Dinamo Zagreb remain on top of the HNL after their big 4-0 victory over NK Lokomotiva at Kranjčevićeva.
Although the Modri played a flawless match, the real spectacle was in the stands.
Several hundred members of the BBB made their way to Kranjčevićeva and lit the night up with a pyro show that ended up being tossed on to the field.
The match was temporarily suspended while police tended to the fans who through numerous flares on the pitch.
Several fans were arrested and play quickly resumed, as did Dinamo’s dominance over the Lokosi.
Angelo Henriquez capped off the match with two goals in the 35th and 64th minute while Junior Fernandes and Leonardo Sigali scored in the 71st and 74th minute respectfully.
The match will be a confidence boost for the club as they enter in their first group stage match of the Champions League on Wednesday at Maksimir Stadium against the mighty Arsenal FC of the English Premier League.
Hajduk Split performed the bare minimum to achieve victory at home against NK Zagreb and were successful in enacting revenge against the Poets, who beat them the last time these two met at Poljud.
The Zagreb offense was barraged by wave after wave of the Hajduk attack and kept goalkeeper Dominik Livaković busy, forcing him to make some tough saves early on.
Mijo Caktaš was shown a yellow card in the opening minutes of the game after doing his best to be awarded a penalty kick. Caktaš took a blatant dive while surrounded by defenders and was issued a yellow card for his theatrics.
But the lone goal in the 1-0 victory for the Bili came at the courtesy of Caktaš in the 21st minute.
Caktaš redirected a fierce cross send in by Hrvoje Milić from the top of the penalty area and Livaković has no chance of making the save.
Gabrijel Boban had a chance for the tying goal in the 30th minute, but sent it just wide of the far post.
The Poets had little more offensive pressure to show in the match, and kept Lovre Kalinić rather bored in his net.
Zagreb are still without a win in the season after nine matches played. Hajduk remain in third place only three points behind Dinamo.
The derby between HNK Rijeka and NK Istra 1961 was a close one, but the visiting team from Rijeka won the match with a score of 1-0.
Roman Bezjak scored the lone goal in the game in the ninth minute to grab all three points, keeping them only two points behind Dinamo.
This was Rijeka’s third consecutive win which is allowing them to finally show that they may be contenders for the title this season.
NK Istra had started the season on a string note, even leading the league after three weeks, but have found themselves on a six-match winless streak that they will like to soon break if they have any aspirations of seeing European football next year.
Istra is separated from the top by nine points and only five points behind the fifth place spot.
The combination of a new manager for Osijek and the lack of discipline by NK Inter Zaprešić led to a 3-1 victory for Osijek after not seeing a win since the first week of the season.
Two penalties, both scored by Antonio Perošević, were scored by Osijek which gave them a 2-0 lead.
The scoreline may have left some Inter players scratching their heads, as Inter had the bulk of the scoring opportunities but were unable to make any of them count.
Osijek’s Goran Roce made it 3-0 with a tap in goal from in front, but a well-deserved consolation goal was scored by Inter in second half stoppage time when Ivan Čiliković scored on a penalty kick.
Inter was without their top striker, Ilija Nestorovsky due to a one game suspension.
An exciting match in Koprivnica featured NK Slaven Belupo and RNK Split and ended in a 1-1 tie after 90 minutes.
Muzafer Ejupi scored early for Slaven to make the score 1-0.
The one goal lead looked promising for the Pharmacists as they have won by that very score line in the past two matches the two teams have played in Koprivnica.
But Split would not allow history to repeat itself.
Ivan Pešić scored for Split in the 52nd minute to tie the match up and forced Slaven to share the points with Split.
Both teams fought for a second goal but only found themselves in disciplinary trouble and ended the match with 10 men a piece.
@ Maminjo
I like that mutual benefit idea for a proven coach who needs to re – jump start his career.
Take us through the Euro’s, get a new club contract and have the Croatian pipeline for ever !
Ugh. New coach. I’m expecting the worst (Cacic). I pray to God I’m wrong.
Somebody needs to call the English Ciro Blazevic (aka Harry Redknapp) to get over here and save both his career and the national team. Mutual benefit for both sides. Just take a 10-month contract for 500K and get Modric to play they way for us as he did for Spurs. You claim to love Croat players, prove it, and you get to showcase yourself in a major tourney. Plus, you and Mamic have some common ground with tax evasion. You can talk about that.
