Written by dinamofan:), CSR HNL correspondent
Here are the results for Sep 25-27…
Cibalia Vinkovci [0 – 0 ] Hajduk Split
Tonight’s televized match was being pitched as a test of how far Hajduk have progressed under Edy Reja as they faced in form Cibalia in Vinkovci. A straight red card however for Josip Skoko for elbowing Tomislav Mazalović in the 22nd minute rendered Hajduk harmless for much of the game as the side are currently without a recognized striker due to Ahmad Sharbini’s injury. With Marijan Buljat, Krešo Ljubijić and Mario Tičinović entering the game as subs Reja appeared happy to take a point back to Split.
If anything can be learned from tonightćs game it’s that Hajduk possess a squad which is top heavy on defenders and especially midfield players, but lacks quality forwards. Duje Ćop, Paraiba and Ante Vukusić who are all in the early stages of their careers don’t have 5 goals between them in a Hajduk shirt. Ivan Rodić, a 23 year old forward signed from Šibenik has also failed to meet expectations and would like to move on. It looks therefore that both Dinamo and Hajduk will begin their bidding war for Rodić’s former striker partner Ermin Zec in the not too distant future.
NK Lokomotiva [0 – 1] Dinamo Zagreb
Dinamo put in an uncertain performance going into their key Europa Liga tie with Timosoara, as their reserves based in Lokomotiva fought them hard in Zagreb. Dinamo didn’t break down the newly promoted side until the last minute of the first half when Mario Mandžukić headed home Pedro Morales’s freekick. Dinamo were at full strength exempting defender Igor Biščan who is expected to be out for two months following an operation to his stomach wall. Mandžukić and the out of sorts Papadopoulos led the attack with Ilija Sivonjić on the right wing. Filip Loncarić defended the goal for a second successive match as Tomislav Butina dropped to the bench.
Slaven Belupo [5 – 2] NK Osijek
This was the match of the day as in form Osijek travelled to a strong Slaven Belupo side smarting from disappointing early season results and injuries to key players. With Mario Jurić now on the injury list with Bojan Vručina, Belupo coach Zlatko Dalić had only one fit forward. In response to the crisis, the ex-Varteks coach played two attacking midfielders: Vojnović and Posavec behind lone striker Matias Delić and in return all three scored to take a 3-0 halftime lead. Josip Knežević pulled a goal back but Tepulić got another for Belupo. Osijek continued to rally with Hrnčević grabbing their second, but it was Belupo’s day who rounded off with a fifth in the last minute through Alen Maras.
Varteks Varaždin [0 – 1] Karlovac
Karlovac had Niko Tokić to thank for their excellant away win over Varteks in Varaždin. The 21 year old put in a man of the match performance after coming on as a substitute and grabbed a last gasp winner to take all three points for Karlovac. Although Croatia’s big sides such as Rijeka, Slaven Belupo, Hajduk and Šibenik have closed them down, Karlovac are now onto 18 points from 9 games played and sit in second place. Coach Igor Pamić will stay realistic about their aim and will be aware the side have now stretched nine points clear of the relegation zone giving them a bit of breathing space. Meantime Varteks will be disappointed in this result as they struggle to break into the top half. On a positive note Matija Smrekar came on to make his first league appearence of the season following a spell of injuries.
NK Zadar [1 – 1] NK Istra 1961
NK Zadar and Istra shared a point a piece after their match in North Dalmacija. Asim Sehić was once again on the scoresheet for Istra with his seventh goal in eight games. The Bosnian forward who has played successfully for Slaven Belupo and Neuchatel in Switzerland is likely to be much wanted after in the January transfer window. Franko Bilaver however was on hand to ensure Zadar didn’t go home empty handed with a second half equaliser.
NK Rijeka [4 – 0] Međimurje
This was an excellant win for Rijeka over in form Međimurje. Coach Zoran Vulić will be extremely pleased with his side who gave him an easy first game in charge at the club. There were two goals a piece for forward Matija Matko and Spanish creative midfielder Ramon Fernandez. Vulić was also pleased to hear that his first assistant Daniel Sarić has arrived to join his coaching staff. Daniel Sarić is a former player of Rijeka, who went on to star for Dinamo Zagreb and then played two seasons with Sporting Gijon and three seasons at Greek giant Panathanaikos. He also played over 30 matches with the Croatian national team. Vulić would also like Saša Person, 44, to join him at the club who was also an ex-player of Rijeka and Hajduk Split.
