HNK Rijeka are making an impressive run for their third Croatian Cup since the competition started in 1992.
The club paid a visit to Maksimir stadium today to take on Dinamo Zagreb in the first leg of the Croatian Cup finals and came out with a stunning 1-0 win.
The goal came from former Dinamo player, Ivan Tomečak, in the 40th minute of the match.
Tomečak’s goal was all that was needed for Rijeka, as their defense took care of the rest, and shut out Dinamo. This was Dinamo’s first time being shut out since their 2-0 loss to Paris St. Germain On Nov. 7.
Rijeka was able to bunker down despite first going down to 10 men in the 85th minute after Domir Zlomišlić was shown a straight card, and then going down to nine players when Marin Leovac was sent off after seeing two yellow cards in the 90th minute.
Rijeka surely could give credit to their fans that traveled to Zagreb with them and took over Maksimir Stadium. Several reports give varying accounts of stadium attendance, ranging from 6,000 – 10,000 spectators, but it cannot be denied that nearly 5,000 members of Armada were there to back the Rijeka club.
Rijeka was not the only adversary that was able to silence Dinamo today. There was also a heavy police presence that kept the BBB, or what is left of the BBB, at bay. Many members of the group, including nearly 1,000 that are banned, were either turned away at the gates of Maksimir, or refused to enter the stadium due to the increased security.
Those who did enter the stadium were greeted by a wall of police officers that surrounded the group that calmly watched the match.
The two clubs will meet again for the return leg in Rijeka on May 13.
If Rijeka can hold their lead, they will be the first club other than Dinamo or Hajduk to win the Croatian Cup since 2006. Rijeka just so happen to also be the last club other than Dinamo or Hajduk to win the Cup.
@Slavonac
Yea. The teams in this group is not good for Jelavic. Especially a Jelavic who has struggled this season.
Croatia has its first HOS( Hrvatske Obrambene Snage – Croatian Defence Forces) monument and it’s about time!
http://dnevno.hr/vijesti/hrvatska/122328-foto-baldasar-na-otkrivanju-spomenika-poginulim-hos-ovcima-danas-se-slavi-dan-pobjede-nad-antifasizmom.html
Ivica- I agree…even though Rebic has little form or playing time this year I still think his overall quality, speed and direct attacking attitude push him higher than Jelavic in the pecking order…
Jelavić won’t play.
He’s probably fourth striker in the pecking order behind Mandžukić, Olić, and Eduardo. I could even see him behind Rebić for those last few minutes in a game.
Anyone know when the squad deadlines are? A few teams have already named their 23 man list.
Studs – Kovacic, Olic
Duds – Jelavic, Corluka, and hopefully no one else…
Biggest fear in game 1 is Neymar’s speed exposing our back line.
duds-Perisic, Jelavic, Rakitic
studs-Pletikosa, Srna, Mandzukic, Modric, Corluka, Kovacic
possible studs-Olic, Eduardo, Pranjic
What about World Cup duds?
Who do you think will have a poor tournament?
I could see Lovren pulling a Boris Živković in the Mexico match. I could also see whoever we play on the right side (Iličević, Perišić, Vrsaljko) being invisible and relying on Srna to make the runs and crosses on offense.
I’m “hoping” that our wingers (whoever starts) has a great tournament, simply because it will free up Modrić/Rakitić in the middle and Mandžukić is automatic when it comes to headers. I’m hoping Perišić tears it up on that left side for us, but I doubt it.
But I think Kovačić will have a good tournament. He’s in form, and seems like he’s been irritated by his situation this year. I could see him stepping up for us with some nice runs and thru balls. Hopefully he doesn’t get gassed like he was in those Iceland games.
Olić will have a good one too. He’s in the best form of his life and it will be his last World Cup. Mandžukić, despite being benched against Brazil, will still probably score a couple goals during the group stages.
Schildenfeld, if he starts, will be the unsung hero as usual.
Štimac Brazilcima: ‘Moji igrači nisu davali 100%’
Good question. I just don’t know. To me, everything depends on that Cameroon game.
I think we lose to Brazil 2-0 or 3-1 and then it boils down to how we respond to Cameroon.
I see us getting out of group play, but I think Mandzukic will have an underwhelming World Cup.
It’s now or never with Rakitic, so I think he actually steps up for the repka. I he doesn’t do it now while he is in the greatest form of his life, he never will.
Who do you guys think is going to have the best World Cup from the squad? Try to narrow it down to 2-3. My picks: Kovacic, Mandzo and Schildenfeld. I think they’re going to tear it up.
No, Europa League or Champions league for Lazio next season, which means they won’t be rotating players as much. Which, could be, less of an opportunity for Pasalic to get playing time.
