DINAMO OFF TO FACE SHAKHTAR

Domžale needed a miraculous win in Zagreb Wednesday night if they were going to keep their Champion's League campaign alive. Well, they didn't quite make it. Dinamo easily took care of the Slovenian side, 3-2, and wins the two-legged series 6-2 on aggregate. Goals by captain Igor Bišćan (17'), former Hajduk star Mirko Hrgović (50') and Dino Drpić (83') were enough for the one goal win.

Domžale was brave enough to tie the game on two occasions (29',81') but it was not near enough of an effort to get them the result they needed. Dinamo Zagreb fly to Donetsk next week to face Ukrainian champs, Shakhtar Donetsk, who are captained by Croatian international, Darijo Srna. The official date has not yet been set but is expected to be August 12th or 13th. This will be the 3rd and final qualifying round for Champion's League before Group Stage starts September 16th. Should Dinamo upset the Ukrainian side, it will be the first time since the 1999-2000 season that a Croatian team has made it to the Champion's League Group Stage. Dinamo Zagreb (then called Croatia Zagreb) only managed one win in the group against the likes of Manchester United, Marseille and Sturm Graz.

Stay tuned as this is where Champion League games get interesting.

MALTA ARTICLE & REPLY FROM EDITOR

I managed to get ahold of the article from the Maltese Sports editor, and luckily receieved a very prompt and friendly response from the fellow.

First, here is the article..

'No More Croats Please'

Having witnessed what happened at the Valletta end of the national stadium's Enclosure last Thursday during the Birkirkara-Hajduk Split UEFA Cup match, I felt I must not only condemn such absolutely unprovoked incidents, but also appeal to the MFA and UEFA to ban Croat fans from visiting the island whenever a team from that country is drawn to play Malta or any of its clubs.

In two of the last three occasions Croatia was involved in a football match at Ta'Qali, fans from that country indulged in uncalled for incidents which have tarnished our reputation.

The first occasion was the Malta-Croatia World Cup Qualifier over two years ago. Those incidents were at a higher scale than last Thursday, but perhaps, this time, the gravity was on a larger scale. This is because this time, there was a violent attack on members of the Malta Police force, amongst whom was Assistant Commissioner Josie Brincat.

It had been quite a long time that we had similar incidents at Ta'Qali, especially in domestic matches. The maltese sporting public has proved itself very considerate in recent years and this has also been admitted by MFA president Dr. Joseph Mifsud, who, on more than one occasion, has praised Maltese football fans for their behavior at Ta'Qali.

But when such incidents occur, one cannot stop there as if nothing had happened.

I am sure that the UEFA delegate will be making a detailed report to the European governing body over what had happened. He must have seen everything, as we did from the press box-of course we were in advantegous position.

Those Croatian tough guys need to be given a lesson by their own government and association. Those are no real football fans. It was obvious they came here with a clear aim in mind. Because, as I said earlier, there was simply no justification for their action. There was no provocation whatsoever from the Maltese fans. Their team was winning 2-0 at the time of the incidents and their qualification was never in doubt, not even before the kickoff.

I only pitty the club who will now have to face sanctions which will be imposed by UEFA, possibly very heavy, after those incidents over two years ago.

~Here is the reply from the Maltese Independent, sports editor, Henry Brincat..

Dear Mr Svirčić,

I have gone through all your contribution and it is clear that you do not know who the policeman who was beaten up by the Croatian fans was.He was none other than Josie Brincat, an assistant commissioner, that is, the No. 2 of the police force in Malta. Being in such an exalted position, the crime here is considered to be of an extremely serious nature. I am sure he did not go among the fans to arrest anyone. He only went there to calm down the situation as flares are usually not allowed into our football stadiums. We know him quite well as he has been responsible for Stadium security since he was just a sergeant, that is for almost 20 years. He is a very respected person in Malta, especially at Ta' Qali Stadium and it is acknowledged by one and all that it is mainly through his interventions that there have been no major incidents during this period.

