Here are the results for Aug 29-30…
SPECIAL THANKS GOES OUT TO LOYAL AND EXPRESSIVE PRVA GENERACIJA MEMBER, dinamofan:), WHO IS NOW CSR’S NEWEST ADDITION AS AN HNL CORRESPONDENT. HIS VAST KNOWLEDGE OF THE CROATIAN PRVA LIGA SHOULD NOT GO UNREWARDED; SO WE WELCOME HIM TO THE TEAM!
Dinamo Zagreb [6 – 0] Slaven Belupo
Dinamo Zagreb bounced back from their midweek calamity at Hearts with a 6-0 thrashing of Slaven Belupo on the nationally televised Sunday match. Dinamo made changes to the line up with Carlos and Sammir both being dropped to the bench and new signing Leandro Cufre and Ilija Sivonjić taking their place. Ivan Tomečak also came in for the injured Igor Biščan. Dinamo took control of the match in the opening minutes when Tomislav Barbarić scored his first senior goal from a Morales corner. Morales quickly followed up with a second when he scored a penalty after Sivonjić was hacked down in the penalty area. Morales was again in on the act setting up Mario Mandžukić to fire home his sixth league goal of the season. In the second half Dinamo made changes, but the Morales show continued with his second of the game from the penalty spot and then set about laying on a goal for Milan Badelj as the Chilean international star succeded in having a hand in all six goals.
This was a fine return to form who look set to abandon Carlos and Denis Glavina in favor of experienced Argentine defender Cufre who will greatly improve the defence at left back. Robert Kovač and Etto should also return to the team shortly. Robert Kovač watched the game along with Croatian representative’s Ivan Rakitić, Darijo Srna, Vedran Ćorluka and Eduardo. Regards Belupo, none of their new signings Kruno Jambrušić, Igor Gal or Drago Papa played, who were already badly hit by injuries to Kristjan Caval and star man Bojan Vručina. Vručina is out till the winter.
Hajduk Split [1 – 0] Lokomotiva Zagreb
FINALLY SOME RELIEF FOR HAJDUK
Hajduk Split finally squeaked out their first win of the season against Lokomotiva Zagreb. In truth, Hajduk dominated the match with Ahmad and Anas Sharbini central to the sides in their best moments. Senijad Ibričić was the matchwinner scoring the games only goal to kick start Hajduk’s season. Lokomotiva fielded Dinamo Zagreb prospect Domogoj Antolić in the second half who has joined the club on loan. Krešo Ljubičić was also given his first outing for Hajduk which has been long over due. Hajduk completed the signing of Croatia Under 21 youngster Duje Čop earlier in the week.
Karlovac [1 – 0] Inter
KARLOVAC WIN IN THE RAIN
Igor Pamić’s Karlovac side continue to have their fun with the rest of HNL after knocking Dinamo off the top of HNL1 (for the mean time) on Saturday with a 1-0 win over Zaprešić. Despite the best efforts of 17 year old prospect Metaj Delac, Karlovac finally broke through thanks to substitute Matija Stefancic.
Cibalia [4 – 0] Varteks
Cibalia are emerging as a real force in the HNL this season hammering Varteks on Saturday 4-0. Tomislav Pavlivić scored twice in the first half to give Stanko Mršić’s side a comfortable lead with Dino Kresinger and Josip Milardović getting in on the act in the second half. The win takes Cibalia into third place.
Šibenik [1 – 0] Rijeka
Rijeka chose not to field their new signing Radomir Djalović, Nastja Čeh and Miroslav Karoglan and were defeated by Mehmed Alispahic’s second half strike. Šibenik regularly threatened through star striker Ermin Zec who now looks set to stay with the team as the club did not recieve satisfactory compensation for his services. Rijeka will hope to field their new signings in the next round of matches. They also are still hoping to signing Moroccan player Lakhal.
Međimurje [3 – 0] Zadar
Međimurje took advantage of playing on home territory with an excellant 3-0 win over Zadar in rainy conditions. Mario Cutuk’s side were in the driving seat in the first 5 minutes with early strikes from Brazilian Eliomar and Bojan Golubović. Cutuk sent on experienced striker Marijan Vuka to seal the victory in the 83rd for a fantastic nights work. Međimurje fielded their new signing Nikola Melnjak who they signed on a free transfer from Varteks.
Croatia Sesvete [1 – 2] NK Osijek
Osijek left their latest match with great relief after two goals from Ivan Miličević lifted them into mid table following a 2-1 win over Croatian crisis club Seveste. Mario Cizmek’s goal for the home side failed to impact on the game in a difficult week for the club. Sesvete released their goalkeeper Mario Šimić earlier in the week with accusations surrounding game fixing which is now under investigation.
Istra 1961 [2 – 1] NK Zagreb
Pula continue to impress with a excellant win over troubled NK Zagreb. Asim Šehić opened the scoring from the penalty spot, before Davor Vugrinec scored his first of the season to equalize. Šehić however was Pula’s matchwinner in the second half. This was the ex-Belupo’s stars fourth goal in only five matches.
Next Matches: Round 7
Saturday, September 12th
Croatia Sesvete at Zadar
Međimurje at Slaven Belupo
Istra at Osijek
Cibalia at NK Zagreb
Šibenik at Lokomotiva
Hajduk at Varteks
Dinamo at Inter
Karlovac at Rijeka
They'd want to move him as with most Croat teams to cash in. Everyone knows about directors on boards so we don't need to discuss that further. Hajduk are trying to do a Dinamo. They will bring in £10m plus in income and prob not put much back in team. But i guess as long as its there it prolongs the clubs financial future and means they can spend £1m here and there a season, which is all you really need to spend in HNL.
For footballing reason they'd want to move Ibricic so they can change the formation and sign a striker. Although Ibricic has proven all he needs to prove in HNL, he is a Modric type character who just seems concerned with playing football. No word has passed so far about Ibricic wanting to go anywhere. He even said he'd change his position so the team could play a second striker. We'll have to see if he transfer before 5pm.
No question Dinamofan, you're a walking encyclopedia on all matters surrounding Croatian soccer.
Hey, here's a question for you: is it true Hajduk's trying to move Ibricic? If so, why would they want to do this, as he seems like the heart and soul of the team, no?
Thanks – its good to have this opportunity. Have kinda been getting on good with Ante away from site and is great he and Denis offered me the chance. Hopefully it'll shorten down my comments lol as i can put that info in the reports. Anyone that has any ideas for types of things they'd like to know more about from in HNL1 as long as its not mafia related, i'd be happy to accomodate best i can.. Will also stear clear of the Mamic V Media waffle that seems to take up most Croatian sports news sites time and will stick to football matters. Will keep Dinamo jubilance to a minimum and also give as much info as poss on all the other sides in HNL. This year apart from Croatia Seveste and Dinamo, its pretty much a lottery as to who finishes where.
Props to CSR to getting @dinamofan on board. I've always felt that I have a deep knowledge about what's going on in Croatian soccer but I've never run into anyone with a Croatian soccer library in their head like @dinamofan. The only thing I have against him is that he's a Dinamo fan haha..I've been visiting this site for the past month or two and I'm really enjoying it. This site continues to impress me and I look forward to people's thoughts as Croatia qualifies for the WC. I'll leave you with one of my favorite Croatian soccer commercials http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oESUiEx5Hc It always makes me laugh 🙂
@Dinamofan
Great stuff man! You know the HNL like I know the Lakers.
Great summaries and analysis. Welcome to the team.
DinamoFan, well done.
Welcome to the team dinamofan:)!!!