, and is applied in about 20 million vehicles annually in the European Union. The method is already used in 65 countries worldwide.

Fuel consumption by internal combustion engines that have undergone the carbon cleaning procedures, is reduced by up to 10%, said Keleman.

The next venue for the presentation of this decarbonization machine will be in the south of Croatia.

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

December 10, 2021 - The Osijek Christmas tram ride is a unique Advent experience in the Slavonian metropolis. This year, there are two appropriately decorated trams on the regular line that you can catch every day and experience an unforgettable Advent ride through the city on the Drava, which began in 2011.

Recognizable, traditional, the brightest tram in Croatia, the Osijek Christmas tram is visited by almost 15,000 people in the season, and this year it shone in full glory, reports Turističke Priče.

You can find the schedule of the holiday tram at this LINK.

Photo: Osijek Tourist Board/Facebook

The size of a city is not defined by the number of kilometers or the number of inhabitants but is measured by the size of the heart, the strength of the spirit, the kindness of the people. Osijek has long been said to be a "city made to measure" and is big enough to fulfill your needs, desires, dreams and small enough to feel safe, comfortable, and intimate. Big enough to organize the longest walk around the city, small enough to adapt the concept of the Advent celebration to the current situation in a short time.

The senses conceived their Advent through the concept "it is not standing but moving, and it is not a place but a journey". Advent, conceived as a movement around holiday-decorated locations, revived Osijek, showed the character and spirit of Osijek, and revived memories of other times when daily walks and full streets were the main motives for good fun in Osijek for all generations.

Photo: Osijek Tourist Board/Facebook

And the only real success of Advent is happy and smiling people.  Positive emotions, sparkle in the eyes, gratitude, togetherness, which is not lacking in the Slavonian metropolis, which lives 354 days a year with full lungs.

If you want to learn more about the breathtaking capital of Slavonia, be sure to check Total Croatia's Osijek in a Page here.

For more on travel in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

December 6, 2021 - The 22nd Pannonian Challenge in Osijek was attended by more than 200 athletes from 24 countries, and more than 15,000 visitors attended the event during the five days of the festival.

For 22 years, the Pannonian Challenge, a festival of extreme sports and urban culture, has successfully withstood all challenges and imposed new standards year after year, both in sports results and organization, reports HRTurizam.

Over the years, the Pannonian Challenge has become one of the most key events in Osijek and the whole of Slavonia. Moreover, due to its international character, it has crossed the borders of Croatia. Therefore, the importance of this event is unquestionable for Osijek, as the Drava river city is positioned in the world as a center of sports, entertainment, and team spirit.

The 22nd edition of the Pannonian Challenge was attended by more than 200 athletes from 24 countries, and more than 15,000 visitors attended the event during the five days of the festival.

"We are happy that the Pannonian Challenge, despite the corona crisis, managed to continue and for the 22nd year in a row promoted our city, county, and state and brought positivity among our fellow citizens. These figures and data best show the impact of Pannonian on all of us and the community we live in, and thanks to our partners and understanding of the authorities, we have survived the worst and plan a strong return - hosting the BMX World Cup as part of the 23rd Pannonian Challenge! We have a big job ahead of us. Still, we believe that with the support of all our partners and associates, we will succeed, just like in all previous years," said Jurica Barać, director of the Pannonian Challenge.

More than three million kuna was invested in the organization of the event, facilities, and the event's promotion, and thus in Osijek and the whole of Croatia. In addition, viewers from as many as 93 countries worldwide had the opportunity to see Pannonian Challenge footage.

Namely, the media platform Icarus Sport broadcast the show "The Outdoor Sports Show," which was partly dedicated to the Osijek event and shown on 53 sports channels, with a media reach of more than 1.3 billion households worldwide. In addition, the video is shown on flights of Air China, Air Canada, Qatar Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Oman Air, TAP Air Portugal, and many others. Through October 2021, it was seen by tens of thousands of people, with the important note that the video is also shown during November.

The sporting significance of the Pannonian Challenge was further confirmed this year when for the first time, BMX freestyle became an Olympic discipline. The Osijek team led by Igor Vukadinović Poki and Zdenko Liška, president of the Pannonian Association, set up a skate park in Tokyo at the Olympic Games.

The Pannonian Challenge has become a unique brand of its city and the entire country. For years, it has achieved a high global promotion for Osijek, Osijek-Baranja County, and Croatia. 

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

December 6, 2021 - The Croatian Cup semifinal draw was held at the Croatian Football Federation headquarters on Monday. 

In the Croatian Football Cup semifinals, Rijeka will play against Osijek at Rujevica Stadium and Hajduk will face Gorica at Poljud, according to the draw held on Monday in Zagreb.

The semifinal matches will be played on March 1 and 2, 2022. There were no top seeds in the draw and the semifinals will be played in one match.

The Cup final will be played on May 22 next year at Poljud Stadium in Split.

This is a great opportunity for Hajduk, which has played 19 consecutive Cup games away. Hajduk last won the Cup in 2013, which is also the last trophy for the Split club. Hajduk has the chance to play two home games in the Cup and a historic opportunity for their first trophy in eight years. The last time Split hosted the Cup was in March 2016 in the semifinal match against Dinamo.

The Rijeka and Osijek match will certainly be a bit more competitive, though Rijeka will have the home pitch advantage. 

Split will be the seventh different host of the final match for the Croatian Cup since the decision was made in 2016 that only one match will decide the winner of this trophy. The hosts of the previous six finals were Osijek, Varaždin, Vinkovci, Pula, Šibenik, and Velika Gorica.

Recall, in the quarterfinal matches which were played on Tuesday and Wednesday last week, Gorica topped Istra on penalties, Hajduk beat Lokomotiva 6:3, and Osijek beat Belupo on penalties. In the last quarterfinal, Rijeka knocked out Dinamo 3:1, which forced the resignation of Dinamo coach Damir Krznar. 

The sports betting company SuperSport became the title sponsor of the Croatian Football Cup this year. The most massive football competition thus bears the name SuperSport Croatian Football Cup for the 2021/22 season.

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