November the 30th, 2022 - Canada's goalkeeper Milan Borjan caused an intense reaction during the Canada-Croatia match (during which Croatia really f*cked Canada, by the way, Mr. Herdman) with his comments about Croatia and ''Krajina''. Croatian fans launched a wave of anger (and literal physical items) at Borjan, who otherwise plays for Crvena Zvezda (Red Star) Belgrade.

Croatian football fans aren't the only people Borjan has managed to upset with his statement about being ''born in Krajina, not in Croatia'', and his own grandmother, Stefica Borjan (83) has come out and said in no uncertain terms ''Jebala ga Krajina'' which you'll no doubt be able to quite easily translate and save me the job.

As Mirovina writes, Canadian goalkeeper Milan Borjan isn't the most popular person in Croatia at this moment in time, he's apparently even less popular with his own grandmother, 83-year-old Stefica Borjan, who came out and commented on the extremely controversial statement he made about his birthplace and his performance at the World Cup as the Canadian goalkeeper in the recent match against Croatia.

After the convincing victory of the incredible Croatian national team over Canada (4-1), apart from Croatia's talented goal scorers themselves, the hottest topic was Canadian goalkeeper Milan Borjan. During the match, Croatian fans threw all kinds of things at him from the stands, and he responded by raising three of his fingers at them. Look up the historical meaning of that and just why it's so insulting to do to a Croat.

Although he pointed out after the match that the Croatian players behaved like ''gentlemen'', the public will definitely not forget his statement from a few years ago. Journalists once asked him how he would describe himself, as a Serb born in Croatia who plays for Canada.

''Big mistake. I wasn't born in Croatia. I was born in Krajina, Dalmatia, it was a Serbian place. When I describe myself, I say I'm from Serbia, should I say Dalmatia, but I feel like a Canadian,'' was his answer. We're not sure Borjan's strong point is geography, but that's another matter for another time.

Stefica Borjan is far from thrilled with his performance and she's made zero effort to hide it

After the match, fans somehow got hold of Borjan's mobile phone number and sent him around 2,500 rather, erm... inappropriate messages. During that time, the Dnevnik Nova TV team visited the village close to Drnis in inland Dalmatia where his grandmother, Stefica Borjan, lives.

''Listen, I'm a little angry about all this. He should have done a little better,'' she said.

She didn't seem to be very enthusiastic about the fact that her grandson conceded four goals against the Croatian team. Let's remember that Kramaric scored twice, as did Livaja and Majer.

''Well, it is what it is, what am I going to do with him? Is it my fault?'' Stefica threw up her hands and asked.

"Nobody hates anyone"

She also commented on his controversial statements about being born in Krajina. Borjan could also quite easily take his grandmother's message as an insult.

''He didn't say anything in particular. He only said that he was born in Knin and that he loves, as he says, Krajina. F*ck his Krajina. I was immediately angry about that, that he'd mention Krajina, and his grandmother is Croatian, his father is half Serbian and half Croatian,'' said 83-year-old Stefica Borjan for Nova TV.

Despite the wave of fury that her grandson caused with his odd statements, she claims that there is no hatred in the Borjan family to speak of, for anyone.

''Oh no, no. Nobody hates anyone, nobody despises anyone,'' concluded the grandmother of the Canadian goalkeeper of Serbian origin who was born in Croatia. Not in Krajina.

For more, follow our politics and sport sections.

July the 29th, 2022 - Gorski kotar is an often overlooked place in Croatia, seen mostly as part of the country one passes through when going to or from the coast. This gorgeous, green and mountainous part of the country has a lot to boast of itself, and is much more than simply a location one goes through aiming for the sea. For sportspeople and training, it's often a desired location.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, the rugged green region of Gorski kotar is very attractive to both professional and recreational athletes throughout the year, and especially during the summer months due to more tolerable, even pleasant daytime and cool night temperatures, as opposed to the extreme heat most of the rest of the country suffers through at that time of the year.

Any sort of physical activity in combination with extremely high daily temperatures increases the thermal and circulatory load of athletes and causes the rapid dehydration of the body, as shown by the research conducted in the field of thermoregulation of healthy and active people. It can be extremely dangerous. When it comes to training for sport, it is extremely important that the air temperature puts as little strain on the athlete's body as possible.

That's why Gorski kotar is often chosen for the preparation of athletes, because during the day they can prepare, warm up and participate in competitions with significantly less strain being placed on the body than doing it elsewhere in the country, where things could go very awry very quickly indeed. This way, they spend less time on the very necessary cooling down of the body, which optimises their time. At the same time, fresher, cooler nights provide them with a high quality dose of sleep for effective body renewal, which consequently affects their sporting performance.

This weekend, two sporting competitions are being held in Gorski kotar. One open Croatian championship in orienteering is being held, the 25th Croatia Open, which will be held from July the 31st to August the 5th in the area of ​​Delnice, Mrkoplje, Risnjak National Park in Crni Lug and Krk. It is an international competition of a traditional character that has brought thousands of competitors from about forty different countries to the mountainous heart of Croatia.

