May 27, 2019 - The 36th round of the Croatian First League closed out the 2018/19 season on Sunday with the highly anticipated 'Eternal Derby’ between Dinamo and Hajduk. Sunday’s games, which were all held at 7 pm, also included a meeting between Osijek and Inter, and Lokomotiva and Gorica. 

Without further ado, here is our recap for the final round of the Croatian First League this season. 

Istra 1961 v. Rudeš (2:0)

Istra and Rudeš, the two worst-placed teams this season, met on Friday, May 24, 2019, in Pula to open the final round of the season in front of 392 fans. 

While the first half went without goals, Iglesias scored for Rudeš in the 63rd minute for 1:0, and Pavić secured the win for the home team thanks to a goal in the 92nd minute for 2:0. 

Istra ended the season in 9th place with 25 points, while Rudeš finished in last with 14. 

Slaven Belupo v. Rijeka (1:1)

Belupo and Rijeka met in Koprivnica on Saturday, May 25, 2019, in front of 872 fans. 

Another game where the first half went without goals, it was Belupo’s Plantak to score first for 1:0 in the 57th minute, though their lead didn’t last long thanks to an equalizer by Acosty in the 64th for 1:1. 

Belupo finished the season in 7th place with 37 points, while Rijeka finished in 2nd with 67. 

Osijek v. Inter Zaprešić (3:1)

Osijek and Inter met on Sunday, May 26, 2019, at City Garden Stadium in front of 2,820 fans. 

Inter was the first to score thanks to a goal by Postonjski in the 15th minute. Osijek equalized in the 42nd minute after Lepa scored for 1:1 at the half. 

Pilj put Osijek in the lead with a goal in the 50th minute, and Bočkaj closed out the victory for Osijek with a goal in the 83rd for 3:1. 

Osijek finished the season in 3rd place with 62 points, while Inter finished in 8th with 31. 

Lokomotiva v. Gorica (2:3)

Lokomotiva and Gorica met on Sunday, May 26, 2019, in Zagreb in front of 380 fans. 

Lovrić scored for Gorica in the 14th minute to put the away team in the lead at the half, though Ivanušec came back for Lokomotiva to equalize 1:1. Gorica retook the lead thanks to Miya’s goal in the 52nd, and Lovrić secured another in the 60th minute for 1:3. Burić was able to get one back for Lokomotiva in the 92nd minute, and the game ended 2:3. 

Lokomotiva finished the season in 6th place with 49 points, while Gorica finished in 5th with 59. 

Dinamo v. Hajduk (3:1)

Dinamo and Hajduk met on Sunday, May 26, 2019, to close out the final round of the 2018/19 season in front of 15,433 fans. 

Hajrović scored for Dinamo in the 20th minute for 1:0 at the half. Gavranović increased Dinamo’s lead at the start of the second half for 2:0 in the 49th minute and scored again less than 10 minutes later for 3:0. 

Hajduk was able to come back with one goal thanks to Caktaš in the 68th minute, who was named the top goalscorer of HNL this season. 

Dinamo finished the season in first place with 92 points, while Hajduk finished in 4th with 62 points. 

You can find the full table here. 

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

Croatia’s best female gymnast Ana Đerek won the gold medal at the World Cup competition in Osijek after a brilliant floor performance, while the best Croatian male gymnast Tin Srbić finished sixth after falling during his routine, reports HRT on May 27, 2019. 

In the final, Đerek achieved a high score of 13,033 for her routine, which was more than enough for first place. 

This was Đerek’s third appearance before the Osijek audience where she achieved her best result. Along with her excellent performance on the floor, Ana placed fourth in the final of the balance beam. With this result, Ana surpassed her previous best placement in Osijek - fifth place on the floor in 2015.

To win the medal on the balance beam, the Split gymnast missed by only 0.034 points.

“I went into the finals as the first, so there was a chance to stay in first, but I did not think I was going to succeed. This is my first medal, and I did not think it would be the gold right away. I'm so happy! Of the four exercises, these were four good performances. Really… even the final beam was better than the qualification. I managed to stay focused and repeat it all. I'm thrilled and proud of myself. The audience is incredible here. You only feel something like this once in a lifetime,” said Đerek after the triumph.

With the same number of points in second place in the standings was Ukrainian gymnast Angelina Radivilov who, despite a higher starting point, had a weaker performance than Ana. The bronze medal on the floor was awarded to the Romanian gymnast Alexandra Mihai (12,933).

As far as the balance beam is concerned, the first place was awarded to Ukraine's Angelina Radivilov (13,333), while second and third were achieved by Romanian gymnasts Carmen Ghiciuc (13,100) and Alexandra Mihai (12,667).