Apart from that, I was at the Stadium, at the far end where you were staying and could see what was happening right below me. For one thing, we could not hear what the few Birkirkara fans (on your side there must have been not more than 250 and only about 20 were chanting continuously). This is because the Croatia fans were singing loudly almost all the time, except at the interval.If the Birkirkara fans indulged in insults, I also do not agree. We should all go to the stadium to watch football being played in a pleasant atmosphere.What is really wrong and, I feel this should be made clear in the club's reply to the expected UEFA charges, is that those Croatian fans were charged excessively to watch that match in that part of the Stadium (under cover from the sun).

As for the real football fans item, I reiterate and insist that those (around 50) among the Croatian crowd, who caused the trouble, were not football fans. We in Malta are not accustomed to such behaviour at the Stadium. Our fans insult each other in one way or another, but rarely do they cause such trouble for the police. Seeing such a good number of policemen at the Stadium as was the case last Thursday, was only because when Croatia played Malta almost three years ago, there was more or less the same kind of trouble, but on a much larger scale. This time, the Malta police were prepared.I cannot agree with you that nothing would have occurred had the police not intervened. In actual fact, the police only intervened when some seats were set on fire and the Croatian fans started moving away from the scene. I saw this quite clearly.

When I said these fans with a clear aim in mind I and many others who were at the Stadium, quickly thought about what happened three years ago and the hefty fine imposed by UEFA on the Croatian FA apart from ordering the payment of damage to the stadium. At least one person said at the end of the match, that he had informed the local authorities that some of those fans had arrived in Malta by ferry from Sicily, and not by air. This, as he stated, was because the police at the airport had been given a list of persons by the Croatian authorities not to allow those persons to enter Malta. That was the reason behind the strong police presence at the Stadium.Uttering the words you heard on the Birkirkara side (insults) are common practice in Maltese football stadiums. Perhaps you may also visit some Italian or English stadium if you wish to hear them more loudly and clearly as if in a chorus of thousands, and not just by a score of people. But our fans never resort to violence in return and causing damage to other people's property.

I simply hope that Hajduk Split will be able to identify the culprits who might be putting the club in serious trouble. I sympathise with the club as they simply had nothing to do with the clashes between the fans and the police. Yet, quite unfortunately, they will have to reply to the charges which are now expected to be rbought against the club.

In any case, let me make myself more clear to you. When I said no more Croats please, I was obviously referring for fans at a football match. Otherwise I am more than convinced that the vast majority of the millions of Croats are educated and well behaved persons who will be more than welcome to this place if they ever decided to visit Malta.

Like we were given the best hospitality when we visited Split in 1979 on the occasion of The Mediterranean Games - then it was still part of the old Yugoslavia, however.

Once again thank you for your contribution and if you ever need anything from my part (any kind of information) please do not hesitate to contact me.

Best regards and may I wish you a safe return journey

Henry Brincat

Sports Editor

The Malta Independent

I will wait if anyone has anything to add before I reply to Mr. Brincat. On Wednesday or Thursday, I will respond to his reply.

Where are my Hajduk fans?

~Denis Svirčić, last day reporting from Malta

"NO MORE CROATS PLEASE"

This was the title of an article written by Henry Brincat, a sports editor for the Malta Independent newspaper on Sunday August third.

I decided to write a letter to express my frustration. You can contact this fellow at hbrinkat@independent.com.mt

Here is my letter.... a little long, pull up a chair.

Hello Henry Brincat,

Yesterday, I happened to run across your article in the Sunday Malta Independent. for the most part, I was extremely disappointed in your opinion and reasoning of Croatian football fans.

First, I think its fair that I introduce myself. My name is Denis Svircic, an American born Croatian writer for CroatianSoccerReport.com. I have been on holiday in Malta since July 31st and will return to Croatia on Tuesday.