I’m hoping for any last-ditch effort right now for a coach with at least some semblance of a resume.
Your assuming the new coach would even want Jelavic. You have to produce in order to get called up.
so with kovac gone, will jelavic pull a pranjic and return to the repka?
Four Croatians on the field for the Real Madrid – Shaktahr Donetsk game today.
Srna and Modric started, Kovacic came in for Bale in the 31st minute – and the today’s referee (Bebek) is a Croat.
Coach to be announced next week. How about a hologram of Tomislav Ivic sitting on the bench?
Down my pants, there is a penis.
@ Ziva
Good question about repka retirement protocol.
Any elite national team model has the core its team be in their young 20’s.
Bobby V has made this point on more than one occasion.
Any player over 30 must be world class and have an appetite for the repka.
I absolutely respect players who retire from the repka to focus on their club careers, especially if they are over 30.
Players in their young 20’s should be hungry for the exposure that the Vatreni provides.
National team soccer is for the young legs.
These major club campaigns are crueling on the body.
I am happy that Modric will have Kovacic to spell him this season.
I am all in for the U17 World Cup in October.
Whom ever the new manager is going to be they will have to blood the new young talent into the senior side.
Uvijek vjerni .
Jebemu pas mater……he had 4 easier chances in the last 2 games for the Repka than the one he scored today.
A little more focused when your wallet needs to be refilled, wouldn’t you say?
Croatia needs to field a second striker one that creates their own opportunities and can assist as Mandzukic isn’t exactly versatile. Mandzukic plays like something from the disco era not really fun to watch.
Mandzukic, Olic, Jelavic.
Nobody taps in goals like our strikers!
“Maminjo says:
Mandžo breaking that slump at the best possible time. ”
Yeah, Nah. Pretty sure the best possible time would’ve been v Azer or Norway. Who gives a toss about some shitty club fuck
Re: Twinkle Toes Mandzuka
Confirmed. Tap in, albeit a nice one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uc91kL8To8
He could win the European Golden Boot this year and I really wouldn’t give a shit. He can convert a nice aerial tap-in vs. one of the better EPL teams but can’t score vs. world powers Norway and Azerbaijan? Kurac.
@ Ante
I wish I could, man….
My hair is wavy, not sure it could stay spikey like that. Would need a lot of hair product and my days of using gel are over ha
I’m guessing it was a tap in goal with great service. Otherwise, I doubt he scores.
To the video to confirm.
Mandžo breaking that slump at the best possible time.
MASSIVE win for Juventus.
Mario with a goal.
I didn’t ignore anything. I just watched it. Good for him. So, he plays for his uncle who died during the war???? Or so he says. Which is fine, I’ll believe him at his word for that.
But, he also said he was a fan of Partizan. So, I guess I have to believe him at his word for that as well.
So, should we call him Domoljub Hezonja or Grobar Hezonja.
By the way…………if Eurobasket is an indication of how he is going to play for Croatia, then maybe its better he doesn’t suit up.
@Armada
Funny how Živa ignored your video.
Kid is solid.
Armada, you need to rock Pogba’s current hairdid.
Mamic wants the best for Croatian football.
Guys, Mamic isn’t that bad
I agree and I’m pretty sure he will be but I’m just hopeful or wishful that other people are saying “dosta je toga”! I’m depressed with this current situation…the more I’ve learned about him the more it makes me turned off from caring…but soccer is in my blood and so is Hrvatska…hard to let it go!
I’m not optimistic, I guess is just my point….
I’m hopeful?
no clue Sude Mi, pressure from his peers or someone else?
@slavonac
Why would Mamic not interfere with any new coach/manager?
I dont think Strucnjak Stimac ever had the respect of the players. Maybe Srna did only because because Srna, Pletikosa and the Stimac brothers all stole money from Hajduk.
I don’t think Kum Kovac had the respect of the players because they knew he was hired becuase of family ties.
I think a good portion of the team had respect for Bilic because he was the youth team coach for a number of those guys.
question…………does anyone really think the next coach is going to have respect from the players. These players are not stupid, they know the next coach will be hired by someone who answers to Mamic.
@ Ziva
you might have to pull back on the “Grobar” nickname for Hezonja after this video…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=7kJoT5s-OGI
doesn’t get more “za dom .. spremni” than that.