The second Croatian representative in Sunday’s final was the current European finalist Tin Srbić who performed his new exercise, which needs to be at its peak in the second part of the season for the World Cup in Stuttgart. This was also Tin’s first appearance after winning the silver at the European Championship in Poland.

Unfortunately, Srbić did not reach his third consecutive gold in Osijek. At this year's edition of the World Cup, Tin came in sixth with a score of 12,933 thanks to a fall at the beginning of the exercise.

“That’s gymnastics. I rarely make mistakes, but it's an indication that everyone makes mistakes, it happens. I love to perform in front of a full auditorium; it's even more exciting to me. The problem is when you're not in shape, then gymnastics cannot really help. I have experienced and realized this now. I've set too high expectations, and went to do the toughest exercise. The fall happened at the beginning of the exercise, making it very difficult to move on. I'm glad I managed to get to the end of the exercise without falling. I'm really happy to have garnered the courage for this tough exercise,” Tin Srbić said.

The best score of the DOBRO World Cup in Osijek this year was achieved by Russian Aleksej Rostov (13.733). The silver medal also went to Russia, to Aleksander Karcevo (13,600), while the bronze medal went to the Cypriot gymnast Georgiou.

Croatia thus participated in six big finals at this year's edition of the World Cup in Osijek, and gold medals were won by Robert Seligman on the pommel horse and Ana Đerek on the floor. 

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

May 25, 2019 - In June, Croatia continues their Euro 2020 qualifications with the highly anticipated match against Wales.

The Croatia national football team will host Wales in its third qualifying match for Euro 2020 on Saturday, June 8, starting at 15:00 at City Garden Stadium in Osijek.

The Croatian Football Federation published details regarding the sale of tickets for the duel on Wednesday, May 22.

Namely, tickets for the game against Wales were available from May 23 via online sales and would stay available at the pre-sale price until June 2 at 23:59. Spectators could also purchase tickets at the box office at City Garden Stadium from May 23 to May 26 during the pre-sale. Pre-sale ticket prices ranged from 80 kuna for the East stands, to 150 kuna for the West. Ticket prices were meant to increase from 120 to 200 kuna once the pre-sale ended. 

And if you didn’t grab tickets during the pre-sale, you’re out of luck.

Namely, HNS announced that in just two days, all available tickets via the internet and box office at City Garden Stadium had been sold, confirming just how significant the interest is to witness two international football giants take the pitch in Osijek. 

The Osijek football club is actively working on expanding the capacity of the stadium - and if this opportunity is successfully realized, the Croatian Football Federation will offer additional tickets on sale and timely inform the public.

And if you’re still unable to snag tickets in Osijek, on June 11, Croatia will meet Tunisia in a friendly in Varaždin at 20:45. Tickets for the match against Tunisia can still be purchased online. Ticket sales at the Varteks stadium go on sale on June 9, from 9 am to 6 pm. All revenue from ticket sales will be donated for humanitarian purposes.

Ticket prices:
West Stands - 150 kn 
East Stands - 100kn 
South Stands - 50 kn

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

May 21, 2019 - The 35th round of the Croatian First League was held from May 18 to 20, 2019. The second to last round of the season saw Hajduk move into third place and Osijek fall to fourth after a loss to Gorica.

Inter Zaprešić v. Dinamo (2:3)

Inter and Dinamo met in Zaprešić in front of 1,688 spectators to open the 35th round on Saturday, May 18, 2019. 

While it was Kadzior to score the first two goals for Dinamo (5’, 17’), Inter’s Ajayi came back with a goal in the 32nd, and Tsonev with another in the 35th to equalize. Dinamo was awarded a penalty in the 61st minute which Andrić scored for 2:3.

Inter is currently in 8th place with 31 points, while Dinamo has already claimed the Croatian championship and sits in first with 89 points. 

Rijeka v. Lokomotiva (1:0)

Rijeka and Lokomotiva met on Saturday, May 18, 2019, at Rujevica stadium in front of 3,068 fans. 

Murić scored the only goal of the game in the 36th minute, which ultimately gave Rijeka the home win. 

Rijeka is currently in second place with 66 points, while Lokomotiva is in 6th with 49. 

Hajduk v. Istra 1961 (4:1)

Hajduk and Istra met at Poljud in front of no fans on Sunday, May 19, 2019. 

While Istra was the first to score thanks to Ivančić in the 6th minute, Hajduk picked it up in the second half and managed four goals. Caktaš scored first in the 48th minute, followed by Gyurcso in the 56th for 2:1. Jairo scored in the 77th minute for 3:1, and Nejašmić in the 93rd for 4:1. 