The competition quickly became one of the most important in the entire region, and Gorski kotar was promoted as a desirable summer orientation destination in Europe. More than 270 participants from as many as 27 countries applied for this year's competition. It will take place on the karst grounds of Zrinski vrh next to Delnice, the old city centre of the city of Krk and in the forested parts of Crni and Sungerski Lug. The conception of the competition's courses was done by the chief course planner András Kersity with his assistants Balázs Gyenizse-Nagy and Zoltan Racz.

The second competition set to take place in Gorski kotar is the Croatian cross-triathlon championship for the categories of cadets, juniors and seniors, which will be held on Lake Lokvar on Saturday, July the 30th, starting at 10:00. The organisation of this event is being led by the best triathlon club in Croatia, "Maksimir", the newly founded "Triathlon Club Gorski Kotar" and the Municipality of Lokve. There will be a super sprint triathlon race and a standard cross triathlon race along two courses, both of which include swimming, mountain biking and cross running.

This is a form of the popular "Xterra triathlon" series of races, for which Gorski kotar is an extremely suitable location due to the tolerable temperatures and the type of terrain. The aim of this collaboration is to popularise this type of triathlon in Gorski kotar, which will generate a strong motive for visiting the destination.

"In the experience industry of today, it's really important to recognise the motives of visitors who remain loyal to the destination, and the support that the Gorski kotar area provides to athletes is comprehensive, from the natural microclimatic conditions to operational support, a rich gastronomic offer and quality accommodation facilities," said Petar Hrg, the director of the Tourist Board of Gorski kotar.

For more, make sure to check out our dedicated lifestyle section.

ZAGREB, 8 Sept, 2021 - Prime Minister Andrej Plenković on Wednesday organised a welcoming ceremony for Croatian athletes who had competed at the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo, congratulating them on their achievements.

Addressing the athletes, Plenković said that the government appreciated and was very grateful for their achievements and promotion of Croatia on the global scene.

He said that his government had increased investments in sports by 100% and would continue to invest.

Attending the welcoming ceremony for the Croatian Olympic and Paralympic athletes were also Finance Minister Zdravko Marić, Tourism and Sports Minister Nikolina Brnjac, Labour Minister Josip Aladrović, Defence Minister Mario Banožić and Croatian Olympic Committee president Zlatko Mateša.

During the 23 July-8 August Olympic Games in Tokyo, Croatia won eight medals: three golds, three silvers and two bronzes.

Croatian athletes with disabilities who competed at the 24 August- 5 September Paralympic Games won seven medals - three silvers and four bronzes.

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

June 3, 2021 - TCN's highlights of the week. A look at the events in Croatia from June 28 through the selection of TCN's reporter Ivor Kruljac.

EURO 2020 elimination and Dario Šarić in the NBA finals. Zagreb witnessing a series of arrests related to corruption of Milan Bandić's reign and explosive device planted in Split. In the midst of it all, is COVID-19 vaccination on its way to becoming obligatory and not optional? You may prefer the good news or the bad news, but here is both, as another week in Croatia comes to an end.

© Marin Tironi / PIXSELL

Highlights of the week: Uskok arresting Zagreb entrepreneurs and associates of former mayor Milan Bandić

The Office of Zagreb Mayor Tomislav Tomašević said on Wednesday that a preliminary investigation by members of the Office of the Chief State Prosecutor and the Office for Suppression of Corruption and Organised Crime (USKOK) started at the city administration offices at 6 am on Wednesday.

As TCN wrote, several people were arrested on suspicion of corruption, including the director-general of the HRT public broadcaster, Kazimir Bačić, Andrea Šulentić, and Ana Stavljenić-Rukavina. Both Šulentić and Rukavina were directors in Zagreb administration offices and close associates of former mayor Milan bandić. At the same time, details Bandić's heavy corruption (suspected and known publicly earlier) came to light.

© Goran Stanzl / PIXSELL

Highlights of the week: Croatia eliminated from Euro 2020 after losing to Spain

Croatia and Spain met in Copenhagen on Monday for their EURO 2020 round of 16 match. It was a decent effort from Croatia, but not enough. Despite the Spain own goal in the 20th minute, the distraction as Rebić went to change his boots saw Spain even the score. The score towards the end of regular time went to 3:1 for Spain, but Croatia managed to lower to 3:2 and finally, in the added time, Pašalić scored for 3:3.

But, the euphoria was ruined for Croatia as in extra time, Morata earned Spain 4:3, and by 103rd minute, the total and final score was 5:3 for Spain. It was one of the more intense games on Euro so far as both teams show incredible spirit and persistence. 

© Dusko Jaramaz / PIXSELL

Highlights of the week: Opposition parties against vaccination being required for job-keeping payments  

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) called on Prime Minister Andrej Plenković on Thursday not to make vaccination a requirement for job-keeping payments, while the Most party said business owners were being blackmailed into vaccination.

