Dinamo Zagreb [6-0] Cibalia Vinkovci
HNK Šibenik [1-0] NK Zadar
Inter Zaprešić [3-2] Croatia Sesvete
NK Osijek [2-1] Varteks Varaždin
Slaven Belupo [2-0] NK Zagreb
NK Rijeka [3-1] Hajduk Split
Questions and Comments…
Mario Mandžukić had a hat trick for Dinamo as they bounced back with a nice win after the loss earlier in the week to Shakhtar Donetsk in Champion’s League. The loss was Dinamo’s first since Varteks defeated them on February 23rd.
Croatia Sesvete do not appear to be this year’s ‘bottom of the barrel’ club as Međimurje was last year; who they replaced. This week Sesvete only lost by 1 goal again.
What is going on with Hajduk?!…It’s their second loss in a row as they were caught up in a very physical and sloppy match with Rijeka. 9 yellows were given out in the game as well as 2 red cards, Sharbini (Rijeka) in the 67′ for his second bookable offense and Buljat (Hajduk) in the 90′ received a straight red. I know Hajduk is pumped about their UEFA Cup situation, but they can’t lose their sights on the Prva Liga. Hajduk now sits 10th in the table with 4 points in as many games. I know it’s still early, but Dinamo becomes an uncatchable juggernaut in the Prva Liga once they get going.
What do you guys think?
It sounds like we’re all on the same page about Hajduk saving energy for UEFA Cup. If that’s the case, it’s not so smart. Let’s say they do invest everything they got into UEFA. Let’s say they do get past Deportivo. They will still have a tough first round game just as Dinamo had last year vs. Ajax. Hajduk might get past Deportivo but that’s all I can see. Dinamo is already running away with the HNL. They won 6-0 yesterday. What a joke. Hajduk needs to try to win everything they have a chance at. They are playing for next year’s UEFA Cup and Champion’s League spots. So I don’t see what they’re ultimate plan is. Dinamo is the dominant Croatian team. I can see them not losing a game this year. On the other hand, we’re only 4 games deep. It’s a long season. But for Croatian football to be what it’s made out to be; the Hajduk-Dinamo rivalry needs to be renewed and competitve. If Dinamo carries on with this dominance for another couple of seasons, we’ll soon be seeing an entire decade of dominance from Dinamo, and that’s something the league cannot have unless Dinamo can actually do some damage in Champion’s League.
I mean, come on, you know something is wrong when Slaven Belupo is in second(!!!!) place.
Another season, another Dinamo championship.
At this point I don’t even think the “derby” will be worth it. By derby, I mean ANOTHER Dinamo victory.
So sad.
Ante, I can see your point. I have a feeling that as long as Hajduk is in the UEFA Cup running, the majority of their focus will be invested on getting far in Europe as opposed to crawling back up the HNL ladder. Hajduks progression in the the UEFA Cup seems to be adding to Dinamos’ advantage in once again in dominating the HNL.
Obviously it’s a great thing that Hajduk is still alive and very much has a chance of making it to the next phase of the tournament. However, given the weakness of Hajduk in comparison to the teams waiting in the wings should they dispose of Deportivo, is it really worth it for them to kill themselves to move on in this tournament while at the same time lose ground on a possible spot in Europe for next year as they fall down the HNL ladder?
Luka, I agree with you 100% with “as soon as a player has international value he is sold.” However, where does this money end up? Besides Dinamo, no other Croatian team is investing in foreign players.
Why not turn Dinamo and Hajduk into Ajax. Ajax is known for their football schools and development of young players.
Also, as far as Americans…
For the most part, Americans will show up if their team is winning. There is some talent in the US. If you look at the US national team roster, besides Landon Donovan, everyone plays in Europe.
The premiership has been snapping players from the MLS regularly for the last three or four years. Americans don’t just produce goalkeepers..
Also, you can’t compare US with Croatia, because of obvious population and $$$$ differences.
Here’s an interesting fact:
Soccer in the US is more or less the 10th most popular sport. Most people in the US could care less if the Americans win the world cup.
Soccer in Croatia is life. “Zovi samo zovi, svi ce sokolovi, za te zivot dati” The league is going down the drain because of the heavyweights that run the teams and the league.
Luka, good to have you aboard, looking forward to your great knowledge and insight of the game. Stick with us pal.
obviously the mls has a stronger attendance when many american cities have a population greater than all of hrvatska, and you can’t expect to have a good league when as soon as a player has international value he is sold, no body wants to go to games to watch a bunch of 18 year olds and garbage players play
Hajduk will be back. Right now they are focused on UEFA cup. Also, Rijeka had an excellent home record last season.
My concern is this:
We are in the fourth week of the HNL and no one gives a damn including myself.
After watching highlights of the HNL last weekend in Croatia, I realized that the MLS is stronger and has a larger audience not only at home but around the world as well.
As much as I love hajduk and Croatian football, I am sorry to say this, but our league is going down the drain.