NK Zagreb [0 – 2] HNK Šibenik
Šibenik are the latest HNL1 side to step up their league performance with their fourth win in five games. A big part of their improvement has been the return to form of Ermin Zec, who scored both goals to take his tally to 5 for the season. Zec started the season understandably unsettled by a huge amount of interest from bigger clubs in his signature. However since Šibenik refused to sanction his transfer, Zec has worked hard and is showing he is far from a one season wander. For Zagreb meanwhile the misery continues. Coach Igor Štimac will hope Krunoslav Lovrek’s registration arrives from Turkey sooner rather than later as his current forwards seem incapable of raising their game. Štimac succeded in tieing up the signing of Brazilian left back Jefthon from Russian Champions Rubin Kazan on a two year deal on Friday. However, NK Zagreb are only likely to afford one or two more additions to their roster before they reach their financial limit.
Inter Zaprešić [1 – 2] Croatia Sesvete
Croatia Sesvete recorded a much need away victory against relegation rivals Inter Zaprečić. Milenko Bosnjak gave Sesvete the perfect start with a goal on four minutes. Key signing Vedran Celiscak made it two in the second half, with Bernard Gulić pulling back a consolation goal for Zaprešić. Sesvete appear to be benefiting from the appointment of coach Nenad Gracan who has helped the side collect four points in their last two games. Zaprešić meantime are on a poor run of defeats with striker Dodo now failing to register a goal in 9 matches. Reports from the club also suggest that highly rated goalkeeper Matej Delač may have to take a break as he could be suffering from the severe disease Monocleosis. This disease has also hampered the career of one of Croatia’s best tennis players Mario Ančić. Delač was not fit to play the match against Sesvete.
Next Matches: Round 10
Saturday, October 3rd
Rijeka at Croatia Sesvete
Slaven Belupo at NK Zadar
Lokomotiva at Međimurje
NK Zagreb at Karlovac
Cibalia at Šibenik
Hajduk at Istra 1961
Inter at Osijek
Sunday, October 4th
Varteks at Dinamo
CROATIA’S FORGOTTEN MEN
GORAN LJUBOJEVIC
The 6ft 3 frontman born in Osijek is currently looking for a new club, after terminating his contract with Racing Genk. Ljubojevic, who is still only 26 years old has suffered serious knee damage at the start of the 2007/08 season. Unlike Eduardo who recieved top standard medical care, Ljubojevic’s operation to fix his anterior cruciate ligament and cartlidge proved unsuccessful. Despite being allowed to return to training Ljubojevic was unconvinced about the state of his knee and sort further advice abroad, which confirmed to him that mistakes were made in his treatment.
Despite firing 12 goals in 38 games for the club before his injury and becoming a fans favorite, Genk wanted shot of the player. Ljubojevic agreed therefore to terminate his deal, having already spent time of Belgian social security as a consequence of being injured for such a long time.
Now Ljubojevic is back in Croatia, training with NK Osijek. Despite interest from Germinal Beerscot, the player remains unattached. As Ljubo is still based with a Belgian agent it appears he’d prefer a return to the Juperliga. Ljubojevic says he understands the delicate position of Osijek whilst he is training with the club who cannot recruit him due to having five strikers already on the books including first choice Karlo Primorac and Ivo Milicevic. Although Igor Stimac is also fishing for free agents, its unlikely Zagreb can also afford to add Ljubojevic to their playing staff as they are unable to cut their playing staff at this stage of season to cope with the final consequence. This is less the case for HNK Rijeka and particularly Slaven Belupo, who have just one fit forward with aging Mario Juric and wantaway Bojan Vrucina out till nearly Christmas. It will just be good to see Ljubo back in action, who has succeded in being adored by the fans of all of his former clubs so far.