On July, 31st, I was lucky enough to be the only Hajduk Split supporter watching from the Birkirkara side of the stadium. Boarding a bus from Valletta, I realized that most people in Malta don't even know or care that there is a UEFA Cup football game kicking off in less than an hours time. Because of fan trouble two years ago at the Croatia-Malta qualifier match, I decided to play "incognito" and sit with the Maltese. I arrived at the ticketbox with ten or so Croats which didn't speak to me. For all they know, I was Maltese. The ticket guy asked who I supported. I replied, "I don't support anyone, just want to watch Football." He said, "No, you are Croatian, must go on the other side." At this point, he wouldn't sell me a ticket. Then luckily, I remembered my American passport in my left pocket. I whipped it out and flashed it to him confirming that I was American. The elderly gentleman was convinced and charged me five euro for the ticket.

Arriving ten minutes before kickoff, I took some pictures of Birkirkara fans, flags, and banners. Then I figured, maybe I should sit with the Croats. As I was about to exit the stadium, security stopped me, first in Maltese, then in English, "Where are you going?" I replied, "I want to sit in the Croatian section." The security guard checked my ticket and said, "No you can't, this ticket is only good for this section. If you want to sit in the Croatian section, you must pay thirty Euro." "Why so expensive," I asked. The officer hesitated and stumbled for words, "That side is exclusive and covered from the sun." I figured he was lying, however, I decided to stay put and watch from the Birkirkara side.

As the Torcida arrived for the match, Boos were heard from the Birkirkara 'Ultras', followed by "Fuck off Torcida." In the 58th minute, Torcida lit six to twelve flairs. Seconds later police were at the scene. However, only one of the officers went into the Torcida and tried to either arrest a fan or take away the flair. It was difficult to tell from across the stadium. After the match, I was informed that this officer was beat down by the Torcida, then 50 or so officers swarmed the torcida like bees and attacked with batons. As this was going on, the Ultras were chanting, "Torcida, Torcida, Va Fangulo..... Hrvatska, Hrvatska, Va Fangulo.." Down 2-0, Birkirkara supporters turned their attention to the North Stand, and were entertained as Torcida was getting beat down by Malta police.

The next day, I found out that 60 or so tickets were stolen from an outside ticket salesman that was beat down before the match. This is pretty much all I know about the incident and my eyewitness comments.

Here is my analysis:

First, I would like to say that Torcida was 100% wrong. However, there needs to be precautions taken in advance to prevent these incidents from happening. In example, at the European championships in Austria and Switzerland, which I attended four games, only non alcoholic beer was served. Also, flairs were lit, and only those that had thrown them were arrested.

Torcida paid hundreds of Euros just to fly to Malta only for a match. To charge them six times more thatn the maltese is mindboggling. Thirty Euros for entrence to a pointless match. Last week, I watched Liverpool play Hertha Berlin in a friendly for ten Euro. Both of these teams are in the top 50 in the world.Croatians are not stupid, Torcida felt taken advantage of and reacted in an uncalled for manner and stole 60 tickets. From what I hear, the Croatian football Federation has contacted the Maltese football federation and offered to pay for any damages, including the stolen tickets.

Flairs are an everyday life of football in Croatia. Hundreds are lit at games and no one gets hurt. The only trouble is when some idiots throw them on to the field.

Why would one police officer try to arrest one fan in the Torcida? Has he gone mad? Where is the logic behind this, of course he will get beat down by the Torcida. Why didn't ten or so officers go in at first?

In conclusion, I would like to say that because of the "ticket scam", lack of security, and failed security practice, the Maltese are at fault just as much as the Torcida.

What do you think of this? Charge Hajduk fans a reasonable five Euros, let them have flairs, and only arrest those that throw them. Then I will guarantee that nothing is going to happen. However, I don't want to sound biased or one-sided. Hajduk is at fault and needs to be punished.

Your Report

"Those are no real football fans."

--- You really need to educate yourself on football. Torcida started in 1950. Yes, there are the select few that cause trouble. However, this is not the Torcida philosophy. They come in peace, unless they are attacked. Also, they travel wherever Hajduk travels. No matter if the game is a friendly, or a second leg in Malta. They show up to sing and cheer, not to fight or insult (Ala Ultras) other team.

"It is obvious they came with a clear aim in mind."

-- Which is? Can you please clarify? If you think that days before the match the Torcida planned to steal 60 tickets, beat up an officer, and cause trouble, then you are rediculous.