Hajduk is currently in third place with 62 points, while Istra is in 9th with 22. 

Gorica v. Osijek (1:0)

Gorica and Osijek met on Sunday, May 19, 2019, in Velika Gorica in front of 1,693 fans. 

While the first half went without goals, it was Gorica’s Suk to score in the 57th minute for 1:0, which was the final score of the game. 

Gorica is currently in 5th place with 56 points, while Osijek is in 4th with 59. 

Rudeš v. Slaven Belupo (0:1)

Rudeš and Belupo closed out the 35th round on Monday, May 21, 2019, at Kranjčevićeva street stadium in front of 83 fans. 

The first half went without goals and it wasn't until a penalty for Belupo in the 78th minute that Delić scored for 0:1. 

Rudeš remains in the last place with 14 points, while Belupo is in 7th with 36. 

You can see the full HNL table here. 

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

The long-awaited day has finally come. In addition to the Days of the First Croatian Beer, organised by the Osječka Pivovara brewery on the left bank of the Drava river, and the craft beer festival held on Sunčana Street, Osijek now also has its home brewing festival – HOMBRE.

HOMBRE is a play-on-words and an abbreviation from the expression “home brewing.” Spaghetti westerns inspired the visual identity of the festival, so the festival poster included the character of Angel Eyes from the cult movie The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.

Conceptually, this event is similar to the Požega Krigla or Pijana Čaplja in Slavonski Brod. For a price of just 100 kuna, visitors received a festival glass, two dinners and beer in unlimited quantities. On offer were beers made by craft breweries, as well as homebrewed beers.

The festival took place on Saturday, May 18, and the venue was the Pampas shooting range in Osijek, located in the town, yet sufficiently distant to provide the intimacy of a homebrewing party. This is an event where you come intentionally (and remain until the end), unlike the craft beer festival in Sunčana Street, which you can stumble across while taking a walk through the town, have a beer or two, and then leave.

When it comes to craft breweries, visitors had a chance to drink ESB by Valens, Novi Val by the Medvedgrad brewery, pale ale by Zmajska brewery, C4 by Nova Runda and the coffee stour by the Mlinarica brewery. Appropriately for this type of event, there were considerably more homebrewed beers on offer. Visitors were quite thirsty, empty kegs kept being replaced by full ones, so it is difficult to list everything that was offered, but we should certainly mention a homebrewing team which appeared under the name Dost’ Dobro Pivo, and brought two truly quite good beers: American pale named “mosaic + simcoc = ♡” and fruit beer called “It takes two to mango”.

Congratulations to the leadership of the Pannonian Brewery Union who organised the event. They thought of everything, even bringing a cannon for mosquito spraying so that the blood-thirsty insects would not spoil the fun for the beer-thirsty visitors!

More news about Croatia’s beer-brewing industry can be found in the Lifestyle section.

May 16, 2019 - The 34th round of the Croatian First League was held on May 14 and 15, 2019. In one of the few mid-week rounds, we saw Rijeka fall to Osijek, and Hajduk crush the last-placed Rudeš, inching them even closer to securing that sacred 4th European spot. 

Without further ado, here is our 34th round recap.

Istra 1961 v. Inter Zaprešić (0:1)

Istra and Inter met in Pula on Tuesday, May 14, 2019, to open the 34th round in front of 488 fans. 

The first and only goal of the game was scored by Inter’s Serderov, which gave the away team the 0:1 win. 

Istra is currently in 9th place with 22 points, while Inter is in 8th with 31. 

Rudeš v. Hajduk (1:4)

Rudeš and Hajduk met on Tuesday, May 14, 2019, at Kranjčevićeva street stadium in front of 738 fans. 

Hajduk’s Mijo Caktaš was the first to score with a goal in the 17th minute for 0:1. Caktaš increased Hajduk’s lead to 0:2 with another goal in the 58th minute, though Rudeš was able to come back with one thanks to Lisakovich who scored in the 62nd. Caktaš nailed a hattrick in the 65th minute for 3:1, and Jradi scored one minute later for the final score of 1:4. 

Rudeš remains in the last place with 14 points, while Hajduk sits in 4th with 59.

Slaven Belupo v. Lokomotiva (1:1)

Belupo and Lokomotiva met on May 15, 2019, in Koprivnica in front of 315 fans. 

While the first half went without goals, it was Belupo to score first thanks to a penalty scored by Mateus for 1:0. Lokomotiva was able to equalize in the 75th minute for 1:1. 