MLADEN PELAIC
Pelaic is a player with whom Hajduk Split fans have sympathy. Although the 26 year old central defender who they bought from Standard Liege is on Hajduk’s roster nobody is yet sure if he will return to full fitness. Pelaic was defending Hajduk’s colours in a game in April 2008 when Mario Andricevic of Cibalia snapped his leg in a wreckless challenge. Although Pelaic remained upbeat willing to use Eduardo as his example, he managed to break the same leg a second time during his return to fitness in November. Although Pelaic said he felt he would still return to the pitch he has not appeared nearly a year on from his second injury.
Pelaic, is a player who it was hoped would be pushing for a place in Croatia’s squad by now, helping to cater for the short fall in international class defenders. Pelaic had been a regular in Hajduk’s team playing 17 times since arriving in January 2007. At present news still does not look good for Peliac, but their is still hope for a positive outcome to his situation.
HRVOJE VUKOVIC
Vukovic, is one of the many free agents who is yet to acquire a new club following his release from second division German club Alemannia Aachen. The 30 year old defender played around 100 matches for Hajduk, before moving on to Wacker Burghasen. 60 matches in the lower German divisions helped him transfer to Alemmania Aachen. Vukovic has been more well known in Croatia for his attempts to reclaim unpaid money from Hajduk, but says he is unlikely to return back to Split for a while due to ill feeling towards him for criticising the heirachy at the Poljud.
ZVONIMIR DERANJA
The 30 year old ex Hajduk Split player has been guilty of some spectacular under achievement having been regarded as the new Alen Boksic during his early career at the Poljud. With a strike rate of 52 in 129 game at Hajduk and 9 in 17 for the Croatia Under 21 side, it appeared Deranja would be set up for a successful career. However 5 years after leaving Hajduk Split the player has not played once with Croatia and wasted some of his best years languishing in the second division with FC Libourne. Despite scoring 19 in 44 at that level many Hajduk fans would shake their heads at seeing Deranja turning out for a French second division club. In 2007 Excelsior Mouscron recruited the player, but they’ve barely seen a fully fit Deranja who bagged one goal in 9 sub appearences during his two seasons so far. Serbian coach Miroslav Djukic threw the player a lifeline this summer by renewing his contract. Deranja has this season to resalvage a strange career and appeared for last 6 minutes of Mouscron’s match with Anderlecht on Wednesday.
DANIEL BILOS
Daniel Bilos is the subject of long time flirtation with the Croatian FA, which ended in 2006 when he turned out for Argentina in a friendly with Brazil. Bilos went on to play two more times for Argentina, including scoring in 2-1 defeat to Spain. However Bilos, who would have qualified to play for Croatia through parentage is far from international level in the current day. A series of injuries have left the player as an inactive member of Banfields squad. The midfielder made his name with the club scoring 15 in 94 games between 2000 and 2005. A season later he played successfully with Boca Juniors earning him a transfer to French side St Etienne. It was here the rot set in as St Etienne did everything they could to offload the player after fielding him only 14 times. Various loans were arranged with Argentine sides, before Banfield finally rescued their ex star last month.
~Dinamofan, reporting the United Kingdom
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Hrvasplican – i think if you was wandering about my article the other week. Basically i was giving readers the atmosphere within Dinamo following the defeat. We are a fortnight down the line now and what i said has happened. Dinamo we're not happy that night to lose to Anderlecht after and they dropped Butina and replaced him with Loncaric, then they dropped Sammir and also they have now dropped Papadopoulos. To me this is good cos it shows that Dinamo identify what is wrong in the team. Personally i think Jurcic is doing a great job. He can only work with what Mamic gives him. However he identifies what is crap about Dinamo. He noticed Glavina is no left back so he asked for Cufre. He noticed Sammir wasn't playing so he tried Sivonjic, but now we also see Sivonjic is no winger and is playing better than Papa so he's gonna try him out up front. He also noticed Badelj is too lightweight for central midfield in Europe so we he's playing out wide tonight. It could be the making off him.
Also he has dropped Butina which is a move that is right and proper. However despite that i agree with these changes, we have no central killer goalscorer and our central mid is okay, but not great so i'm still not sure we will create damage in Europe. If Mamic can get these underperforming players like Slepicka, Papadopoulos (if he don't improve) and Sammir to leave in winter then he'd have done well. Glavina, Kovac and Butina are already gonna leave at end of season. We have to learn to buy better players. I also want to see what Glavina is like on left wing before he leaves Dinamo.