This is the risk any of our kids take when they sign with a big club at a very early age. They risk having no playing in return for a guarenteed pay check. Chelsea probabaly has 5 or 6 Pasalics in their system.
Looks like another teen prospect of ours is, yet again, going to Serie A.
Chelsea might be loaning out Mario Pašalić to Lazio next season.
Not sure how I feel about this. Playing in the Dutch league may have been better for him, but apparently, Chelsea’s relationship with Vitesse is strained and they might not be loaning players out to them anymore (probably the reason why Perica wasn’t loaned out to them).
Hopefully he gets loaned out to a German club, however our technical style of play moreso aligns with how Italians develop their trequartista players. This kid better get some playing time. He’s as big a prospect as Hal.
For the first time in my life I’ve sat down to watch The Sopranos. I can’t believe how identical Igor Stimac is to Tony Soprano, look the same, move the same, speak the same. I even had to look up James Gandolfini to see if he had any Croatian roots.
@ nepoznat
I am looking to get the switzlerand croatia friendly from a couple months ago. you said you had the collection? would you be able to help? my email is repkacro@gmail.com
man anyone see these bogus FiFA rankings what a joke ahahah
I guess Joe Simunic is having his opportunity to get the suspension overturned today…we will know the outcome by Monday!
He was never a hrvat to begin with. I applaud FIFA.
Friends, great news to pass along……
http://sportske.jutarnji.hr/srebric-nikada-nije-rekao-istinu-vrbanovic—sertich-je-za-fifu-bio-i-ostao-francuz-/1189682/
This is good news for those of us who live a “za dom…..spremni” lifestyle.
These foreigners are also causing all sorts of trouble off the pitch.
Istria 1961’s Brazilian forward “Jo” was just arrested for threatening 2 teammates with a knife!
If Croatia upset Brazil, you don’t wanna be next to this guy.
@Ivica – Exactly how I see it with the foreigners in the HNL – completely useless and counterproductive. Well stated my friend.
Took a ferry in the early 70’s that went from Dubrovnik to Zadar (stopped in Split – took all day), but, that is now long gone
. It would be nice to do both – drive and take the ferry. Wouldn’t mind the drop offs at the other islands.
Thank God !!
Bog , Hrvati , USA , Hajduk , i HNS !!!
@Bobby
You’ve waiting for a katamaran from Split to Dubrovnik?
It sucks having to cross over in Neum when driving, but that coastal drive is still a lot nicer than sitting in a katamaran for 4 hours while it drops people off on Brac, Hvar, and Korcula.
@Bobby V
It really is just that. That they think they are making some sort of progress by having outside talent join their team. It’s all optics.
This is my main beef with Dinamo and the second rate foreign talent they have on their team. They bring in guys like Junior Fernandes and Cleyton, yet take away minutes from Brozovic and Halilovic. They took away minutes from Kovacic last year and played him out of position for Sammir. Yet, Brozovic, Halilovic, and Kovacic are all (and always have been) better than these bums.
They likely pay these foreigners a higher salary, and sell them for much less money than their home grown talent. Kovacic is sold for 11M euro and Sammir gone for free. Fernandes is an on loan player that Dinamo will lose money on once they trigger that buyout…yet, Brozovic will probably net them 5+ million within the next year or two.
They’d still take the HNL title with or without these foreigners, yet they insist on impeding their own players’ development (and overall sale value) in favour of these bums.
and for what? For the optics of being some modern club who buys international ‘talent’.
http://www.korculainfo.com/ferries/ferry-split-milna-hvar-korcula-dubrovnik.html
Good news – been waiting for this.
Forza Fiume!
http://www.croatiaweek.com/nk-istras-brazilian-import-pulls-knife-on-team-mates/
As poor as the quality of the league is, what is the reason Croatian club teams are signing these foreigners? Can’t we get equal home-grown talent cheaper? Do some of these managers think they are in the EPL or La Liga and fantasize about have a mulri-ethnic all-star team? They are useless.
Atletico will win both La Liga and Champions League final. Much better form than either Real or Barca. Very impressive away to Chelsea recently.
Feel like Barca will now be inspired by this chance.
If they let this slip then it IS time to panic Catalonia!
Tie breaker is head to head in laliga am I right?
Both Madrid teams are morons for letting this slip away.
Barcelona vs Atletico will be the deciding match. Still not easy for Barca to have to WIN against Atletico despite being at home.
Crazy final stretch these past 2-3 weeks in La Liga. Every passing week seems to change everything for these three teams.
BRAVO RIJEKA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Looks like the title is Barca’s to lose.
As long as they get the same result or better than Atletico in the 2nd last game of the season and then beat Atletico on the final day they’ll win on goal diff.
Who woulda thought that a week or 2 ago…
Real Madrid basically shit away any chance they had of La Liga today. They better win the Champions League or their season will be considered a failure by their over the top fans.