Thursday was a great day for Croatian football as Hajduk Split and Rijeka got past the third qualifying round of the Conference League. This is the first time since 2017 that we have at least three sides in the play-off round of European competitions. Back then it was actually all four sides: Rijeka reached the Champions League play-off, while Dinamo, Osijek and Hajduk were in the Europa League play-off round. Hopefully, the results don’t repeat, as everybody lost, and we were left with only Rijeka in the 2nd tier of European football.
Ilves 1-1 (1-2 agg.) Rijeka: Lasickas Sends Rijeka Through
It was a tough away leg in Finland for Matjaž Kek’s men. The game started, and most of the first half was just Rijeka controlling the tempo and holding the hosts hostage, as they couldn’t do anything and couldn’t get a good chance against last season’s Cup finalists. However, right at the start of the 2nd half, Ilves had a big chance after Rijeka were unable to deal with a cross. Thankfully, Rijeka’s defence gathered in front of the goal to block Hytönen’s shot. Faris Krkalić then stepped up in the 60th minute with a brilliant save to stop a header from Jakov Puljić.
And just two minutes later, Ilves shocked Rijeka as Hytönen got past Barco with ease on the right and squared the ball across the box, which found a running Stanislav Baranov, who equalised. Thankfully, the shock quickly wore off for the Croatian side as Justas Lasickas picked up the rebound off a Krkalić save in the 70th minute to restore Rijeka’s aggregate lead and put them through, after a few shaky defensive corners at the end.
Rijeka will now face Danish side Midtjylland in the UECL play-off — a very tough opponent who beat Dinamo Zagreb 2-0 last season in the Europa League league stage. But if anybody has a chance vs. a favourite side, it will be Matjaž Kek’s Rijeka, who already look like a Kek side just under a month after the season started.
Hajduk 4-0 (9-2 agg.) Žalgiris: Easy.
Hajduk Split reached the play-off with a very dominant win over the Lithuanian side. To very quickly summarise the match…
First half: Big misses at the start from Livaja and Dalisson, and…that’s pretty much it.
Second half: Anđelo Šutalo brilliantly finds Dario Melnjak to open the scoring; Adam Huram becomes Hajduk’s 3rd-youngest goalscorer in European competitions for 2-0; an own goal and Šego add the last two goals.
Gonzalo Garcia once again got loudly booed by the majority of attendees at Poljud, but he has brought the club its first play-off appearance since Valdas Dambrauskas in 2022, when ‘Bili’ got knocked out by Villarreal. An achievement, considering Hajduk had to win two ties to get here, which they haven’t done since 2017 (Levski Sofia and Brøndby). Though this shouldn’t be viewed as much of an achievement, as Hajduk should be beating Žalgiris and Žilina.
Now, Hajduk will face Polish side Raków Częstochowa as the Split side looks to get to their first group/league stage since 2010. Robert Graf is working hard behind the scenes, as almost everybody is aware the team needs new and quality players. According to reports from Index, Hajduk are trying to sign BiH centre-back Haris Hadžikadunić. Graf is also looking for a midfielder (please be a 6) and a winger. Somehow Poljud hasn’t seen a natural 6 in midfield since Mihael Žaper, who lasted for 12 glorious games before suffering a terrible injury that left him a shadow of his old self.
Now, Raków reached the round of 16 of the Conference League last season, where they gave Fiorentina a good fight before the Italians edged them in the second half of the return leg. Hajduk aren’t favourites, but if they want to reach the league stage without winning the title first, this is the type of team they have to beat, one at a similar level to Pafos. The club has to prioritise this and bring in two players before the first leg next Thursday to increase their chances of breaking the curse. Interestingly, this is the first time since the 2010 play-off vs. Unirea that Hajduk will be playing the tie in the same order as they did back then: first home, then away. All five play-off rounds in between then and now were played away first, with the return leg at Poljud. I’m sensing it might be the year Hajduk gets back into Europe just based on that fact alone.
Hopefully, we will get Rijeka or Hajduk into the Conference League proper. And may God give us the perfect scenario of both going through and Dinamo in the Champions League.