…..
@Dinamofan
First and foremost, great post once again. You and I have had our issues in the past regarding the HNL and Croatian football in general, however, you without a doubt have the most knowledge of HNL football on this board. More importantly, every single member of the prva generacija agrees and enjoys reading your weekly summary.
As far as I'm concerned, you could be on some remote island off the coast of Namibia reporting on Croatian football. Race, religion, skin color, and ethnic background are of no concern for me on this site. Also, as a Hajduk supporter, it doesn't upset me that you are a Dinamo fan, even though Dinamo Zagreb is unknown in England.
Keep up the good work, and feel free to add as many features to your post as you wish.
Also, your availability, jobs, careers, lifestyle, shouldn't be a deciding factor as far as quality of comments or posts. Bottom line is that you come through when it counts. I was up until 3:30am last night to finish up Croatians Around Europe and woke up for work at 7am. There is no need for me to share this or come up with excuses if we are late on a post.
I guess what I am trying to say is, that you dont need to explain yourself and bring up your personal life. Thats why it is called "personal life."
"Tell inquiring minds to mind his own business."
Without a doubt the line of the week. Good stuff. Don't be afraid to "plead the fifth" You have the right to remain silent…haha
@Pintar
I am glad that you enjoy Croatian Around Europe. A question for you: What is it that you enjoy the most? Is there anything you would change?
@HvarSplican
"I can't be on the site everyday and defend myself against the goons….I have a life. I go to the university fulltime, I work fulltime, I party fulltime."
This is really irrelevant to your argument. The key word here is "can't". Yes, you can my friend, but you chose not too. Also, I would argue that most of us on here have a life, and a full time schedule as well. What about people with children and those that support a family?
Ibrahimovic
I remember a while back Ibra was interviewed after a Sweden game. Someone kept bringing up Bosna, the Balkans, identity, race, etc… and Zlatan gave the same answer, "I am Swedish" that was that..
Croatians Around Europe continues to be my favorite regular post on CSR, and I agree with the other posters that your contributions are very welcome, dinamofan:).
I also find it interesting that these threads so often go to the issue of identity. It's a tricky business and not always as simple as ethnicity or even personal preferences.
Anyway, keep up the good work.
this was sweet!
Re; behind on soon often.
At present i'm trying to find a job intertwined with my uni course which considering the mass employment in England is not proving easy. Meantime i house build with dad whilst my tenants that pay me rent keep me from stressing whilst i wait for my full time job. Whether i will continue to write so much when i get work who knows. At present CSR fits in with my writing and journalistic ambitions, so happy to contribute to it, but i have major house building work going on too.
@ Ante BBB
Hey Ante, I have a question for you. How come you never complained about my articles being poorly written when I was doing articles for Croatians around Europe?
Do you want a cookie for being part of the Prva Generacija? Just because I never used to comment on the site earlier, doesn't make me inferior to yourself. You think you're the superstar because you started commenting a year ago. Well, guess what, ur not.
I can't be on the site everyday and defend myself against the goons ( I only say that Dinamo Fan cuz you say you're an Arsene Wenger supporter haha) I have a life. I go to the university fulltime, I work fulltime, I party fulltime. I want to contribute to this site, and debate with you guys, life's boring if everyone agreed with one another. I think Kranjcar is a good guy and I hope for the best. I have his picture with his teammates on my wall for crying out loud! I want the guy to do well, he's my countrymate. I was just stating an opinion.
@ Dinamo Fan
I have no problem with you whatsoever. As long as you continue to argue your points logically, we can agree to disagree. You're entitled to your opinion and I'm entitled to mine. Continued good work on reporting for the 1. HNL and the new features you have on there. Excellent work.