I felt Bilic did what he wanted to do and to some degree, Kovac did as well. the differences were very clear and although Bilic didn’t have a ton of experience, he was still very good. Kovac made very poor decisions in big games, he wore blinders and was stubborn, forcing his poor ideas and he didn’t have much creativity.
if we bring someone that has credibility and isn’t influenced by Mamic, I think that overall the team and success will quickly change. we have some quality but have demonstrated a lack of will and fight…same thing happened when Stimac lost the respect of his players.
Especially if the savez becomes more and more of a joke.
Case in point, look at the Serbian NT and the shitshow their savez turned into. A lot of their better players stepped away (most controversially, Vidic).
Scary part is… sometimes I feel like we’re heading down the same road as them. Federation is a mess, league is garbage and corrupt, great NT on paper, don’t do dick in games, fans don’t give a fuck about the NT anymore.
Balkans are gonna Balkan, I guess?
I bet a few from this generation (Srna, Modric, Mandzuka, Rakitic) will call it a earlier NT career and stick around at their respective club at the time for another 2-3 years.
Agreed.
I like when players are honest and I would respect a player if he came out and said he no longer had a desire to play for the repka and preferred only club ball. I know that player would get all sorts of negative press and fan reaction, but there is something to be said for someone who goes against the norm and is honest with his feelings.
From my point of view…
I think there is no higher honor than representing your country at a Euro or WC. I think many feel that same when competing internationally. You play for the flag, for the shirt, for your country – not some club or for your next contract.
And those players that don’t see it that way? That’s cool. I’d rather they remove themselves from the team and let players who actually are proud to wear our sacred dres step onto the field.
I’d rather he bail on the repka than give a half-ass effort personally…for me I’d respect his honesty.
Truth is, in 50 years with the advent of the European Union many of the borders we see today will be inconsequential anyway.
Question for you guys………if one of our players came out and said he no longer wants to play for the repka because he prefers to lengthen his club career and avoid the unnecessary travel and grind associated with national team duty, would you respect him for being honest and open about that decision or bitch at him for only being interested in money. Nothing wrong with trying to get as much money as you can because the life span of an athlete is short.
That’s the proof that Modric didn’t leave everything he had on the pitch in Norway, he was full of shit.
http://www.thesportster.com/entertainment/top-15-athletes-who-have-pooped-their-pants-during-competition/
@ Svima
Talent pool is one aspect here.
Motivation is another.
Master coaching is the real game changer.
Sports have exploded internationally. More kids are playing across the planet and more countries are invested in their national team success.
Germany is the gold standard of nogomet infrastructure. Their savez lined up the Bundesliga to produce national team success. Training standards have normed throughout clubs across the country. They have the best coaching on the planet.
I now see Latvia and Czech, joining the likes of Lithuania in producing basketball success on an international level.
Croatia still has the ethos of exploiting their talent as opposed to investing in it.
This screws up the motivation of our young talent.
Hezonja looks like a lost punk from an inner US city. Zero connection to his teammates and hence to the SOUL of the game. All that facial acne speaks to his lost boy syndrome.
Skiles is just the coach to give him some man training and also may work on his handle to match his 2 guard jumper and his rim finishing.
Croatia needs to grow up. Our society operates on a 13 year old level. The organizing power of the true King Archetype needs to come to the fore front of our collective psyche.
Peasants and high chair tyrants are running amok.
Sports represent deeper issues for us.
Maybe these loses will activate our champions to rise to the challenge.
Bog i Hrvati
Hope the BBB behave themselves on Wednesday. But if not, as Ziva likes to say, it is great entertainment.
http://www.24sata.hr/nogomet/kek-ne-zeli-na-klupu-hrvatske-nije-to-zajncija-necija-prcija-437220
Smart man
Whatever happened to Boomer Esiason, still the best quaterback name of all time.
In case you guys haven’t heard my gambling adventure this week took me to games in Italy, Spain, England and USA. I just won $280 on a $10 investment when Atlanta Falcons beat Philadelphia Eagles. Matt Ryan tried to fuck me up with a bone head pass interception to start the 3rd quarter, but luckily the Falcons recovered their composure and went on to record a 2pt win.
@ Croatia vs. Antwerp – Totally makes sense – thanks.
Only one player made the field in our last two qualifiers who was in that 21-25 age range – Brozovic.
Emigration during that period was high as well.