"There was no provocation from the Maltese fans."

-- Were you at the stadium? As soon as Torcida entered the stadium, they were greeted with "Fuck off Torcida" form the Ultras.
I have videos....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D39NyTB7-WA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfGWLEuYFqQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLAk-Yffk1Y

Look at how many views and comments I recieved on the videos as well as on my website. Quite a few Maltese were upset at my post.

What I kindly ask from you is to please inform me on any information which I have not recieved. Give me feedback. Tell me if you agree or disagree in my analysis. I came to Malta in peace and befriended a few Birkirkara fans. Ultras are great when they are singing, "Bir-Kir-Kar-A, ale, ale, ale....ale, ale, ale....ale, ale, ale.", not, "Stand up if you hate Hajduk."

Thank you for taking your time in reading this, and I look forward to hearing from you,

Denis Svircic
CroatianSoccerReport.com

~Denis Svirčić, still reporting from Malta

HAJDUK FROM MALTA

Ante did an excellent job summarizing the Hajduk Split-Birkirkara UEFA CUP match, so there is no need for summary. I will just give you some exclusive footage from the match.

First, I would like say, that I was one of the lucky 200 or so in attendance in Malta for this UEFA Cup encounter. A seat in the Hajduk, or visitor section would run you thirty euros. However, a ticket in the home stands was five euros. since I had a gut feeling that Torcida would cause some problems, I decided to sit with the Birkirkara 'Ultras'.

The modern Birkinkara Stadium

The Maltese wouldn't sell me the home ticket, thinking I was a Hajduk supporter. However, after showing him my American passport, I was greeted with open arms.

A nice piece of dry bird shit on the 'modern' seats.

Overall, the match was pretty dull; a goal in the fifth minute, one just before halftime, and one at the final whistle.

Then in the 65th minute or so, all hell broke loose, as the Torcida lit up a few flares, and a hundred or so police officers rushed the Torcida and cornered them in the far left corner of the stadium. Four or five Hajduk supporters were cuffed and hit the showers early. A lucky select few were greeted by the club, and will remember Malta forever.

The Birkirkara Ultra chanted everything from, 'torcida, torcida, va fangulo' and 'Hrvatska, Hrvatska, va fangulo' and 'stand up if you hate Torcida.'

A block or so from the stadium, there was 'Torcida' spray painted on the wall in red, and in black right in front of it 'f@*k.' The Maltese move fast.

After the match, I had a chat with some of the 'Birkirkara Ultras.' I was incognito and pretended to be a dumb American football fan and have nothing to do with the 'Torcida'. In the end, they offered me a ride back to town, and gave me a Birkirkara sticker and pin.

And just for the record, there was no sign of the Vatican flag.

~Denis Svirčić, reporting from Malta

DINAMO DOMINATE DOMŽALE

Dinamo Zagreb and Domžale have a knack of meeting in the UEFA Champion's League 2nd qualifying round; and for the second straight year, Dinamo showed their superiority once again.

Dinamo started off hot and only needed one half of soccer to get the away result they were looking for. Ivica Vrdoljak opened up the scoring with a goal in the 11th minute. Shortly after, Brazilian born Sammir, tacked on another one in the 21'. Finishing off 1st half festivities for Dinamo, Josip Tadić stuck a fork in Domžale's hopes of reaching the next round with a goal in the 40th minute.

With a 3-0 lead at halftime, the rest of the game was merely a conservative training exercise for Dinamo. They succeeded as the score remained the same for the rest of the match. Only a disaster in Zagreb on August 6th would prevent Dinamo from reaching the final qualifying round, which contains some of the 'big boys' of European club soccer: Arsenal, Liverpool, Juventus, Marseille, Barcelona and Schalke 04 are some of the teams that Dinamo can face. They were eliminated by Werder Bremen last year.

Hajduk and Slaven Belupo play the second leg of their UEFA Cup 1st qualifying round games tomorrow, July 31st. Both teams should cruise as they have 4 goal aggregate leads on their Maltese foes.

