31 DAYS UNTIL CROATIA-ENGLAND III

Well boys and girls, we are just about a month away from Croatia-England III. Most of us still have that bitter Turkey taste in our mouth from EURO 2008. However, this is just the beginning. Besides the Kovač brothers and Šimunič, we are all young and looking to stamp our names in the world cup history books.

With all do respect for Kazakhstan, World Cup Qualification starts on September 10th in Zagreb, where heavyweights Croatia and England will collide.

Today, the HNS has announced ticket prices for this 'American pay-per-view' event.

VIP - 1,500 kuna (roughly $300) This is where celebrities, former coaches and players will sit.

West side VIP - 600 kuna (roughly $120)

West side lower - 400 kuna (roughly $90)

West side upper - 300 kuna (roughly $60)

East side - 250 kuna (roughly $50)

South side - 300 kuna (roughly $60)

North side lower - 80 kuna (roughly $18)

North side upper - 80 kuna (roughly $18)

CroatianSoccerReport.com is in talks of acquiring a reporter for the match in Zagreb. We will keep you posted.

Also, for those of you dying to find out the kickoff time, Croatia-England will kick off at 21:00 (CET) Zagreb time. On September 6th, Croatia-Kazakhstan will kick off at 20:15 (CET) Zagreb time.

~Denis Svirčić, reporting from Šibenik

**CHAMPIONS LEAGUE** DINAMO-LINFIELD

Yes, it's that time again boys and girls: CHAMPIONS LEAGUE! Well, qualifiers to be precise.

Dinamo and Linfield just kicked off in Belfast. I am watching live in Šibenik and will update following the match.

Linfield

Mannus - Douglas, Murphy, Bailie, Lindsay - McAreavey, Gault, Downey, Mulgrew, 0'Kane - P. Thompson

Dinamo

Butina - Etto, Drpić, Bišćan, Carlos - Chago, Vrdoljak - Mandžukić, Mikić, Morales - Balaban

OLIĆ WILL STAY AT HAMBURG

Hamburg striker, Ivica Olić , told German media today that he "cannot be bothered" to move clubs again and will resume playing for Hamburg at the start of the season.

The 28-year-old, a key striker for Croatia, failed to impress during the Euro 2008, and many expected a Liverpool transfer. However, Ivica is more than happy in Hamburg and vows to continue to play for the Bundesliga giants.

"I cannot be bothered to move again, I am staying in Hamburg." he told the Hamburger Abendblatt newspaper.

"My priority is not to transfer. My priority is Hamburg ," Ivica was quoted in the German Bild newspaper.

"My family is happy here and I want to give everything for this club," concluded Ivica and squashed any rumors linking him with Liverpool .

DINAMO DUMPS "CROATIAN GATTUSO"

Croatian international, Ognjen Vukojević, will continue to play for Dinamo next year. However, not for Dinamo Zagreb, because the Croatian champions have agreed to sell the 24 year old defensive midfielder to Dinamo Kiev for a smashing 8 million euros. Ognjen will sign a four year deal sometime next week.

"I don't have anything against the east. Why wouldn't I go there," said Ognjen late Friday night from Zagreb.

Vokojević's agent, Danka Đikić, had this to say, "I can not confirm the information, the club will have to respond."

Glasgow Celtic, last week, had offered 5 million euros for his services, however, as we all know, Dinamo is all about the $$$$. Croatian internationals, Jerko Leko and Goran Sablić, have both enjoyed stints with the Ukrainian giants.

After Modrić, Čale and most likely Koch, Vukojević will become the forth Dinamo player who will say farewell to the bad blue boys.

BUTINA RETURNS.......

Today, Croatian champions, Dinamo Zagreb have completed the signing of former Olympiacos and Croatian international goalkeeper Tomislav Butina.

It will be the 34 year old goalkeeper's third stint with the most successful club in Croatia. Butina has played for Zagreb from 1991-1994 and 1997-2003.

Where is Hajduk? How long will they continue to suck on Dinamo dust?

