2016 has started out much like 2015 ended: With Dinamo on top.
Dinamo is continuing its six-game winning streak with another victory on Sunday against Zagreb on a nearly unplayable pitch at Kranjčevićeva.
The abysmal field conditions only set an even better stage for the controversy that was to come midway through the second half.
Zagreb started the match with a stunning performance that left Dinamo scratching their heads at half time.
Lovro Medić put the poets in the lead in the 30th minute after he beat Eduardo from inside the six-yard box.
Medić gave his team hope for their first league win since November, but the hope would not last.
Bunkering down against Dinamo was not enough for the Poets. Dinamo came out in the second half determined to redeem their efforts.
Their hard work paid off when Junior Fernandes found the back of the net in the 63rd minute to tie the match, but the woes were not over for Zagreb yet.
Controversy is never far from Dinamo Zagreb, and the night at Kranjčevićeva was no different.
Three minutes went by after the goal before Bernardo Matic apparently pushed down Damir Sovšić in the penalty area.
A closer look at the decision left many skeptical about whether it was too harsh of a judgment, but nonetheless, Dinamo was awarded the penalty kick, which they turned into their second goal of the match via Armin Hodzić’s foot.
Dinamo started the evening chasing Rijeka for the top spot in the table. By the night’s end, Dinamo once again reigned on top, leading the league by two points following a 2-1 win.
But Rijeka isn’t going away quietly, or even going away at all for that matter.
Despite the departure of players such as Josip Radošević, Vedran Jugović, and Anas Sharbini, Rijeka continues its offensive prowess against a reinforced Lokomotiva side.
Rijeka opened up the second half of the season with a 2-0 win over the Lokosi on Frrday afternoon.
Despite open play and several well-taken attempts on net, Lokomotiva were unable to get on the scoreboard.
Rijeka on the other hand made the best of their opportunities and opened the scoring in the 18th minute.
Marin Tomasov scored the first goal of 2016 after tapping the ball over the head of Oliver Želenika.
It was a foot race to the ball between Želenika and Tomasov, but Tomasov burst toward the ball too quick for the goalkeeper and was able to get just the right touch to finish the play.
The ball was sent from a field-length kick from goalkeeper Ivan Vargić, who racked up an assist in the match.
Swiss international Mario Gavranović doubled Rijeka’s lead during his first official appearance for the club.
Gavranović converted a cross sent in by Roman Bezjak to score the second goal of game in the 25th minute.
With win, Rijeka is now two points behind Dinamo. The two clubs will face each other next week at Maksimir on Sunday.
Rijeka – Lokomotiva 2-0, sažetak, 12.02.2016. by dm_525b2245553f8
HNK Hajduk Split celebrated more than a new year on Saturday, but also celebrated their 105th birthday in style at Poljud with a 2-0 win over Slaven Belupo.
No Balić, no Caktaš, no problem. When it came down to it, the “new” Hajduk was able to break the tough stance of Slaven and score two goals in the come out with a happy birthday.
Slaven gave the Bili a tough opponent in the first half, leaving Hajduk with little options or ideas.
Though in the final minute of the first 45, Hajduk cracked the code against the Pharmacists and opened the scoring.
The late first-half goal proved that Hajduk is still a contender in the league. Tino-Sven Šusić struck for the Bili neat the top of the penalty area to beat the keeper with a strong shot.
Hajduk struck again in the 76th minute with a goal from Zoran Nižić. The Split native gave the fans what they were looking for on that special day; a convincing win at home and three points to celebrate with.
Nižić’s goal came from a classic short corner play. Nicolas Velez sent in the cross from a much more accessible angle and Nižić became the tallest man in the box when he went up to meet the ball with a strong header.
Hajduk ended the match in a calm and collected manner, holding possession until the final whistle blew.
Hajduk are in the hunt for the top spot, but remain four points behind Rijeka and six points behind Dinamo. They also rest above RNK Split, a head by nine points.
A fierce battle in Zaprešić took place on Sunday against Inter and RNK Split.
The field at Stadion ŠRC Zaprešić was still reeling from the abuse it took on Wednesday when Dinamo and Inter abused the rain-soaked pitch that created an mud-bowl atmosphere Saturday that ended in a 1-1 draw.
Inter got on the board first with a long-range shot from Andrea Ottochian in the 41st minute.