I knew quite a few Croats (in the 8-12 year old age range) who emigrated here to North America during that period, who were EXTREMELY talented and were head and shoulders better than everyone here…but decided against moving back to Croatia after the war ended (since their parents had already jump started a new life here). There were even a few guys who were made offers by some youth academies as well, but still didn’t really wanna go.
These guys all just settled for scholarships and decided to finish University instead (as they were not really training full time in high school).
If these guys never left Cro, all of them would have been training full time during their high school years, and probably playing in the HNL by the time they were 18. Heck, some probably would’ve been decent footballers in foreign clubs.
Now multiply this by the thousands of cases where young talented kids emigrated to countries where football is not as serious as it is in Cro, and yea, the gap definitely makes sense.
Heck, even some of our 1994-95 kids (ie. Kovacic, Pasalic) are foreign-raised kids.
@ Bobby V
In response to your comment:
“we do not have enough talented players between the ages of 21-25 on the national team….which would be players born between 1990-1994. We all know what period of time that was.”
One possible explanation is a lower birth rate in the population because of War. Thus there would be a smaller talent pool for that age bracket. It’s no wonder that we have plenty of talent emerging born ’95 and beyond, when birth rates picked up again.
Bobby V , your Right on ! Totally !! Igor Tudor for New HNS Coach !!! Bog !
Bobby V^^^^^^
….or in the few years afterwards. I realize some of them would be too young to start playing at that time anyway. Just trying to fgure out why the 5 lost years.
Enough talent is on either side of that.
Croatian sporting success is now measured by how much money our players are making at club level.
It no longer has nothing to do with wins for the national side.
We have not beaten the following sides in our last competitve matches:
Basketball – Georgia, Czech Republic, Senegal, France
Soccer – Norway, Azerbaijan, Mexico, Scotland, Serbia, Turkey and Greece
Sramota.
As my uncle who lives in Zadar pointed out a few years ago, we do not have enough talented players between the ages of 21-25 on the national team.
….which would be players born between 1990-1994. We all know what period of time that was. Related in some way? Don’t think too many of our young kids were out playing or had anythng organized during that time.
Let’s not overlook the Croatian sporting success that is Slaven Bilic.
5 matches in, 9 pts and 5th in the Prem with a league leading 11 goals for.
He’s like Obi-Wan Kenobi. He’s our only hope.
@Ante B
If Čačić is appointed, I don’t know what the players must think.
I could see a lot of “international retirement” happening after these Euros are over, that would not have happened otherwise.
@ns
Stupidity?
Kek actually has experience. He took Slovenia to the 2010 World Cup and almost topped their qualifying group. They eliminated Poland and the Czech Republic and qualified via playoff against Guus Hiddink’s Russia.
In the World Cup, they missed out on the Round of 16 after being screwed by the refs against Capello’s England (who just barely squeaked by Slovenia with a 1-0 victory), giving England a measly one point advantage to get by. Mind you, this was all achieved with crap Slovenian players.
His success at club level goes without saying. Wins against Stuttgart, Žilina, Feyenoord, Sherrif, Standard Liège and draws against Betis, Lyon, Sevilla (when most teams on par with Rijeka’s level would get destroyed). Kek did all this with Dinamo’s reject players too.
You’re probably following the wrong “football” to know what I’m talking about so I’ll give you a free pass.
Kek would be amazing???????? The stupidity on this site.
Head. Cement wall. Repeat.
Ante Cacic or Zoran Vulic.
Those are the remaining two candidates. All others either turned it down, or had other commitments.
Kek would’ve been amazing for Cro.
Hopefully when his contract is up with Rijeka, he takes over this team (after Čačinjo is fired).
So who’s left now aside from Čačić and Gračan?
Guess the “Respect” slogan made it out of the editing room after having dropped “the crook!”
FIFA? Bad?
I mean, their motto is:
“For the game. For the wallet.”
How can you not appreciate people like that?
You guys think Mamic and Suker are crooks?!? I on’t think we have seen anything yet…don’t be surprised if FIFA doesn’t just collapse in on itself!!!
Would be the best thing too….
http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/attorney-general-expects-new-arrests-in-fifa-probe/
Here We Go to the Top ! Bog , Hrvati , USA , i HAJDUK !!!
http://www.jutarnji.hr/prvi-covjek-koji-je-odbio-hrvatsku-slovenac-porucio—-nije-to-zaj–ncija—necija-prcija-/1417014/
hahaha at least Kek can tell you how it us