33RD AND FINAL ROUND HNL RESULTS

Well friends, yesterday was the final day of the HNL season. I keep saying to myself, "next year will be better, next year will be better." However, thinking as a realist, with Modrić taking off and the likelihood of Kalinić, Rukavina, Mandžukić, Vukojević, Etto and numerous other prospects to follow, I don't see a light in the tunnel.

Here are the results for May 10th...

Cibalia Vinkovci [3 - 0] Međimurje

Inter Zaprešić [1 - 2] NK Osijek

NK Zagreb [2 - 1] Hajduk Split

Dinamo Zagreb [6 - 1] NK Rijeka

Varteks Varaždin [5 - 2] NK Zadar

HNK Šibenik [0 - 0] Slaven Belupo

THE FINAL TIME LUKA WILL FLY FOR DINAMO

In just a few hours time, NK Rijeka will kick off against Dinamo at the famous Maksimir stadium in Zagreb. More importantly, this will be Luka Modrić's final game in the Dinamo blue.

As a Hajduk fan, I have been waiting for this day for many years. As a Luka fan, I have been waiting for his transfer to a bigger club, where Luka can finally spread his wings and fly.

What will you remember the most about Luka and his days in Zagreb?

Good luck Luka. We at CroatianSoccerReport wish you as much success with Tottenham as you had here in Zagreb with Dinamo.

BILIC NAMES FINAL SQUAD FOR EURO 2008

Croatian manager, Slaven Bilić, has announced the final squad for this summer's European Championship in Austria and Switzerland.

Who made the final cut?

Croatia

Keepers

.............................(caps, goals)....Club

Stipe Pletikosa.............(age 29) (67,0) Spartak Moscow
Vedran Runje................(age 32) (4,0) RC Lens
Mario Galinović.............(age 31) (2,0) Panathinaikos

Defenders

Robert Kovač (vice-captain).(age 34) (72,0) Borussia Dortmund
Dario Šimić (vice-captain)..(age 32) (97,3) AC Milan
Josip Šimunić...............(age 30) (60,3) Hertha Berlin
Vedran Ćorluka..............(age 22) (18,0) Manchester City
Dario Knežević..............(age 26) (6,1) Livorno
Hrvoje Vejić................(age 30) (1,0) Tom Tomsk

Midfielders

Niko Kovač(captain).........(age 36) (75,12) Red Bull Salzburg
Luka Modrić.................(age 22) (24,3) Tottenham Hotspur
Niko Kranjčar...............(age 23) (40,6) Portsmouth
Darijo Srna.................(age 26) (54,15) Shakhtar Donetsk
Danijel Pranjić.............(age 26) (9,0) Heerenveen
Ivan Rakitić................(age 20) (6,1) Schalke 04
Jerko Leko..................(age 28) (51,2) AS Monaco
Ognjen Vukojević............(age 24) (3,1) Dinamo Zagreb
Nikola Pokrivač.............(age 22) (0,0) AS Monaco

Strikers

Mladen Petrić...............(age 27) (23,9) Borussia Dortmund
Ivica Olić..................(age 28) (52,9) Hamburger SV
Ivan Klasnić................(age 28) (27,8) Werder Bremen
Igor Budan..................(age 28) (4,0) Parma
Nikola Kalinić..............(age 20) (0,0) Hajduk Split

Reserves

DF Manuel Pamić (age 21) (0,0) Red Bull Salzburg
MF Anas Sharbini (age 21) (0,0) NK Rijeka

How do you feel about the squad? Who should have been included? Who should have been left out?

I will share my analysis today or tomorrow!

CROATIAN CUP FINAL......

DINAMO --- HAJDUK

It looks like the new Hajduk away jersey is a curse....

3-0 Dinamo first leg result

Let me know what you think of the new away kit....

31ST ROUND HNL RESULTS

Here are the results for April 30th...