Belupo is currently in 7th place with 33 points, while Lokomotiva is in 6th with 49. 

Dinamo v. Gorica (3:1)

Dinamo and Gorica met on Wednesday, May 15, 2019, at Maksimir in front of 610 fans. 

Dinamo’s Moro scored first in the 17th minute, which was followed by a goal from Olmo in the 21st for 2:0. Gorica did come back with one goal in the 25th thanks to Ndiaye for 2:1 at the half. 

After Petković missed a penalty in the 66th minute, it was Leovac to score in the 71st minute for the Dinamo win.

Dinamo has already clinched the title and is in the first place with 86 points, while Gorica is in 5th place with 53. 

Osijek v. Rijeka (2:1)

Osijek and Rijeka met on Wednesday, May 15, 2019, to close out the 34th round at City Garden Stadium in front of 2,032 fans. 

Rijeka was the first to score thanks to a goal by Colak in the 11th minute, though Osijek’s Marić equalized in the 24th minute for 1:1. Rijeka’s Pavić was sent off the pitch after a double yellow in the 39th minute. 

Marić scored again for Rijeka in the 48th minute, giving Osijek the home win. 

Osijek is currently in third place with 59 points,  while Rijeka is in 2nd with 63. 

You can see the HNL table here. 

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

"Festival Cvijeća" is a festival of flowers event which will be happening this coming weekend May 11 to 12 2019. The location will take place in “Parka kralja Stjepana Držislava” (translation “King Stephen Držislava Park”) as well other venues in the old city known as Tvrđa.

It is no coincidence that Mother’s day happens on May the 12th making this the perfect weekend to celebrate the special occasion in Osijek. It all happens this year in one of Osijek’s most historical parks in Slavonia. Visitors and guest are just steps away from the historical fortress known as Tvrđa with the incredible backdrop of the River Drava. There is a certain sense of Nostalgia in Osijek being surrounded with it’s the old city charm and elegance that brings people out year after year.

With the brilliant colours now that spring is finally here and the flowers are in full bloom Osijek has a history of being the garden city of Croatia. This festival flowers has all the things as a central theme of flowers from art exhibits, dresses made of flowers, and of course the opportunity to go shopping for flowers. Who can argue that this is time to go to Osijek to see "Festival Cvijeća" (Flower Festival) and show appreciation to a very important person in your life?

The activities are all day long with theatrical dancing performances, concerts and fashion. There, of course, will be local regional cuisine from Osijek-Baranja for everyone to enjoy. Here is a look back at last year’s festival.

This year will program will include: Flower shows, Interactive activities, Tours of the park, Treasure hunts, Photograph exhibition related to flowers, Classical Concerts and many more musical events. Tours of the park and much more.

Along with the fair it will also be held around Osijek Old city part known as Tvrđa. You can visit various other content such as concerts, exhibitions and theater-dance performances on flowers and plants.

 
With the sights and sounds of festival with the backdrop of picturesque Tvrđa the perfect weekend to spend in Osijek. Plus with its old world charm of baroque architecture it the time to build more wonderful moments with family and friends. This is an annual event which is normally held on the 2nd weekend of May.

Looking to learn more about Osijek? Check out the Total Croatia Osijek in a Page guide.

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. 

ZAGREB, May 2, 2019 - On the occasion of Yom HaShoa or Holocaust Remembrance Day, representatives of the Jewish Community of Osijek, Osijek-Baranja County and the Town of Osijek on Thursday laid wreaths at the "Mother and Child" memorial by Jewish sculptor Oscar Nemon in that eastern Croatian city.

A representative of the Jewish community of Osijek, Željko Beissman, said Yom HaShoah commemorated the suffering, martyrdom and heroism of Jews during the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising from mid-April to mid-May 1943.

"By commemorating that day, we remember the victims and warn of the great evil that happened, the 20th genocide that claimed the lives of more than six million Jews," said Beissman, adding that the main message of Yom HaShoah was that something like that must never happen again.

The secretary of the Jewish Community of Osijek, Dragutin Kohn, said they had hoped that this year the Holocaust would be commemorated differently.

"We had hoped for a single commemoration at Jasenovac, but unfortunately that did not happen. That's not good and everyone should understand that one does not go to Jasenovac to listen to political speeches but to pay tribute to the victims of that camp. I hope that next year we will go to Jasenovac in a single, dignified column," Kohn said, stressing that the past must not be forgotten but that it was time to turn to the future.

He added that the Osijek Jewish Community now has around 150 members and that before World War II around 3,500 Jews lived in Osijek.

More news about Jews in Croatia can be found in the Politics section.

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.