Kotarski career over
ACL
His best attribute ie distribution never again (he’ll never trust planting his leg to kick will always be on his mind)
And given his shot stopping is so so
Career over
He did put out terrible karma few days ago trying to knife Liva #1 at DZ and hence on the NT
What did he do a few days ago?
Couple days ago – the initial news was they did tests on site and it was ACL – now he’s getting more scans Monday
It could also be Kotarski wants to leave (to DZ) and is faking an injury to push for a move (not sure how you fake an ACL injury – like the opposite of clean pee for doping test – u switch up the scan from someone with a blown ACL)
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Copenhagen Sundays
@CphSundays
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5h
Translated from Danish
#fcklive #sldk
SVENSSON ON KOTARSKI: IT’S JUST NOT THAT POSITIVE
On Sunday, there was extra focus on F.C. Copenhagen’s goalkeeper Dominic Kotarski in the away match against Randers. Because back home in Copenhagen, Diant Ramaj was fully underway with a return to the Lions.
Unfortunately, the attention on FCK’s number 1 was ramped up when, after just under 10 minutes of the second half, he sat down in his box and then had to be substituted out with what looked like an injury.
“…it’s never positive when the goalkeeper has to be subbed off, first of all. Secondly, it’s never positive when it’s from a sunny day. Something else if it was a collision or something that looks a bit more football-related, but on a long clearance, where the supporting leg gets some kind of movement that wasn’t so nice, that’s just… now we have to see, but it’s just not that positive,” said Bo Svensson in the mixed zone after the match to Copenhagen Sundays and the rest of the press.
–What are your thoughts on it possibly being his last match for F.C. Copenhagen?
“There aren’t that many thoughts. Right now, my thoughts are about seeing that scan image and hoping for the very best for Dominic, first and foremost. And then take it from there,” said the head coach.
And the coach, by the way, wouldn’t comment on Diant Ramaj having been in Copenhagen since Saturday evening, or that Farzam and Tipsbladet, just as we were standing in the mixed zone in Randers on Sunday, reported a “done deal” on the German keeper’s return to FCK.
The Croatian goalkeeper is set to have his knee scanned on Monday.
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First start for 19 y/o RW Andjelo Sutalo for Hajduk ?
He’s born January 1st
His parents are so so smart having their baby on the best day of the year – sets him up for success and big advantage over peers born same year (say December 31st)
But of course they cut it close – a few hours earlier and his whole life would have been crap
Franjo playing now Super Cup against PSG – someone watch it and report back
He’s so so lucky to be playing against Kvara would Anonymous loves – maybe even more than Bowen – it’s close
Watched first half. Franjo suffers a bit from baturina vibes before Como. He wants things to be in his favour and he doesn’t really focus and battle to make things go his way. Very flaky. I can see why mourinho didn’t like him. Needs to man up very quickly if he is going to succeed. Has good ability
What a goal by Gakpo against Bati
Wonder if he wants to make the move to the biggest club in London? 🤷♀️
Pandur 1 SoT and 1 goal allowed
Tough tough start for him
10am Sunday Kova and Josko (at CB) start vs. Odegaard and Bruno G [Crnkovic in PARADISE]
Did Smolcic pocket the Liverpool 0-0 ? Another this afternoon Paz and Bati ?
Davic Celic new contract mo money 2031 – next game ? Let 4 in goals (from shoot 6) and Sirius first lost 3-4 – revoke new contact – keep Celic HUNGRY
I wish we were as good as spurs. 😘
Kova and Josko looking fine
😘
Dec 5th and May 1st 😳
Watching Istra today and noticing that kid Žužić, 17 years old score against Lokomotiva. Istra average age is 21.5 years old….what a phenomenal program to get these kids competing in this league.
Istra has really stepped up their program
Has goes with its.
Have goes with their.
😓
Is Skafar-Zuzic the best LW in the league already ? Whose better ??
He’s the best using a 3-game sample, sure. 😊
lol – you know what I’m asking – is he better than Hoxha already ? If he’s better than him he’s the best LW in the league
Depends.
If his “Škafar” half turns out to be a slavicized form of “Schaffer”, then it will drag him down as Germanic skillsets in football are in low demand.
Since he looks to have a lot of technical skill and creativity, I’m guessing he took after his Žužić side.
I think we need to see more than 3 games to ensure he has the ability to keep this up for more than a month (as he has been probably the best LW right now).