Cibalia Vinkovci [2 - 0] HNK Šibenik

Hajduk Split [0 - 2] NK Osijek

NK Zagreb [3 - 1] Varteks Varaždin

Dinamo Zagreb [1 - 0] Inter Zaprešić

NK Rijeka [5 - 2] Međimurje

Slaven Belupo [2 - 0] NK Zadar

29TH ROUND HNL RESULTS

Here are the results for April 19th...

Međimurje [0 - 1] HNK Šibenik

Hajduk Split [1 - 2] Cibalia Vinkovci

Inter Zaprešić [1 - 0] Varteks Varaždin

NK Osijek [2 - 1] NK Zagreb

NK Zadar [2 - 5] Dinamo Zagreb

Slaven Belupo [1 - 1] NK Rijeka

28TH ROUND HNL RESULTS

Here are the results for April 16th...

Cibalia Vinkovci [0 - 1] Varteks Varaždin

HNK Šibenik [0 - 0] Inter Zaprešić

NK Zagreb [6 - 1] Međimurje

Dinamo Zagreb [3 - 2] NK Osijek

NK Rijeka [5 - 3] NK Zadar

Hajduk Split [2 - 0] Slaven Belupo

DINAMO CLINCH CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!!!!

DINAMO ZAGREB 3PEAT

News for Croatian soccer league couldn't get any worse as NK Dinamo Zagreb, with a 2-1 win today at bottom side NK Medimurje, clinched the championship trophy with six games left in the regular season. This will make Dinamo a tenth time champion since Croatian independence and third in a row.

As a Hajduk fan, I am not saddened by Dinamo's triumph. I am however, disappointed by the way Dinamo has bulldozed its way through the league, and ultimately ruining the season.

My hat goes off to Dinamo as they more than deserve the championship. However, I am concerned for the HNL. The quality of our league has already slipped past most Eastern European countries. What will the attendance, ratings, and interest be like the rest of the season? We haven't hit rock bottom, but we get closer each and every year!

27TH ROUND HNL RESULTS

Here are the results for April 12th...

Međimurje [1 - 2] Dinamo Zagreb

Slaven Belupo [2 - 0] Cibalia Vinkovci

Inter Zaprešić [0 - 0] NK Zagreb

NK Osijek [1 - 0] NK Rijeka

NK Zadar [1 - 3] Hajduk Split

Varteks Varaždin [1 - 1] HNK Šibenik

26TH ROUND HNL RESULTS

Here are the results for March 29th...

Međimurje [2 - 2] Hajduk Split

HNK Šibenik [0 - 2] NK Zagreb

Inter Zaprešić [2 - 1] NK Rijeka

NK Osijek [1 - 0] Slaven Belupo

NK Zadar [1 - 0] Cibalia Vinkovci

Varteks Varaždin [1 - 1] Dinamo Zagreb

24TH ROUND HNL RESULTS

Here are the results for March 19th...

Međimurje [2 - 3] NK Zadar

NK Zagreb [0 - 0] Dinamo Zagreb

HNK Šibenik [0 - 0] NK Rijeka

Inter Zaprešić [0 - 0] Slaven Belupo

NK Osijek [2 - 1] Cibalia Vinkovci

Varteks Varaždin [4 - 0] Hajduk Split

DINAMO SQUEAKS BY HAJDUK

Dinamo 1

Hajduk 0

38' Vrdoljak header from a corner

(pictured---Vrdoljak mobbed by Dinamo after goal)

DINAMO - HAJDUK ***LIVE***

Hajduk-Dinamo

LIVE

Line-ups

Dinamo

Koch, Carlos, Bišćan, Mikulić, Etto, Guela, Vukojević, Modrić, Vrdoljak, Mandžukić, Balaban

Hajduk

Varvodić, Jozinović, Tudor, Maloča, Pelaić, Andrić, Linić, Gabrić, Čop, Rukavina, Kalinić

Events

1'Derby is underway. Dinamo kicks off!

4'Hajduk comes out of the gate like a raging Bull.