I think Reja could argue the same thing as what Redknapp did at Spurs. The club don't appear to be signing players for particular positions. They just seem to be buying players slightly aimlessly. I think even last season Hajduk fans on here was arguing for two up front. Ibricic and Anas will try their best to be strikers, but fact is that they are attack midfielders. We all know of the HNL1 striker that is hot property at present and that's Ermin Zec. I think both Dinamo and Hajduk will be after him. I think Senijad Ibricic is unlikely to still be with Hajduk in the winter. I think he is still there cos of him as a person not being the complaining type, but Hajduk probably would have been happier if their transfer income came from Ibricic rather than selling Kalinic and Gabric cos Ibricic messes up the formation a little bit accomodating him and Sharbini stops them playing two goalscorers. In my opinion that's what Hajduk fans want to see. Also look back now was their really any point in Kalinic wanting to move. It seems staying in Hajduk would have benefited him more than going off to Blacburn. At present they are playing one up front, with Diouff in behind. He has Roberts, Di Santo and McCarthy ahead of him so really its not a good move for him.
Re: Ivica
What me and Ante do is. I send him the Sunday report on the evening and he puts it up when he logs in to where i send it so there's sometimes a slight time delay in it going up. Also Ante goes to bed when i'm normally awake cos of time difference in England and L.A so sometimes might be a delay in the last match going up.
I think Hajduk fans would argue they should be beating Cibalia with ten man if they we're firing on all cylinders. To Dinamo and Hajduk normally going down to ten men in HNL1 is not the end of the world. It was a personal opinion based on some facts which i presented regards Cop, Vukusic and Paraiba and about where Anas and Ibricic are playing at the moment, but my view is Hajduk couldn't win that match due to a lack of experienced goalscorers in their squad at present. I don't know if Hajduk fans agree with that viewpoint or not? Basically at present there one proven scorer Ahmad is injured at present. Last night demonstrated that Reja doesn't really trust his other strikers to win a match for him.
Ibrahimovic isn't Swedish though cos he's got no Swedish parentage. As well as being born in England, i have an English mother so i can say that i am English, but Ibrahimovic can't claim to be Swedish when he has is Bosnian Croat blood. Its understandable that he doesn't know Croatia or Bosnia so he doesn't feel it although he can speak fluent Bosnian apparently and played in some Swedish youth team called FK Balkan. To me Ibrahimovic fits into the Eduardo, Branko Strupar category. Personally if he had a choice and he was Bosnian Croat blood then why choose Sweden cos they don't even suit his style of play. I think the guys wasted at international level playing with them.
Ibrahimovic does not recognize his father and never had any interest to play for Croatia. He never discusses his background, he prefers to say he is swedish and when pressed about his parents, he responds that he is a balkan.
@Dinamofan:)
I do believe Ibrahimovic's father Šefik is a Bosnian muslim while his mother Jurka has roots in Zadar, a port city on Croatia's Dalmatian coast.
Also to add to your report, Hajduk drew Cibalia 0-0 while playing with 10 men for 70 minutes after Josip Skoko received a red card.
'my peices are interesting' hehe hold that thought, cos i not yet seen if Hajduk fans will agree with my analysis of what their problems are. Although i think Radman probably already knows from the sounds of what he said about Kalinic's position he was playing last season.
Also i noticed some people recently saying the Afro Carribean players of England and France shouldn't be in their team, but seriously can you imagine how bad England and France would be without them. They'd lose all their athleticism. I think Croatia would totally whip England if they had no afro-carribeans players. Definitely 2-0 comfortably. England would be like a Scandanavian side is interestingly cos thats partly where there identity is from. At least Pranjic and Pokrivac would be like brilliant thank god for that if England had no afro carribeans rather than have speedy gonzalez flying down the right wing. If anyones wondering speedy gonzalez was a cartoon about a mouse with lots of speed. Similar to Aaron Lennon and Theo Walcott.
Also i just noticed recently Zlatan Ibrahimovic is eligible to play for Croatia. That stinks. What'd he play for Sweden for cos he shows no passion in that jersey. I think thats a guy who is not sure what nationality he is as well.
Well lets hope Croatia has finished with playing England cos i think we've all had about enough of each other to be honest. Croatia ruined England's Euro 2008 and England doing same to Croatia's world Cup, so it kinda feels like both countries have slapped each other across the face and saying ow that hurts. I think both countries would prefer if they had easier direct rivals in their group. I know England for example always were happiest when there main rival was Poland in qualifying. Everyone might think England is class now, but they've had to get an Italian to coach them and pay him millions of pounds to do it well and that doesn't sit 100% well with Englishman as its like acceptance that they can't achieve with one of there own in charge. Same with the EPL. The countries become a national of consumers now and rather than facing up to its problems it sort of hides them throws money at something and hopes nobody notices cos the outcome keeps them happy.