Takes break. Visits ………. Maminjo still the know-it-all. Luka Sucic rules!
Anonymous still trying to form a caricature. Tough times.
.
While it might not be great for your own sanity gbvh, at least you’re back with us. I was getting concerned. . .
Your Menckenesque, agreeably acerbic, curmudgeonly posts, were missed . . . at least by some . . .
Welcome back!
gbvh reminds me of one of those Garcia-booing Hajduk fans 😅
You know I respect your knowledge (yes that doesn’t count for much on my part).
My dad is a Hajduk/Livaja freak. He can’t be talked to at times. He is pushing 80 … and hung up on me last year when I didn’t agree that Croatia should have a Hajduk player on its roster just for the sake of it.
A Tin U,
Appreciated. This place is rough of late. It’s turning more into “me” than Croatian sports. As social media goes I guess …. sramota.
BREAKING: Slaven Bilić is expected to CALL UP Darko Nejašmić to the national team for the first four Nations League games.
However, it remains unclear whether he will be on standby or included in the final 26-man squad.
𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐒𝐓: Darko Nejašmić is reportedly set to be INCLUDED in Slaven Bilić’s first Croatia squad nezt month.
The 27-year-old midfielder has never been capped at senior level but is enjoying perhaps the best form of his career in the Netherlands, where he has earned the nickname “Busquets of Nijmegen.”
Out of all the deep thinkers here, None have brought his name up before
Yeah I honestly lost track of him. I’m thinking he may be a Moro replacement.
Seems like a good depth piece at CDM. But if we’re going to call up Misic also, are we going to be heavy in the central midfield?
None have brought up his name?
Wasn’t he recently listed on some top ten list of “most likely” call-ups here?
Saranic 2 assists in 1st half
U guys are all MORONS for doubting the greatest eye tester in the world
Zuzic with his first goal (should be his 2nd he was robbed MD1)
The other Jaga scored too (change ur name bro we already have a Jaga)
Jakov Dedic with his second goal in a 2-1 win.
SORRY
VUSKOVIC starts vs. Roma 10am ET now too
65 minutes played
Had it on background wasn’t paying attention but he didn’t have much to do
Every corner they trying to get it on his head
As the eye test is not available, because you were inexcusably not paying attention . . . we have to reply on Sofascore and Fotmob until someone chips in with a report.
Sofascore
Vuskovic 7.2
(Brighton overall 7.01)
Fotmob
Vuskovic 7.3
(Brighton overall 6.9)
Subbed off in the 66th minute.
Looks like he lost a high number of ground duels, but overall a solid game.
Luka Sucic playing vs. Chelsea right now
Ayodele Thomas vs. Filip Pavic – both on bench right now (Stanisic not in squad – hopefully he’s not injured again)
Kramaric not even on bench vs. the BEST LONDON CLUB THE WORLD HAS EVEN SEEN
no one gives a fuck about some dutch mutt, weirdo
Careful rly- anonymous and crnkovik -will bring the hate for stating the OBVIOUS.
Nobody on here gives a flying F about mid level Englishmen Dutch etc etc who aren’t Croats.
Kramaric had surgery recently. Not expected to be back until late September.
Segecic starting
Crnac not even on Norwich bench yet (I think he’s at least 1+ month away)
Really bothers Anonymous that Modric hasn’t pushed for Swansea City to buy any young Croats (NOT EVEN ONE) to play in the Championship
Instead they bought Serb Marko Stamenic who starts today
It’s just a pump and dump scheme.
What happens if there is no pump and only dumps will Citadel come in the buy the pieces?
Rangers 2-3 CRASH out of Europa
On all three goals – Pandur is waving his hands at his teammates
1st goal – teammate deflected it – but was going in corner anyways – Pandur couldn’t do much
2nd goal – Pandur makes save – but rebound back out – then thru his legs
3rd goal – Polish player completely free header (despite 3-4 defenders around him) and power header into the goal
Not sure Pandur could have done much better on the goals – but worst start for Rangers first four games in their HISTORY – and everyone wants to manager sacked already
Nasty stuff
Crnkovic
Thanks for the eye testing that Matanovic has potential to be World Class
Since Anonymous trusts you they made some calls and voila now Tttenham are buying him
U guys really didn’t think Anonymous wasn’t going to make sure a Croat joins to replace Luka so they could post every 5 minutes this season about the BEST club the world has even seen ?!