...AND THEY'RE OFF!!!

The 2008-2009 Croatian Prva Liga season kicked off Sunday without a hitch. Newly promoted club, Croatia Sesvete, showed promise with a 1-1 draw versus NK Osijek in their first ever 1st League (Prva Liga) game. Sesvete will be playing their home games at Kamen Ingrad Stadium in Velika this season due to their usual stadium, Stadion SRC Sesvete, not meeting Croatian Prva Liga stadium requirements.

This requirement policy of minimum conditions having to be met for stadiums was brought upon due to NK Zadar player, Hrvoje Ćustić's, freak accident last season at Stanovi Stadium in Zadar. Ćustić was running hard after a ball, got tangled up with an opposing player and went head first into a concrete retaining wall just 3 meters off the field. The player was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was put into an induced coma; only to be confirmed brain dead 4 days later.

Because of this tragic accident, 4 teams will not be playing at their hometown stadiums this season. Cibalia Vinkovci will be playing at Gradski Vrt in Osijek, Croatia Sesvete at Kamen Ingrad Stadium in Velika, NK Zagreb at Dinamo's Maksimir Stadium and NK Zadar at Šibenik's Šubićevac Stadium.

Here are the results for the first round of action:

Cibalia Vinkovci (0-0) Slaven Belupo

Croatia Sesvete (1-1) NK Osijek

Hajduk Split (1-0) NK Zadar

Inter Zaprešić (2-3) HNK Šibenik

Varteks Varaždin (2-1) NK Zagreb

Dinamo Zagreb (2-0) NK Rijeka

The league continues its games with the 2nd Round on August 3rd but not before Champion's League and UEFA Cup action picks up again. In their first leg, Dinamo Zagreb take on Domžale in Slovenia on July 30th in second qualifying round play while Hajduk takes on Birkirkara in Malta and Slaven Belupo plays Marsaxlokk (Malta) in the second leg of the UEFA Cup 1st qualifying round. Hajduk and Slaven Belupo both have comfortable 4-0 aggregate leads on their competition and should move on.

HAJDUK SMASH DOWN-AND-OUT BIRKIRKARA

In the opening match of UEFA CUP qualifiers, Hajduk Split left Poljud satisfied with a convincing 4-0 victory over Maltese Birkirkara. Hajduk goal scorers were Ibričić (2), Kalinić (24), Bušić (54) and Tičinović (74). The return leg, as if anyone cares, will be in Malta on the 31st of July.

Croatian Prime minister, Ivo Sanader, was one of 15,000 in attendance at the Poljud. Even though Birkirkara has a rating of zero and didn't manage one shot on target, Torcida and Hajduk fans were more than satisfied with the effort of this 'new' Hajduk team.

Bušić (54) and Tičinović (74) goals

The Torcida left a special message for Hajduk-Dinamo transfer Mirko Hrgović:

"Hrgoviću, tko te jebe, možemo mi i bez tebe, Hajduk šampion!"

~Denis Svirčić, reporting from Šibenik

NAPOLI LEAVES SPLIT REDFACED

Oh happy days in Split. Good bye cloudy day, hello sunshine. What better way for Hajduk to start the new season than with a victory over serie A giants Napoli.

Hajduk - Napoli 1:0 (1:0)

Attendance: 10,000

Referee: Edi Šunjić (Split)

Goals: Linić (29)

HAJDUK:

Subašić - Rubil, Živković, Pandža, Strinić - Linić, Andrić, Gabrić (78minute. Oremuš), - Ibričić (83minute. Bartolović) - Kalinić, Bušić (58minute. Tičinović).

NAPOLI:

Iezzo (62minute. Gianello) - Cannavaro, Santacroce, Contini (46minute. Rinaudo) - Blasi (62minute. Pazienza), Gargano (62minute. Montervino), Grava (46minute. Savini), Maggio (62minute. Amodio), Hamšik (62minute. Dalla Bona) - De Zerbi (46minute. Bogliacino), Denis (62minute. Joao Batista).

Poljud thirty minutes before kickoff...

