All four of Croatia’s clubs learned their fate for the play off round of the UEFA Europa league today and have all been given the chance to advance to the group stage.
The stars aligned and were on Croatia’s side this morning as all four teams were given favorable draws.
GNK Dinamo Zagreb, who’s disappointing result against Danish champions, AaB Fodbold, lead to an early exit from the Champions League, were drawn against Romanian club FC Petrolul Ploieşti. Dinamo has faced the Romanian club recently in a pre season friendly on June 26 and lost 2-0, but Dinamo coach Zoran Mamić says that the match was just a preparatory match and “doesn’t mean much.” Petrolul finished in third place in the Romanian first league last season and should not stand in the way of Dinamo’s aspirations for group stage play.
HNK Hajduk Split, who pulled off an impressive and unlikely 3-0 win at home yesterday to advance to the play off round drew another team from Ukraine, FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk. Dnipro may be the toughest draws for the Croatian clubs in the tournament. Dnipro made it to the round of 16 in the Europa League last season before getting knocked out by England’s Tottenham Hotspur.
“They are a big name in Ukrainian football and it won’t be easy for us. They are a quality team, very strong. But if we are at our best, we shouldn’t be afraid,” midfielder Tino-Sven Šušić said.
Hajduk will certainly have their work cut out for them, but the team proved yesterday that they have the will to take on a challenge.
Hakduk’s neighbors, RNK Split also had an unlikely trip to the play off round by beating Ukraine’s FC Chornomorets Odesa. Odesa who were unable to score on Split in the two-legged affair. Split will now face Italy’s Torino FC. The mid-table Italian club finished in seventh place in Serie A last season, but are best remembered for their runner-up performance in the 1992 UEFA Cup finals. Any Serie A team is going to be a big challenge for Split, but hopes are high for the small Croatian club.
“I think we have opponents who we can stand up to. I believe we have a chance to reach the Europa League group stage,” Split coach Ivan Matić said. “Torino are still not match fit. I think we will be in better form when the games come around and we will try to use the advantage of playing the first match at home.”
HNK Rijeka cruised their way into the play off round after beating the Faroe Islands’ champions with an aggregate score of 9-1. The club will now face Sheriff Moldavia. Sheriff always puts up a tough match, having recently lost only 1-0 to Dinamo last year in the qualifiers after a last-minute goal. The Moldavian club made it to the group stages of the Europa League last season, but Rijeka has the former captain of Sheriff on their side this season.
“It is a good feeling. I will be up against my old team – I was their captain before I came to Rijeka,” Miral Samardžić said. “They are one of the best sides we could have drawn, given the names that were in the hat. They’ve got some fast wingers and their style is to play down the flanks and then on individual strength, but our strength is strong team play and I believe we will show that against them.”
The play off ties will take place on August 21 and 28.
Armada 87446786548 ! Tried it many times before U have , my little so called up & coming team ! Enjoy it while U can ! Ha ha . Bog i Hajduk !!!
Mandzu with his first goal for athletico
Lovren with a goal in his debut for liverpool against dortmund. Bet Iggy just creamed his pants
@ Cico
I’m in Kantrida having breakfast…. Eating some frosted flakes out of the Hrvatski Kup. These frosted flakes are so freaking delicious man…. You should try some!
A B Disi ?!?
Your right Zach Rakitic is looking real good.
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2014/8/9/5986851/maarten-stekelenburg-monaco-loan-fulham
Bad news
Halilovic got some burn as well near the end of the game. Had a nice shot that sailed slightly over the bar. Good for him.
Rakitic with two assists and taking almost all of Barcelona’s free kicks and corner kicks. Good sign, even if it’s only a friendly.
Funny how he can’t get a chance to take a corner or free kick on our National Team.
Sounds like (and looks like) Rakitic is off to a great start at Barca
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQo3Z5XpMCc&list=UU4vWADRIGxBekUhQanBdWDw
Of course, he can’t help the top squad this year at all other than to provide rest in meaningless games..
it is a good note for him, but unlikely to stick around when the big boys arrive back.
I just want to see him develop and spend the entire year at Barca B with maybe a Cup appearance.
Halilovic sticking around with the Barcelona A team till the last second, looks like most B side players were sent home already but he’s still on the bench for their game today.. Games on bein, hopefully he gets some good run in the second half
Hajduk might get an automatic birth
http://www.index.hr/sport/clanak/ovo-su-kadrovi-koji-su-sokirali-uefau-hoce-li-hajduk-zbog-divljanja-navijaca-dnjipra-automatski-u-europa-ligu-/764543.aspx
Not a good draw at all. Not the greatest clubs, so no big money. But also very decent teams which will be very hard to beat.
Bešiktaš just drew Arsenal for Champions League qualifying.
This is a pretty huge game for Bilić’s career. They’re pretty big underdogs and I’m not sure if getting to this stage by default (since Fenerbahçe was disqualified) and then getting demolished by Arsenal is something that Bilić’s reputation can handle (especially since that terrible campaign with Lokomotiv Moskva).
Maybe Boro Primorac will help him out and give him some insider info.