Inter buried themselves in the mud – so to speak – trying to keep Split off the scoreboard, who were knocking at the door for the remainder of the match.
Just when three points looked to by going the way of Inter, Split’s Ivan Pešić tied the match with his 84th minute goal.
The teams were unable to break the deadlock in the remaining minutes in such poor field conditions and were forced to take one point each.
NK Osijek welcomed NK Istra 1961 to the Garden City on Saturday and the ending result was a 0-0 draw.
It was a well-deserved draw for both clubs, and a warm welcome to the new owners of Osijek, who signed their names on the dotted line earlier in the month.
Istra also tested the waters with their new coach on Saturday. Both clubs ended the match with a clean sheet, but still continue their offensive struggles.
http://www.vijesti.rtl.hr/video/partneri/92220/osijek-istra-22-kolo-sazetak/
No, not this on. It was never close enough to rig. If it would have been, then past examples suggest Dinamo would have been helped out. As has been stated previously, Dinamo should not need the help but the evidence is clearly there to suggest they received it when needed.
Remember, we already have proof that Mamic controlled referee assignments. And we always have proof that a ref who has refereed Dinamo games received money from Mamic and Dinamo as a personal loan. Or does that get ignored. But, fan boys always gonna fan boy.
Dinamo 3 – 0 Rijeka
Anyone see this game? Did the refs rig this one too?
I forgot to add…….and I know bad pussy.
Half those items that are posted are frozen frame from incorrect angles…….come on, at least have something better than that.
I believe it accuracy……..Mamic was proven to control ref assignments in court. Name me a legit league where the guy who runs one club had jurisdiction over the refs in his own league.
This is why to HNL is sranje and nobody watches. I’m not even a hajduk apologists, I just know when something smells its either shit or some bad pussy from Slavonia.
That’s a funny site, thanks!
FacaKnjiga
Hahahaha….where the hell did you get that one Ante?
Refs have helped Man U, Real, Juventus, Bayern Munich and many many other teams in almost every season…it’s not just Dinamo that get the help, most better teams do get calls their way.
Hajduk was down 2-0, not sure why this has anything to do with Mamic…not this time!
Ziva, come on, you’re better than that. Take a look at all of the non calls that went Hajduk’s way. Yes, someone actually had the time to create this. Hopefully it works here
http://m.uploadedit.com/ba3s/1453152832629.gif
https://youtu.be/M8XT–1sO64
Lopovi su unistili sve!
If blown refs call that favor one club weren’t taking place almost weekly during the season, then yeah we could look at the issue of hajduk being down 2-0. But, this is a bigger problem.
Plus, the PK would have tied up the game and with Dinamo and Rijeka playing tomorrow, hajduk at worst would have stayed even with second place team.
For all the homers who find no issue with this….that’s cool…but, you then can’t cry when we get screwed by the refs at the Euros to a bigger side…..
While I usually disagree with the guys above, this one I wholeheartedly agree. Hajduk was down 0:2 to Lokomotiva. What are you doing being down 0:2? Refs blew the call but the bigger story is being down. That’s the issue.
All of the following is true……
Dinamo is the best team in the league
Hajduk is jadan
The league is still rigged with the above two items playing themselves out.
Again, I ask you this, what do I have wrong in any of this……the answer”……….nothi g
Hajduk being jadan, mali I nemocan is known. I’ve discussed and analyzed that for years. I’m no hajduk homer. Hell, I’m no homer period. This has nothing to do with it.
I ask this, does Dinamo get their calls in the league because it is rigged? Overwhelming evidence that it does. It was proven in court that Mamic controlled ref assignments.
This is not a hajduk issue. This is an issue of fairness and admitting the league is rigged. In fact, the league should be canceled until better stadiums are built.
Now, for those of crying that hajduk was down 2-0. This is true. And I will offer you this……the homers cried that Lovren did not commit a PK against Brazil in the World Cup. Right? But he had his hands on the guy inviting a call. No???? So, I’ll use you same logic; it was his fault because he had his hands on the guy.
Assistant referee was telling center ref it was a handball. You know they got those head sets… Center ref ignored him. What else needs to be explained?
People people Hajduk down 2 goals in the game they only have themself to blame no need to blame anyone else. This has nothing to do with anyone else except the players on the field, until they step up it will be the same garbage, face it.
