Here are the results for Aug 21-23…
NK Rijeka [2 – 0] Hajduk Split
EVEN THE SHARBINI BROTHERS CAN’T SAVE HAJDUK
The Sharbini brothers lose their homecoming game in Rijeka and debut match with Hajduk 2-0 as the ‘Bili’ give up two silly penalty kicks. When is this Hajduk side going to show some strength and decide to turn their season around? They just signed a new coach and arguably two of the better HNL players in Anas and Ahmad Sharbini. What’s the problem?
Earlier in the week, both Sharbini brothers were attacked by Armada members (Rijeka’s supporters group). Ahmad was punched in the back of the head but was ok to play on Sunday. It’s a shame how fans treat players in Croatia. I know this is just a few bad apples, but still. I can only pray that the Armada aren’t trying to compete with Torcida and BBB.
In other sad news, a man is now battling for his life as Torcida and BBB members fought on Sunday. As Torcida was driving south to Split from Rijeka and BBB were driving north from Zadar back to Zagreb after their respected teams games, the two sides met like a perfect storm on the highway. Nogometni-Magazin.com has the full story in Croatian. What an absolute shame. Thanks to Michael for the news.
NK Zadar [0 – 0] Dinamo Zagreb
NK Zadar put a stop to Dinamo’s perfect season Sunday night with a 0-0 draw in Zadar. Hopefully this will slow down Dinamo a bit so some other teams can catch up to them early in the season and it’s not a runaway title for them. I would like to see another campaign like last year- minus Hajduk falling apart of course, because they’re already managing to do that now in the first five games of the season.
Inter Zaprešić [0 – 1] HNK Šibenik
Croatia Sesvete [2 – 2] NK Istra 1961
NK Lokomotiva [2 – 0] Cibalia
NK Osijek [3 – 1] Međimurje
Slaven Belupo [1 – 3] Karlovac
Varteks [1 – 0] NK Zagreb
Next Matches: Round 6
Saturday, August 29th
Osijek at Croatia Sesvete
Varteks at Cibalia
Lokomotiva at Hajduk
Rijeka at Šibenik
NK Zagreb at Istra
Inter at Karlovac
Zadar at Međimurje
Sunday, August 30th
Slaven Belupo at Dinamo Zagreb
I know its only half time but that first half display by Dinamo was irritating. Theres players that don't want to be there tonight.
In my opinion these matches are good as it shows who we need to play who we should ditch. Basically i think Dinamo's patience has got to run out with Sammir soon. This guy is a pain in the ass. He shows no ambition or desire to improve. He just wants it easy. As soon as Ibanez comes back i say we swap him with Sammir and bench Sammir. Sammir needs to learn that we can't put up with any more of this rubbish.
Lovren actually is also in danger of losing his place. He is a player of potential but our defence seems to decend into caos whenever he plays.
Our best back line actually looks like Etto, Biscan, Kovac and Cufre. Sooner Cufre comes in the better. Arggh come on Dinamo stop this madness.
Dario Jertec has joined Marijan Buljat back in the plans on Hajduks coach Reja.
I find this story hilarious. Buljat and Jertec are clearly decent players. Its emerged all they did wrong was refuse to sign new contracts containing lower payer and refused to agree to scrap their original contracts with higher pay. So Hajduk banned them from the team. In respect of Buljat i think they lost out through banning him as they have lost his attacking threat and energy down the right hand side. Jurica Buljat, Oremus and Goran Rubil have made a pathetic attempt to replace him. I think Buljat and Jertec will improve Hajduk. The team is too left sided at the moment. They desperately need right sided defenders and midfielders and these two were part of their side last year. I don't particularly see Jertec making an impression, but Marijan Buljat is a first selection in team every week in my opinion. The guys already had Eduardo breaking his leg at Dinamo in training, could do without dealing with more crap from Hajduk as well. Best thing for him to do will be to play a good season then transfer to Austria or strong Bundesliga 2 game. Seems like another player with little to prove in HNL just like Ahmad Sharbini, Mandzo and Ibricic.
Ex Slovenian international midfielder Nastja Ceh and Radomir Dalovic arriving at Rijeka. Should give them the boost they need. Hope Lovrek turns up at Zagreb as they need a boost.
Belupo lost Vrucina till Winter break. Have signed three experienced HNL players Jambrusic, Gal and Papa so hopefully that'll get them moving.
you should wa5tch zvezda and partizan fans go at it…they have nothing on the bbb and Torcida
@Michael
Great to have you aboard. Good stuff. Have you joined us on EPL fantasy league?
The BBB-Torcida news was upsetting not because of what happened but how it can happen, year after year after year. I remember posting this last year when the two sides met on a stop halfway between Split and Zagreb. The sad part is, no one seems to care.
Correct me if I am wrong, but we are the only side that fights amongst themselves during an international match.
I was part of a fan bus that took us from Zagreb to Vienna EURO 2008. While most of us were partying and having a great time, a few people started singing Dinamo songs, countered by Hajduk songs, almost leading to a fight. Luckily, the others separated the two groups moved them on opposite sides of the bus.
"Just hopefully that one guy comes out of this alive. "
well said
Dom
Great to have you aboard. You're welcome to join us on EPL FREE fantasy league.
You mean "stickball"… sadly, this is what baseball bats are used for in Croatia.
This is exactly what BBB would have done to Kranjcar had they gotten ahold of him.
Far from condoning it, this is a sad state of affairs in our league. I mean, yes they left to your rival club, but had they not left, you would not have a club to cheer for to begin with.
As for the Torcida/BBB…………not much else can be said. Just hopefully that one guy comes out of this alive. Oct.31.09 is going to be an explosive match (with little play)
For a sport that's not at all popular in Croatia, there are too many baseball bats – being used – outside sport courts.
How long will it be until the responsible ones put a stop on this?
Well done to Zadar. Its great someone finally stood up to us and didn't role over. I actually think now we've finished with playing the worser sides, the Cibalia's, Sibernik's, Rijeka's etc will be stiffer tests.
As for Hajduk both those penalties we're needless. Matko is not a very good player and there was no need to bring him down cos he was going nowhere. Fernandez is ideal replacement for Anas. This was the best time to play Rijeka as they have no strikers. This is just there makeshift side whilst they complete their new signings this week. They'd be really happy to have 3 points during this spell where they lost their best players.
I think Hajduk need to firstly decide on a settled team as they change it each week, but also might be time to go with two up front. Even if it means selling Ibricic this week. Looking at the line up however, you'd expect them to have won.
HRT2 only broadcasts 1 game a week (The Derby Match).
Some sad stories on the weekend, showing the state of affairs in Croatia.
1) Both Sharbini's were attacked in Opatija, apparently by Armada members. Ahmad suffering the worst of it, but obviously not enough to take them away from the match.
2) BBB and Torcida at it again…….one guy now fighting for his life.
http://www.nogometni-magazin.com/newspro/coranto/viewnews.cgi?id=EkVEpyuuyyJkRdpmtv&tmpl=coranto_hrv_news
anyone have a link for the dinamo game?