In the 29th minute Senijad Linić scores for Hajduk! Drago Gabrić tried to center from the left, after a block from Napoli the ball found Ibričić who tried for goal. After another block, Linić scooped up the rebound and left foots the ball in the upper left corner.

In the 38th minute, Napoli had a chance to equalize with a rather generous call from Edi Šunjić, referee from Split. Marek Hamšik steps up to take the penalty....and..

Kalinić

'I am satisfied with our performance, especially in the first half. Even though the Italians started the new season after us, we are still in training and had a tough training this week. I am convinced that our play will be enough against Birkirkare, we need a good result in Split so we can travel stress free for the return leg.'

Overall, I am very pleased with hajduk's performance. Hajduk controlled most of the game and possession. Most importantly, Hajduk showed heart and creativity, which they lacked desperately last season. On occasion, Napoli showed its true colors and with a little bit of luck could have scored two or three times. For the first time in a few years, I am looking forward to the new season, and actually think Hajduk has a chance to dethrone the Bad Blue Boys. Naprid Bili!

HAJDUK = NAPOLI 7-11-08

Everyone in Split wants to know what Goran Vučević is capable of with this untested Hajduk team. Will this year be a continuation of grief and sorrow, or will Hajduk finally show its true colors?

Hajduk hasn't lost its last four training matches in Slovenia. However, today, Vučević will be tested by Serie A giants Napoli , in an anticipating difficult friendly match at the Poljud in Split.

I will be in Split, cheering on the 'bili', and like the Torcida, hoping for a return to better days in Hajdukland. Hopefully, Kalinić will return stronger and wiser from last season and after the EURO this summer. Check back with us after the game for pictures and video.

Also, for those of you Croatian speakers, the game can be heard on internet radio at HRT and by clicking on 'HR2'...... starting at 8pm local time.

For those of you in town, Napoli will arrive in Split at 11am local time and will spend the night in "Atrium". Hajduk will be without Dario Jertec and Marijan Buljat due to minor knocks.

I will go out on a limb and predict a 2-1 victory for Hajduk.

HAJDUK SWALLOWS GOLDEN FISH

The first annual small goals tournament opened yesterday in Brodarica, Croatia, with Hajduk Split as the guests of honor. The tournament was organized by locals Branka Tanfara, Boris Garma, and MNK Zlatna Ribica(Team Golden Fish), to honor those from Krapanj/Brodarica who died serving Croatia during the war for independence. National newspapers and photographers were some of the 400 people on hand to watch this historic event.

There is one small catch. This was a tournament for 'veterans'. Only former players were allowed to play for Šibenik, Hajduk, Zadar, and Zlatna Ribica.

Hajduk Split was represented by a familiar face, former Croatian international Ivica Mornar. Ivica in action....

Final results:

Zlatna Ribica 1 Hajduk Split 6

Zlatna Ribica

Frančesko Tudić, Svetin Pivac, Milutin Svetin, Jerko Banovac, Jordan Tudić, Gordan Mučić, Ivo Pekas, Avdo Imširović, Mario Morić, Vladimir Luša, Ante Gović, Edo Španja, and Slavko Miličić

Hajduk Split

Ivan Balić, Ivica Mornar, Joško Španjić, Stipe, Andrijašević, Denis Putnik, Saša Glavaš, Romeo Vulas, Ante Šečer, Vlatko Đolonga, Goran Šušnjara, Mladen Jurić, Dragan Holcer, and Goran Brailo

Šibenik 2 Zadar 4

Šibenik

Ozren Vrčić, Neven Renje, Armando Marenzi, Anđelko Aralica, Frane Grubišič, Joso Bulat, Žarko Mrdalj, Ivo Krečak, Branko Lađević, and Slavko Kundid

Zadar

Slobodan Marušić, Alen Vedrić, Alen Lazanja, Momčilo Guardijan, Zoran Erlić, Josip butić, Velibor Knez, Marko Mustać, Damir Parać and Novica Erlić

THE NEW SEASON STARTS NOW

Euro 2008 is now over and it is time to put your national jersey away and pull out your club's colors for the upcoming 2008-2009 Champion's League and Uefa Cup campaigns. Don't get me wrong, World Cup 2010 qualifying starts in only two months time but for sake of argument we will stick for the club sides for now.