😊
https://x.com/croatiafooty/status/2088355996729053230?s=46
Way too early.
Frigan 23’ today
2nd goal back (11’ in first one)
Hopefully he gets back to full fitness and starts producing real soon
As previewed, Dragusin has taken Pong’s spot at Fiorentina (he started, while Pong sits in today’s 4-1 cup game underway)
Pong, Sutalo and Duje – all basically without clubs and/or no prospect of game time this year (and terrible sign that not one club is interested in any of the 3 and time is running out)
And Erlic has never played a minute for the NT in the last 3 tournaments where he sat on the bench (and only 1 competitive game each year for the last 3 years for the NT)
So basically – we’ve gone from one extreme 6 CBs – to the other 2 (Josko and Vusko) – Bilic must be looking at some new CB names which we don’t lack
This is good news.
None of the three have been playing well for us these past several years, yet they were given A LOT of game time.
It just shows you how bad a decision it was to bench poor Vušković for his supposed bad game against England, yet give Pong/Šutalo a long leash despite doing nothing.
Not the will be no rationale for Bulić to play them (or even call them up).
Time to move onto the next crop.
100%
Ok to keep one around for seniority (as Corluka no longer around) but the rest should be retired
The issue is Mlacic, Prpic, etc haven’t really imposed themselves at their clubs so not sure who the fresh CBs should be but there must be some out there
Erlić has been playing regular first team football at Midtylland so he deserves to be ahead of all of them.
He’s not anyone I would start, but he’s worth being a backup.
Duje and Šutalo are essentially cut from their clubs. There is no justification to call them up unless they’re doing something remarkable for the National Team (which they’re not).
Pongračić was never good for us, and now that he’s benched at his club there is no reason to call him up either.
I’d just go with Gvardiol, Vušković, Erlić as our CBs right now. No need to call up 6 of them.
If Mlačić continues to start at Udinese, he probably should be called up. If one of our young CB phenom prospects (like Puljić or Pavić) take a step this season, then call them up too.
If none of them do, and we are desperate for another CB, then I would call up only ONE of Šutalo/Pong/Duje…but, honestly, we could probably just play Stanišić at CB when needed (and start Smolčić at RB instead).
I’d rather use the last few roster spots to call up young guys and test them out for the last 10 minutes of every game.
We have a lot of players in action tomorrow in League play, Cup play, and club friendlies.
Hopefully we can get reports in on a number of players.
Udinesse and Mlacic are in action in the Coppa Italia. I will be interested to see how his 2026-27 season goes, he showed some real promise last season.
Championship is also underway, so Segecic is starting his season and also Crnac, but I don’t know Crnac’s current status.
Then we have a number of friendlies being played, with a number of Croatian players likely to see the field: Luka Sucic, Matanovic, Vuskovic, and many others.
Matanovic has highest potential, could be world class if he really works hard and stays grounded. Beljo is improving. Ivanovic could be a good player as well. Musa is decent . The four of them are a good set of prospects if they keep improving. Matkovic bigger talent than any but man these ACL injuries.
I know why they are happening I might write to the HNS about it
Hopefully they all get high level competition this year.
Ivanovic will be in Champions League and a top five league.
Beljo might get the opportunity for Champions League as well this season if Dinamo can get the job done. Beljo would benefit from European competition at that level.
Matanovic hopefully at least gets into Conference League, I think they need one more win and they are in. They almost won Europa last season, and might have a good chance of getting to the finals again in CL. At least he plays in the Bundesliga in any event.
It seems Musa probably should make the jump back to a European club team to keep his progress moving forward. Is he going to develop further in North America? I don’t know that he would be facing the level of competition he needs to take it to the next level. . .
Crnkovic, write them soon.
We have both Frigan and Crnac coming back this season . . . Hopefully they can make very good recoveries and have strong seasons . . . But these knee injuries have been like a plague . . .
Crnac, Frigan, Luka Sučić, Pjaca, Stojković, Krovinović, Brajković, Moro, Kačavenda, Matković, Grgić…
I know I missed a few more (as these were just off the top of my head), but in the past 10 years we have been losing (or limiting the career) of at least one potential young star every single season.