Too funny. Oh yeah blame dinamo and Mamic for the loss by Hajduk today. Gotta love Ziva and his garbage.
Hajduk is awful. Just accept it. The excuses are endless on this site for them.
Ziva,
I saw the clip of the penalty, 100% penalty, I agree!
How does Hajduk get into a position where they are down 2-1 and rely on a penalty against a team they should beat, not pray the ref is in the right position to see a penalty?
You’re right, this is comical and yes, it was a penalty but I find it hilarious that Hajduk blame anyone else but themselves for being down 2-1 against a team they should beat.
Correction……the public refuses to watch
Actually, he is. Did you see how they lost and the no call on the PK in the box. It was comical. It was also easy money by taking a tie or a hajduk loss. The word on the street before the game was something was going to go down to hurt hajduk and look at what took place.
yet, again another PK that benefits Dinamo and hurts hajduk and Rijeka. But the blind will be blind and defend the staus quo and that is where I come in and explain the situation to commoners.
I have to give it up to Mamic, who has influence over game official assignment as that was proven in court, Puppet Suker and the entire savez. Their troll game against everyone not named Dinamo in the HNL is well done.
So, what have learned in the last week or so. Most calls favor Dinamo, the league continues to be garbage as games are played in conditions high school teams wouldn’t play in (must I remind you about the lack draining systems in stadiums, roofs, wifi, had scoreboard, restaurants, etc…) and the public ensues to watch. No wonder the general public is lukewarm even when it comes to supporting the repka.
But, the good news is at this does create entertainment for the rest of us.
Hajduk lost?
Boy oh boy, Mamic is an asshole!
Canada/USA women’s semi’s at the London Olympics was the most obviously rigged match I’d ever seen!
@Slavonac
Chelsea-Barca 2009 at Stamford Bridge is the most rigged match I have ever seen, or was that just bad reffing…
Modric keeps playing good for Real Madrid that’s old news he better play well at Euro 2016 not like the last World Cup.
Another questionable PK call goes Europski Dinamo’s way? You don’t say………..
For over a decade dynamo has been the best club team in Cro and Mamic still goes out of his way to ensure the refs help them. Just go look at the number of favorable questionable calls over the years. Started with Stric Franjo (1999) and continues today.
No wonder nobody cares about the league. Attendance and TV numbers suggest so.
Modric….exquisite today, didn’t lose a ball
bravo slavonac
tell that idiot ravni kotari how it is
kotari…you asked me if I don’t think games are rigged…but above I clearly said “there is corruption in this sport, I agree. but neither you nor me know when, in what game, people are paid off or if they are at all.”
@Slavonac
That happened because the game was rigged. You seriously don’t think games are rigged? You have to meet some people in the Croatian underground to convince you. People are millionaires off betting.
anyome watching the Roma v Real Madrid game?
Roma was just robbed of a penalty shot…100%…I’m a Real fan and I say it was a penalty….it happens everywhere!
0% chance Rijeka win the title. And have the title go to a liberal, cosmopolitan city that is Serb central as of late?
The powers that be will not allow it.
Didn’t you guys get the note, Dinamo are winning the next 10 titles. Book it, baby.
Ante, life is changing …for me at least. I used to do anything to go see games…I’ve been to stadiums in a few country’s (Germany, Italy, Croatia, Australia, BiH, USA…) and I always enjoyed the atmosphere. Now, I go to a hockey game here in Vancouver and I’m thinking about the drive home…in the 2nd period!
Yes, I’d love to watch a Dinamo gave at Maksimir, but if the atmosphere isn’t right and there’s a lack of fans, I’d rather watch at a bar, take in the atmosphere and mind my own business.
I think, based on the very little I’ve seen and read, Rijeka has a decent team…and Dinamo are beatable…except by Hajduk!
😉
Truth be told, I’m getting tired of it too when all I want to do is freely go to the stadium without me or the redar getting an orgasm from the patdown before entering, sing my soul out for Dinamo in the northern stands and either go home, to the bar or do something without the fear of being arrested or banned.
I think 5,000 average is good for our league and full stadiums for derbies and European play. Ideally you’d like full stadiums for every game but that’s not realistic. They didn’t even have that during the jugo days.
