The HNL returns after a brief break and the first week shined a light on how the season may be played out. Dinamo Zagreb began their defense of the title on Sunday with a 6-0 win over NK Lokomotiva. If this match showed anything, it showed that Lokomotiva is not the same team that finished the season with dramatic second place … [Read more...] about HNL Week 1 – It’s Back … Again!
Rijeka
Rijeka Lift The Cup, Istra Try To Avoid Relegation
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HNK Rijeka enacted a bit of revenge on NK Lokomotiva on Saturday by lifting the Croatia Cup as champions for the sixth time. Lokomotiva was a thorn in Rijeka's side all season, garnering two draws and a win over Rijeka in their efforts to clinch second place, but Rijkea were able to turn the tables and defeat Lokomotiva for the first time in five … [Read more...] about Rijeka Lift The Cup, Istra Try To Avoid Relegation
Lokomotiva To Champions League, Hajduk, Osijek Compete in Europa
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What does Zagreb, Manchester, Madrid and Istanbul all have in common? They are the only cities in Europe with two clubs competing in the upcoming Champions League season. That's right. Not only is the Prva Liga fielding two clubs in the elite European competition, but both clubs hail from Zagreb as NK Lokomotiva clinched the second-place spot late on the … [Read more...] about Lokomotiva To Champions League, Hajduk, Osijek Compete in Europa
HNL Week 33: What Is Even Going On?
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The HNL is not known for its officiating, or for its budget-blasting spending, nor its modern stadiums nor even really its top play on the pitch, but this is just getting ridiculous. As previously asked last week on this site https://croatiansports.com/?p=37075 it appears teams are trying to avoid clinching the newly-awarded second Champions League … [Read more...] about HNL Week 33: What Is Even Going On?
HNL Week 30: DINAMO ARE CHAMPIONS
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Dinamo Zagreb have secured another Prva Liga title this weekend, despite playing to a 0-0 draw against HNK Gorica on Saturday. A win would have secured the trophy, but the draw forced the Plavi to wait an extra day while NK Lokomotiva officially secured it for them with a 3-2 victory over Hajduk Split as well as a little help from Slaven Belupo who defeated Rijkea … [Read more...] about HNL Week 30: DINAMO ARE CHAMPIONS
HNL Week 29: Varaždin, The Giant Killers (UPDATED)
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NK Varaždin has now recorded four victories in 29 matches this season; two of those victories have been against Dinamo Zagreb and now Hajduk Split. Not to mention, stealing a point from HNK Rijeka only last week. Week 29 kicked off on a Tuesday this week, with the first match featuring a rare win for NK Istra 1961. Istra defeated NK Inter Zaprešić 2-0 on Tuesday … [Read more...] about HNL Week 29: Varaždin, The Giant Killers (UPDATED)
HNL Matchweek 27
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Has anyone ever been so happy to see the return of the Prva Liga? After a miserably wet and quarantined weekend, I was on edge waiting for the kickoff between NK Lokomotiva and NK Osijek on Sunday afternoon. Popped a beer and turned on a surprisingly-HD stream of the match at an empty Kranjčevićeva between two sides dukeing it out in hopes of clinching second … [Read more...] about HNL Matchweek 27
HNL Returns: Week 20 and Transfers
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The HNL Has survived another Croatian winter and returned Friday with its usual triumph and glory. The match week kicked off between Inter Zaprešić who welcomed NK Istra 1961 with a 2-0 defeat thanks to Josip Mitrović and an own goal scored by Petar Bošanšić. The January transfer window made little impact on either side who together brought in three … [Read more...] about HNL Returns: Week 20 and Transfers
HNL Week 17
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Questions are abound after an absolute thumping of Hajduk Split by Rijeka on Sunday evening, but no one knows where to put the blame. Rijeka waltzed into Poljud on Sunday and handed Hajduk an eviction notice by way of a 4-0 beat down that left the nearly 14,000 in attendance shocked and angry. The loss was also the first loss Hajduk has suffered at Poljud since July … [Read more...] about HNL Week 17
