More to come throughout the day as Hajduk Split and NK Osijek begin their Europa League qualifying matches Thursday. Hajduk travels to Macedonia to take on Renova at 9:30AM (ET) while Osijek host Swiss club Basel at 2:45PM (ET). Both ties will be determined in 1-leg due to COVID and travel restrictions. Predictions: Hajduk beats Renova … [Read more...] about Hajduk Beats Renova 1-0, Osijek Out After 2-1 Loss To Basel
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HNL Week 1 – It’s Back … Again!
By 1 CommentThe HNL returns after a brief break and the first week shined a light on how the season may be played out. Dinamo Zagreb began their defense of the title on Sunday with a 6-0 win over NK Lokomotiva. If this match showed anything, it showed that Lokomotiva is not the same team that finished the season with dramatic second place … [Read more...] about HNL Week 1 – It’s Back … Again!
Lokomotiva Grab 2nd Place, CL Berth With 2 Minutes Left In Season
By 8 CommentsIt was a wild finish to the Croatian Prva Liga season as Lokomotiva and Osijek locked horns on the final day to determine who would go to Champions League qualifying. Osijek needed an outright win to finish second but an 88th minute Danijel Lončar own goal would send Lokomotiva (basically Dinamo Zagreb's 2nd team) to a 2-1 victory. That goal would have put Rijeka through, but … [Read more...] about Lokomotiva Grab 2nd Place, CL Berth With 2 Minutes Left In Season
Why Does No Club Want The Second Croatian Champions League Spot?
By 14 CommentsFor the first time, I think ever, the 1. HNL has two Champions League places up for grabs. Whoever gets these places will still have to go through the qualifying stages to get into the group stage for the 2020-21 European season, but even so, it is a great opportunity for Croatian soccer as a whole. Dinamo Zagreb already has the first spot locked up after recently being crowned … [Read more...] about Why Does No Club Want The Second Croatian Champions League Spot?
Failed Wonderkids: Why Did They Fail?
By 70 CommentsHow often are young players labeled ‘wonderkids’ after showing the slightest bit potential? Way too often. And how often do those players live up to their lofty potentials? Much less often. It is an unfortunate thing to be labeled a failed wonderkid, but at the end of the day, it is just part of the game. Why do these players end up failing to live up to the hype? There are … [Read more...] about Failed Wonderkids: Why Did They Fail?
HNL Week 15
By 2 CommentsConsistency seems to be a key factor in winning championships. It's Dinamo Zagreb who has been the most reliable team to do so in recent history, but it's smaller clubs such as Gorica and Osijek who sometimes struggle to maintain successful runs. HNK Gorica have been the most-successful newly-promoted team in the past 10 years, finishing in fifth place - three points … [Read more...] about HNL Week 15
HNL Week 14
By 9 CommentsOnly three days after falling out of the Croatian Cup at the hands of HNK Gorica, Hajduk was handed an opportunity for revenge, but the Bili fell flat. Grocia's Kristijan Lovrić opened the scoring in the 11th minute on Saturday. Lovrić has been a thorn in Hajduk's side as he also opened the scoring in the previous match three days earlier. And just like three days … [Read more...] about HNL Week 14
HNL Week 13: Circus at Poljud
By 1 CommentThe circus made a stop in Split Sunday while Hajduk hosted Slaven Belupo. A series of odd events led to a 2-0 Hajduk victory, leaving the final score as a secondary talking point. Slaven had some complaints after no call was made when Hajduk goalkeeper smothered the ball at least a yard outside of the penalty area. But this was only the build up … [Read more...] about HNL Week 13: Circus at Poljud
HNL Week 10: Dinamo, Rijeka Closing the Gap
By 33 CommentsHajduk Split still maintain sole possession of the top of the table, but the Bili fumbled a few points on Sunday during a tough trip to Pula. Aldo Drosina hosted the match between Pula and Hajduk, which finished 1-1 after a lackluster performance by both sides. Hajduk opened the scoring with Mijo Caktaš scoring his fourth goal of the season. But Istra's Stefan Lončar … [Read more...] about HNL Week 10: Dinamo, Rijeka Closing the Gap