You know what I want the most out of the Rijeka game? Actual competition.
for the better of sport, I wouldn’t mind Rijeka winning, it would be good to see someone else break through and take over the crown, dynasty’s are not healthy for anyone…especially not in sport!
I read your link you gave me several months ago, I have asked a few of my friends about the comments. some say there is a lot of truth, some say there’s a bit of “story telling’ in the site comments.
when BBB was benefitting, nobody complained. are they standing up out of principle…YES…but they haven’t always been principled themselves.
it would be great to see them back at the games, I hardly believe the attendances would gain more than 5000 fans average, maybe I’m wrong. all I care about, from my computer here in Canada, is to see Dinamo kids developing and making it through the ranks, playing professionally in Europe and helping the NT become stronger. I have folded my tent, I’m not as good as most, I know you’re dedicated…svaka ti cast! I live for watching the game now, I have kids and a wife I love and care for, if Kramaric or Coric were screwed, jebiga, not much I can do about it…I get the feeling they’ll be fine, with or without me supporting their political battles.
kotari…did you just ask me to open my eyes?
there is corruption in this sport, I agree. but neither you nor me know when, in what game, people are paid off or if they are at all.
if you’re a Hajduk fan, I take little of what you say seriously, most Hajduk fans are bitter at everyone else but their own executives…that have fucked that team up royally!
Exactly, the Uprava didn’t want them there. Rijeka coming up this weekend. Hopefully it’s a good one.
they didn’t want BBB at the game?
I think the players want them there, maybe not the uprava!
I remember Milan-Juve a couple of years ago when it was a title deciding match. Milan score and the ball is visibly 3 feet in the goal. There were 5 refs in total that game. One right next to goal staring at the ball go in. Guess what? No goal. Can you believe it? Boban ripped that cheater Conte a new one on sky italia that day. Many examples of obvious cheating. Open up your eyes.
As soon as kladionice were introduced all of our sports have fallen. Right between 2000-2002. Most matches are rigged. You like it or not.
Slavonac, the pitch was in awful shape and the game was up in the air half an hour before the start. Gotta love last second changes to play the game on a patch of dirt. One of the rumors is that Dinamo wanted it this way so as little BBB show up because of the rumblings of their return. I wouldn’t put too much stock into it but I couldn’t drop it fully either.
its 2016 kotari…soooo many teams in Europe have won games and titles controversially!
@Slavonac
Do you know anything about Dinamo’s titles historically after Croatia gained its independence? In the 90s for sure half of them were rigged. 98-99 season was rigged 100%. Rijeka got cheated the last day.
how is a ref’s call considered Dinamo cheating?
DInamo are the Juve of Croatian football. They’re better then everyone, but still have to cheat for some odd reason.
Ante, the defender was sloppy and used his arms…plus, he had his leg between Sovsic’s, it’s really difficult to say from a video but I think it wasn’t blatant either way…
After looking at this again, I think the ref called it because Sovcic’s first touch advanced the ball past the defender, then the defender used his arms and got his leg between…
as per Sovcic taking “advantage”. They all do, every single striker will go down once they feel a defenders arms all over them, especially when a leg gets tangled between…
whatever, I was shocked to see the condition of that field. I’ve seen better playing fields at my local park!
Dino Halilovic signed for Udinese and Andrija Balic.
Slavonac,
Agreed it was a bad call but don’t you think the defender was all over Sovsic? It seems Sovsic took advantage of that to get the call.
Including their Croatian coach, lol
Thank you, Colin.
It’s amazing to see Mario Gavranovic playing for Rijeka. He’s only 26 and only 4 years ago it really looked like he would make it at Schalke 04. I was disappointed when he decided to play for Switzerland back then.
Maybe we see Josip Drmic one day playing for Hajduk. He didn’t play much since his 20 goals in one season Bundesliga.
I think that Switzerland is still so upset about Rakitic’ choice for Croatia that they let every player from Croatian descent play for their national team so they can’t choose to play for Croatia anymore.
105godina Hajduka
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p83Z1Tyivp0
very stupid penalty call in Dinamo’s favor but nothing we don’t see in games quite regularly. I’ve seen worse calls go against Chelsea in the Champions League finals when they didn’t get the calls, I’ve seen two-footed tackles with studs up and barely a caution…its not necessarily Dinamo’s fault, the ref’s in Cro are just terrible, just like they are in so many other countries.