4'Shot on goal by Ognjen Vukojević easily saved by Hajduk keeper Varvodić

6'Hajduk returns on the counterattack. Kalinić shot is first blocked by Igor Bišćan, then cleared from danger by Mikulić

8'An excellent through ball by Luka Modrić found Balaban. However, Hajduk's Maloča kicks out for a Dinamo corner.

11'Siniša Linić is the first to be cautioned with a yellow card for holding Vrdoljak.

20'After getting by terrible Dinamo defense, Srđan Andrić shoots wide from 18 meters.

21'Hajduk again on the counterattack pressures the Dinamo defense. Kalinić and Rukavina work a one two that leads to a long shot from Kalinić that doesn't trouble Koch.

23'Ante Rukavina is second Hajduk player booked today because of simulation.

30'Hajduk misses opportunity to go up one-nil. Andrić close shot blocked by Koch.

36'Dinamo corner delivered by Modrić, headed to far post by Bišćan, misseed opportunity by Mandžukić from four meters out.

38'GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL. Dinamo. A corner by Guele turns into a Vrdoljaka header in the Hajduk goal. Dinamo 1 Hajduk 0

44'Tomislav Mikulić is cautioned by the Rijeka Referee

HALFTIMEAfter 45 minutes of action, it's Hajduk Split 0 Dinamo Zagreb 1

Second Half...

46'Second half resumes after a ten minute delay because of smoke from the bad blue boys section of the stadium. Dinamo shot on goal.

48'Great play by Mandžukić and Vrdoljak results in a Mandžukića low shot from 13 meters out which doesn't trouble Hajduk keeper Varvodić.

50'Hajduk free kick. Andrić shoots low right which Dinamo keeper kick saves out.

55'Čop gets booked for a harsh challenge and Andrić gets booked for arguing.

60'Balaban is done for the night. Josip Tadić relieves will try to do better than Balaban. Hajduk counters with a Bušić for Kalinić swap.

69'Dinamo make their second substitution of the evening. Guele is brought in for Mihael Mikić.

70'Hajduk now counters with a sub. Čop is done for the night, with Milić looking to cause havoc for Dinamo.

76'Nothing interesting to report. As both Dinamo and Hajduk players look uninterested and inattentive.

77'Hajduk manager, Rober Jarni still barking at the officials over Čop yellow card.

79'Hajduk makes final change as Jarni inserts Marin Ljubičić for Srđan Andrić.

80'Hajduk's Milić receives yellow card for rough challenge on Dinamo Mikić.

83'Onoe of the most dull and uneventful Hajduk-Dinamo derbies of all time. Both Torcida and Bad Blue Boys are disappointed and embarrassed by both teams lack of effort. Fans from both sides are rushing the exits.

84'Vukojević is in the books for Dinamo after a rough challenge on Pelaić.

90'Rijeka referee announces 4 minutes of extra time

92'Soldo gives Domagoj Antolić a minute of action as he is brought in for Dinamo captain Luka Modrić.

Dinamo 1 Hajduk 0 Final!Referee blows for time and ends one of the most disappointing derbies in recent memory.

HAJDUK @ DINAMO CLXII III. VIII. 2008

The Croatian league has been a joke for almost ten years. Each and every year that goes by, the league drops points in quality, attendance, UEFA coefficient points and most importantly respect from the rest of the world.

However, I would trade two tickets to a Champions League game for a chance to watch Hajduk play Dinamo (In Split of course, as I would wear the '1911'). Luckily, I can say that I have experienced "the eternal derby" ten years ago or so at the Poljud in Split.

Next Saturday, March the 8th, will mark the 162nd time these 2 teams have faced each other, with Hajduk winning 58 and Dinamo victorious 65 times.

We here at CSR will provide an extensive preview for this historic derby. Stay Tuned!

ZVONIMIR SOLDO AT DINAMO FOR 4 YEARS?

Croatian Newspaper, Slobodna Dalmacija, reported today that Dinamo sports director, Zoran Mamić, has offered Zvonimir Soldo a two year contract with an option for 2 more years.

Zvonimir Soldo is expected to sign within the next few days.

~ Once again, You Heard it Here First ~