As TCN reported, SDP leader Peđa Grbin elaborated his dissatisfaction via social networks.

"In Croatia, mandatory vaccination is possible, but the obligation is first established under the law on the protection of the population and then regulated and worked out under Immunisation Rules and the Mandatory Vaccination Programme. The obligation of vaccination can't be imposed in another way, notably not by linking support for entrepreneurs with vaccination," SDP president Grbin posted on Facebook.

"Most is against entrepreneurs, who are being forced into vaccination through blackmail, saving the government's mindless epidemic policy", stated the Most party on its official Twitter account. They added that Croatia was stuck with over 300,000 surplus vaccines because of poor government moves and communication omissions.

© Hrvoje Jelavic / PIXSELL

Highlights of the week: Dario Šarić becomes 5th Croatian basketballer in the NBA finals

Šibenik's Dario Šarić is the 5th Croatian basketball player to reach the NBA finals! As TCN wrote, Šarić became only the fifth Croatian basketball player in the NBA league finals, joining the company of Dražen Petrović, Toni Kukoč, Žan Tabak, and Ante Žižić. Šarić plays for Phoenix Suns. They topped the Los Angeles Clippers 4-2 in the NBA Western Conference Finals. Apart from basketball, Šarić also likes to enjoy sipping coffee on Šibenik cafe terraces, as portrayed in the photo. 

© Milan Sabic / PIXSELL

Highlights of the week: Bomb planted in Split. One person injured
In the night from Thursday to Friday, an unknown person placed an explosive device underneath a vehicle. The explosion damaged six cars, and one person required medical attention. The investigation is ongoing since Friday morning.  

To learn more about Croatia, have a look at our TC website.

For more about news in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

ZAGREB, 19 May, 2021 - Bosnian police arrested Croatian football manager Zoran Mamić in the southern town of Međugorje on Wednesday morning based on a warrant issued by Croatia.

Mamić will be handed over to the State Court which will decide on Croatia's request for his extradition.

Mamić has confirmed earlier that he holds dual Croatian and Bosnian citizenship and wants to serve the prison sentence imposed on him by a Croatian court in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Bosnian State Court is expected to reject the extradition request on the ground that Mamić holds Bosnian citizenship.

Mamić has been sentenced in Croatia to four years and eight months in prison for siphoning funds from the Dinamo Zagreb football club.

The Zagreb County Court issued a warrant for his arrest on 12 May after he failed to report for serving his sentence.

For more news about sport in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

For more news about Croatia, CLICK HERE.

ZAGREB, 16 May, 2021 - The Croatian Deaf Sport Federation will host the 12th European Deaf Handball Championship in Zagreb on 18 to 27, the first major competition of the deaf to take place in Croatia.

The championship will feature six national teams - Bosnia and Herzegovina, France, Russia, Serbia, Turkey and Croatia. Croatia will be defending the gold medal won at the previous championship in Berlin in 2016. 

For more news about sports in Crotia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

March 5, 2020 - Based on the implementation of the "Sport Croatia" project for 2020, the Croatian National Tourist Board (HTZ) has supported a total of 24 sports projects, totaling 8.1 million kuna.

This is a cooperation of HTZ with the organizers of top sporting events in Croatia, as well as with top Croatian athletes in order to promote Croatian tourism further, reports the Ministry of Tourism.

"Croatia is internationally recognized for sports and tourism, which is why promoting tourism through sports is a very effective tool in further positioning our country as an attractive tourist destination," said HTZ Director Kristjan Stanicic, adding that among 24 selected projects, 14 relate to cooperation with Croatian athletes and sports collectives, while ten projects relate to sporting events.

Among the sports events that have cooperated through the "Sport Croatia" program for 2020 are the CRO Race, Downhill Mali Losinj and Mitas 4 Islands cycling races, WTA Croatia Bol Open tennis tournament, extreme sports competition Pannonian Challenge, gymnastics world cup Good World Cup, European Club Taekwondo Championship, Lipik 3x3 Challenger Basketball Tournament, Judo Grand Prix Zagreb Tournament and Davis Cup Qualifications.

Cooperation was also made with athletes and sports collectives, including Croatian Basketball Federation, Croatian Water Polo Federation, Croatian Judo National Team, Croatian Volleyball Federation, Croatian Swimming Association, rowers Valent and Martin Sinkovic, Ivica Kostelic for sailing, long-distance swimmer Dina Levacic, world surfing champion Enrico Marotti, tennis player Donna Vekic, athlete Sandra Perkovic and sailors Elena Vorobeva, Tonci Stipanovic and Sime and Mihovil Fantela.

Let's add that the organizers of the multi-day top sports international competitions who, with their international recognition and reputation, can contribute to the promotion of tourism, as well as top Croatian athletes, winners of awards at European, world and Olympic competitions, or competitors at significant international sports competitions.

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