Dinamo Zagreb start their Champion's League campaign in the 1st qualifying round versus Linfield FC of Northern Ireland. The first leg will be away for Dinamo on July 15th or 16th with the return leg in Zagreb on July 22nd or 23rd. Dinamo is the only Croatian club team that will be participating in the Uefa Champion's League.

For the other teams that were not so lucky last year is the Uefa Cup. Both Croatian teams that managed to make the first qualifying round will be playing teams from Malta. Hajduk will host Birkirkara on July 17th with the second leg match on the 31st of July. Slaven Belupo heads to Marsaxlokk turf on the 17th with the return in Croatia also on the 31st.

LINEUP VS. POLAND

Slaven Bilić has announced his starting lineup against Poland for today's match. Remember that Croatia has already won Group B making this game a friendly; if anyhting for them. However, Poland will be playing for their tournament lives. Should they win big and have a German slip-up, they could move onto the knockout round to play Portugal.

Bilić has been quoted in numerous Croatian papers saying, "We are not stupid and are not going to risk anything." With that, here is the lineup vs. Poland.

Goalkeeper: Stipe Pletikosa

Defenders: Dario Šimić (C), Hrvoje Vejić, Dario Knežević, Danijel Pranjić

Midfielders: Nikola Pokrivač, Ognjen Vukojević, Ivan Rakitić, Jerko Leko

Strikers: Ivan Klasnić and Mladen Petrić

So the only 'usual' starters will be Pletikosa,Pranjić, Rakitić and Petrić.

We will finally get a good look at Klasnić and see exactly what he has to offer as I'm sure he will be playing for a spot in the lineup for the rest of the tournament.

So there you go. What do you think?

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

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....

32ND ROUND HNL RESULTS

Here are the results for May 3rd...

Međimurje [4 - 0] Inter Zaprešić

NK Osijek [2 - 0] Varteks Varaždin

NK Rijeka [2 - 0] Cibalia Vinkovci

NK Zadar [0 - 2] HNK Šibenik

Slaven Belupo [1 - 0] NK Zagreb

Hajduk Split [1 - 1] Dinamo Zagreb

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

NEW UMBRO HAJDUK JERSEY

The brand new Hajduk jersey for the 2009 season was just released to the public a few hours ago; and all I have to say is B-E-A-utiful! The jersey directly resembles the Glasgow Celtic jersey we have all associated with pride and tradition. I think everyone will be happy with Umbro on this one.

The all new jersey is simple, effective, easily recognizable and most importantly keeps the tradition which is Hajduk. I can't wait to hear what the fans have to say about it- but this fan can't wait to get one!

HAJDUK FANS......

Umbro, Hajduk Split sportswear and equipment supplier, have announced a brand new design for the famous red-blue-striped Hajduk away jersey.

Slobodna Dalmacija has confirmed that Umbro will unveil the jersey this Wednesday 11:30am (Croatian time) and will be on sale at the Hajduk fan shop inside the Poljud stadium in Split.

The British sportswear giant, gave us a tease by stating, "With everything that has happened to Hajduk this season, today is a time for change." "The away kit will have horizontal stripes, ala Celtic and Barcelona, instead of the traditional vertical red and blue stripes."

Tune in to Croatiansoccerreport.com on Wednesday for the reinvented Hajduk Split

Pictured, formerly outfitted by Umbro, a Glasgow Celtic jersey. Picture this jersey in red and blue.

30TH ROUND HNL RESULTS

Here are the results for April 26th...

Cibalia Vinkovci[1-1]Inter Zaprešić

Dinamo Zagreb[1-0]Slaven Belupo

HNK Šibenik[1-0]NK Osijek

NK Zagreb[0-0]NK Zadar

Varteks Varaždin[3-2]Međimurje

NK Rijeka[1-1]Hajduk Split

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