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

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

UEFA SCHEDULE RELEASED

UEFA has has released the schedule for the Champion's League 3rd qualifying round games as well as the Uefa Cup 2nd qualifying round matches. Hajduk Split has been paired up with Deportivo, who last year finished 9th in the Spanish La Liga. Slaven Belupo will match wits with Aris Thessaloniki of the Greek Super League. Aris finished 4th last year in their respected league. Both of these UEFA Cup encounters start on the road for the Croatian clubs on August 14th before returning home for the second leg a fortnight later (2 weeks later or 14 days for those of you who are unfamiliar with the lingo) on August 28th. Hajduk and Slaven aren't expected to do much against these proven teams but it's always nice to see what they're made of and what kind of trouble Torcida can get into next.

On the other side of the spectrum, should Dinamo Zagreb move onto the next and final Champion's League qualifying round (and we all expect they should with an away 3-0 win), they would face off against Darijo Srna's club team, Shakhtar Donetsk, of the Ukranian Premier League which would be a fantastic test for the team from Zagreb.

More news is on the way as pre-season tournaments are on the brink and the major European leagues are almost ready to kick off the new season.

Stay tuned guys!

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

HAJDUK AND SLAVEN MOVE ONWARD

In anything but surprising news, both UEFA Cup teams from Croatia will move onto the next round. Hajduk smashed Birkirkara in Malta, 3-0, with goals by Ivan Strinić (4'), Mladen Bartolović (45') and Senijad Ibričić (90'). Slaven Belupo mirrored Hajduk's efforts with a 4-0 win vs. Marsaxlokk FC with goals by Mario Bilen (25'), Kristijan Čaval (72') and a double by Bojan Vručina (74', 90').

Hajduk and Slaven beat their Maltese counterparts 7-0 and 8-0 on aggregate and will now play in the UEFA Cup 2nd qualifying round. The draw to see who Hajduk and Slaven will play next takes place on August 1st and the next game kicks off August 14th.

Although the games played out to expected results and won't make the front page of the paper, some Torcida members who made the trip to Malta for the Hajduk match just might. In the 65th minute of the game, they got a bit rowdy and lit flares to celebrate the result of the game. Maltese police came over to stop the fans; and that's when the fight ensued. I'm sure you can get a good idea of what happened from the pictures above. Denis was scheduled to be at the game today and hopefully he can give us more insight on what exactly happened.

This has been Croatian fans' 2nd run in with Malta police in 3 years. In 2005, after a 2006 World Cup qualifier ended in a draw for the Vatreni, Croatian fans were so upset they started ripping out seats from the stadium and throwing them at the local police. It must be something they put in the water in Malta to make the Croatians get so angry so quickly.

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

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....

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!

DINAMO-HAJDUK INDOOR "FRIENDLY"

Last week's indoor friendly between Dinamo Zagreb and Hajduk Split turned anything but "friendly".

DINAMO ZAGREB ** NEW ** TRAINING KIT

Check out the new Dinamo Zagreb training kits!

Bad Blue Boys- tell us how you feel about the blue

Torcida- tell us the last time you wore blue

~ You Heard it Here First ~

CROATIA AT SCOTLAND MARCH 26TH

Croatia have announced a friendly against Scotland at the famous Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland on March 26, 2008. The Croatian football federation was in talks with Ireland and Portugal for a possible friendly on this day, however President Markovic felt Scotland shares a similar football style with Germany.

Also, there have been talks with Luxembourg and Lichtenstein about a last and final warm up before the start of Euro 2008.

~ once again, heard it here first ~

HAJDUK-DINAMO RIVALRY

Croatians worldwide know the importance and passion associated with the Hajduk Split-Dinamo Zagreb rivalry. It's a rivalry that splits Croatia in half where the south half and coast(Dalmacija) support Hajduk through the firm Torcida and the north (Zagorije and the capital city of Zagreb) predominantly support Dinamo through the Bad Blue Boys(BBB) firm as these two teams have always been the dominant force in the 12-team Croatian Prva Liga (First League). I came across a popular soccer website, FootballDerbies.com which listed the Hajduk-Dinamo rivalry #2 in the world only behind Barcelona and Real Madrid of the Spanish Primera Liga. The following videos show the hatred between the two clubs and their firms from The Real Football Factory documentary as well as a video on the historical Dinamo-Red Star Belgrade match which many say was the unofficial spark to all the tension that led up to the start of the war in the former Yugoslavia.