My family history is a bit amiss really cos i'm born to two cultures which really oppose each other and which although not said – you can tell both cultures are not keen on mixed race marriages. As a consequence i've not really sided with either culture and gone off to a just do whatever takes my fancy. English people always look at me oddly when i say i support Dinamo Zagreb. They look at me as if i said a word they don't understand. It just totally confuses them. I think i probably am English in truth cos my parents chose to bring me up mainly in my English family. I only can speak English and its easier to be abivalent here cos its a money motivated country. In England they'll sell there identity for money. Everything is up for grabs here so i can float to another culture without hassle. Whilst theres me taking a interest in Croatia, there's also about loads of other English people trying to be American, so there isn't any pride like is in Croatia. England is a country that has big problems with its identity anyway. There monarchy is really German, they've been invaded by French and Scadanavia's so they're sort of an almalgamation of lots of things. The country can't really throw its hat on what being English really is. I think it prob did do a while back, but now it wouldn't really have a clue. Its sort of confused and a bit behind. Its also drowning in alchoholism, obesity and debt and depression about being America's poodle at present.
But anyway i guess its natural to hate on your own country. I imagine Croatians do it too when they see the corruption before they can see the beauty of the landscape.
Regards my writing on CSR and interest in croatian football there is also part of it which is due to journalistic ambitions. For me this is great. Its a great feeling to test ideas on the public and to see what they like and what they think is crap. Through my knowledge and style of reporting if its gives something to the readers then that's all great.
I am mean to the idiots and virgins on this site. You are not one of them so there's no need. The reason I asked is because I thought it was cool that a Croat was reporting from England. In turn, that to me means a free place to stay if I ever come to England for a match. What matters most is what you are in your heart and soul; family history has nothing to do with it.
Keep up the good work! Your pieces are actually interesting to read unlike that tragedy from last week.
Prob was stupid to answer your question BBB as it kills the power of some of my arguements, but I have a Wenger philosophy of not ducking hard questions which would have been easy to do. I was born in England and grew up in a really cold and crappy town called Halifax, West Yorkshire. If you look it up on the internet, don't expect too much cos one of its main tourist attactions is a rusty old guilotine which says it all really. They don't still use it as far as i'm aware. I moved since then to a place in England where Vlaovic scored against Turkey in 1996:) Whoever knows football trivia will be able to know what city that is, no prizes am afraid apart from maybe a trip to Halifax if that takes your fancy..
Tell inquiring minds to mind his own business. I have a awkward family history, would rather not discuss it on CSR, just enjoy the reports.
Nope not Croatian which is why i can never understand the Dario Cvitanich issues. However its 200% my team and Dinamo. I'm half English, half some other country i never really been to or really known. Am adicted to Croatia, so can argue where that comes from – who knows. Have a bizarre deep attraction to Croatia.
Dinamofan,
Excellent write up.
Personal question: I see that you're reporting from England and that you live there. Are you Croatian, your parents? Inquiring minds want to know.
excellent report, the forgotten men addition is a great feature! great job dinamofan
Thanks J.P. I don't think anyone in Dinamo is particularly impressed by yesterdays performance. Many expected Lokomotiva would roll over, but it appears the loanees over there really wanted to prove a point and Dinamo nearly lost points if not for Loncaric's saves. Even on the goal there was little Loko's keeper could do to stop that header, so maybe Dinamo need to start looking at some of these guys next season. Hopefully Loko stay up so they can have another season player in HNL1 every week.
I wasn't that impressed by Osijek's goalkeeper in the Belupo match. He seems to be doing everything possible to get out the way of shots.
Cico Kranjcar to Iran! Interesting times for the "Crangcars" lately.
http://jutarnji.hr/sport/nogomet/clanak/art-2009,9,26,,177697.jl
nice, I like the forgotten man bit. great job DF!