The fact that I can rattle off the names of a dozen young guys who had their careers hurt badly by knee injuries is disturbing.
…What’s even more disturbing is that I just remembered that Dinamo just lost two young talents this past week (Patrik Horvat and Ivan Jurčić) during some friendly tournaments. Both of them lost due to ACL ruptures!
Dear Croatiansports, I left a comment for @Lovre Nikolac, @Maminjo, @A Tin U and @Stjepan V. Please release it from moderation, thanks.
@Lovre Nikolac
I feel like we are very fortunate on here to be getting these in-depth updates about HNL and Europe, thank you Lovre!
***
@Maminjo @A Tin U @Stjepan V.
Just wanna correct what I wrote earlier. There is actually NO option to buy included in the deal between RC Lens and Benfica for Franjo Ivanovic. Hmm honestly I don’t know if this is a good or bad thing…
Lens have an established center forward in 28-year-old Frenchman, Odsonne Edouard, who was their joint topscorer last season (12 in league, 2 in Coupe de France).
Lens appointed Dino Toppmoller as the new coach in June after the previous coach left for Crystal Palace. Last summer, while Toppmoller was coach of Eintracht Frankfurt, he wanted to sign Franjo but the deal didn’t materialize for some reason and Franjo went to Benfica instead. I really hope Franjo is more of Toppmoller’s kind of striker versus Odsonne Edouard. And along with the heavier game schedule due to Champions League, hopefully Franjo will get much more playing time than he did at Benfica last season.
Lens kick things off in the French super cup on Sunday against PSG. Edouard got injured in a friendly last week but I have no idea if he’s available or not.
Tin, you’re right. We definitely need more quality options at the striker position. I think we need more than just Matanovic and Beljo for this new 4-year cycle until WC 2030, so may God help Franjo to succeed…
Thank you! <3
I didn’t know about that Toppmoller thing.
If Toppmoller was the reason why Franjo was originally linked to Frankfurt, and is now the reason why he’s headed to Lens…then it’s a very good thing.
Hopefully he gets the starting nod and has a breakout season.
We need strikers and we seem to have a collection of decent (yet still unproven) ones in Matanović, Ivanović, Beljo and Musa.
Matanović had a great half against Portugal and finished his Bundesliga strong. I assume he’s probably going to start for us in September.
My guess is we start phasing out Budimir.
If Franjo starts at Lens, then it will give us another option right away.
Beljo and Musa will have to repeat as top scorers of their league (simply due to the quality of their leagues being lower though).
Thanks for the additional news. I was looking at the way Lens line up and I would really like to see him starting up top as opposed to behind the striker or off on the wing.
I think Franjo may have the highest ceiling out of our current striker options in terms of combining with our other attacking midfielders Baturina, P. Sucic, & whoever emerges as the best RW.
Toppmoller guaranteed Franjo starting minutes
He also guaranteed Franjo will play in his favoured position which is ability to roam freely up top (as opposed to being stuck only centrally or on the wing)
Let’s see if this actually happens though – it’s like a guy telling a girl everything she wants to hear to get into her pants
Thanks for the updated report, Bart!
On Sofifa, where “potential” is rated, Ivanovic is our striker ranked highest with an 83 potential.
Current overall quality/potential he is rated 74/83.
Ivanovic 74/83
Beljo is 74/80.
Igor 74/78.
Budimir 82/82
Musa 77/77
Frigan 73/78
Kusanovic 57/78
Petkovic 75/75
Note that updates can be slow, so I think some have not been updated since maybe January or so. Should be some updates and changes soon.
To give some comparison Modric is currently 85/85 and Gvardiol is 85/88. At his peak with Real, Modric was somewhere in or about 91/91. Something like that.
I like Budimir and how he became better later in his career. Good character guy and quality player, contributed to the NT . . . but we probably have to move on from Budimir now as Maminjo says, and start relying on some of our youth. I rank Matanovic as having the highest potential right now, Sofifa probably has’t yet incorporated his strong finish at Freiburg last season . . . let’s hope Ivanovic has a good 2026/27 season and gets back on track.