Prva Liga News

09/08/2025

[FIXTURE] We have our first derby of the season!

• The Northern Derby will mark its 61st edition (counting Varteks as part of Varaždin) in the HNL, with both teams seeking their first league win.
• Today, Dinamo welcomes newly promoted Vukovar, but the Eastern Wolves haven’t scored in their only three matches played.
• Lokomotiva started on the right foot, winning the season opener, but they face an Istra side aiming high for a European spot.
• After a catastrophic loss to Shelbourne, Rijeka needs to regain confidence at Rujevica against a struggling Osijek.
• Hajduk looks solid, but Gorica surprised in their first match against the Bumbari. Can they upset the Bili?

**a

05/08/2025

04/08/2025

[STANDINGS] The HNL is back!

After a great start, the "big three" began with hard-fought wins, while Gorica surprised Varaždin.

**a

01/08/2025

[CONFERENCE LEAGUE] Hajduk Did It!

• The Bili had to fight for their ticket, but with an impressive performance throughout the match, Krovinović scored the opener after a great play between Hrgović and Livaja.
• As the game neared its end, Guima was sent off with a second yellow card, but the locals then started giving the ball away to the visitors. Hajduk’s bad luck struck when Djibrilla sent a “poor cross” that ended up in Ivušić’s goal. 1-1, extra time.
• With some fans whistling at the players, Benrahou took a free kick and scored the winning goal, leaving all doubts behind. Now, with their pass to the third qualifying round, the Bili must face Dinamo City from Albania to reach the playoffs once again.

Player of the Match: Šimun Hrgović

01/08/2025

[CONFERENCE LEAGUE] Varaždin couldn’t hold off Santa Clara and lost in the Azores.

The Bumbari went out with their heads held high.

Goals from Vinícius Lopes and Gabriel Silva gave the Portuguese team the win over a Varaždin side that fought for the ticket but couldn’t overcome Batista’s goalkeeping. The Croatian club had many opportunities and chances to equalize and then reduce the deficit, but poor aim and lack of luck led to a final score of 2-0.

Player of the Match: Vinícius Lopes

01/08/2025

[CHAMPIONS LEAGUE] Sad day as Rijeka loses to Ludogorets in Bulgaria.
Two red cards and a penalty were enough to break Rijeka’s defense.
• After a handball by Radeljić, Piotrowski celebrated the opener. With the Bulgarians pushing, Zlomislić looked insecure in goal. After a difficult first half, the Riječani chose a more offensive approach and found the equalizer through a great cross from Lasickas and Gojak’s first-touch strike.
• Sadly, Gabriel Rukavina (who entered the pitch in the second half) and Toni Fruk were sent off after two hard tackles. Despite this significant handicap, Rijeka managed to hold the Bulgarian champions until extra time, where they conceded twice.
• With this elimination, Rijeka must now face Shelbourne from Ireland next Wednesday in the third qualifying round of the Europa League.

Player of the Match: Mounir Chouiar

29/07/2025

[UEFA] Three teams are searching for a spot in the Third Round. Can they deliver?

Varaždin has given us hope that a club will reach the next round, while Rijeka and Hajduk seem to be struggling against their rivals. At the same time, they face easier opponents, and the Bili must secure their ticket at Poljud. Rijeka must remain calm, knowing Ludogorets' strength at home; a draw would be a great achievement.
We will have commentary on Rijeka’s challenge tomorrow, along with one of the Conference League games, live on our Twitch page!

25/07/2025

[CONFERENCE LEAGUE] WHAT A WIN FOR VARAŽDIN!

The Bumbari defied the odds and defeated Santa Clara at Anđelko Herjavec Stadium!

• Among the three Croatian clubs, we predicted that Varaždin faced the toughest challenge. They were up against a Portuguese side that achieved their best-ever result in their league, not to mention the challenge of facing a team from a football powerhouse like Portugal.
• Despite these odds, Bočkaj delivered a through pass to Belcar, and Lucas Soares brought him down! Ivan Mamut seized the opportunity to open the scoring, and he did not disappoint. Even after Jovanov poorly cleared the ball, giving Adriano a chance to equalize, Varaždin continued to play as a cohesive unit, believing in something greater than themselves. Zelenika emerged as a key figure, rallying his teammates against the fierce visitors. Following a routine foul, Marko Dabro capitalized on the opportunity and scored the winning goal with a touch of luck—his first goal of 2025, securing an incredible victory.
• I celebrated this result, this performance, and this style of play. Under manager Šafarić’s leadership, Varaždin has earned a place in the European spotlight after an outstanding last season. They are now on the verge of winning their first-ever knockout match. Keep believing, Bumbari—you deserve it!

Player of the Match: Nogometni Klub Varaždin

25/07/2025

[CONFERENCELEAGUE] With a Stronger Second Half, Hajduk Secures a Draw with Eyes on Poljud.

A lackluster first half gave way to an explosive second half that culminated in Kalik’s goal.

• Zire opened the scoring with Konaté’s backheel, while the Bili managed to equalize in the second half after a good combination between Skoko and Hrgović, which ended with Kalik’s sliding goal.
• It was interesting to see so many young players in Hajduk’s starting XI, but as the game grew tougher over time, Gonzalo García made several substitutions that shifted the momentum in his team’s favor.
• Ivušić debuted in goal, while Pajaziti and Karačić came on as substitutes in the second half, with the Albanian performing brilliantly in midfield. I expect more substitutes to start in upcoming matches.
• In the end, it was a clear 1-1, with each team dominating one half and leaving everything to play for next Thursday in the return leg at Poljud.

Player of the Match: Šimun Hrgović

23/07/2025

[CHAMPIONS LEAGUE] Rijeka couldn’t find space and drew with Ludogorets.

Our champions failed to score at Rujevica and now face a tough task in Bulgaria.

• It was a tough match to watch yesterday, as Rijeka failed to impress and leaves everything at stake for the rematch next Wednesday.
• They lacked explosiveness and struggled as a cohesive team. Even the Bulgarians had a few chances to test Zlomislić. The Riječani looked tired at some points during the game, and it felt as though there wasn’t much to build on from the first leg of the Second Qualifying Round.
• Rukavina and Lasickas pushed the team forward and seemed fresh, but sadly, the rest of the players couldn’t support them effectively. Debutants Ndockyt and Tiago Dantas failed to spark excitement from the start and were substituted.
• We hope for a stronger away match in Razgrad to secure Rijeka’s place in the Third Round.

Player of the Match: Niko Janković

20/07/2025

[UEFA] All three Croatian clubs know their rivals for the Second Qualifying Round!

While Dinamo is assured of a League Phase spot in the Europa League, Rijeka (Champions League), and Hajduk and Varaždin (Conference League) begin their European campaigns next week.

• Let’s start with the current champions, Rijeka. The Riječani had to wait for the fixture between Ludogorets and Dinamo Minsk, and now know that the Bulgarian Super-Champions are their foes to beat. The Eagles (orlite in Bulgarian) have been regular participants in the Champions League, having been the sole winners of their domestic league for the last 14 years, but they haven’t been as prolific in this competition as expected. Their vast European football experience is their fiercest weapon, and they even defeated Dinamo at Maksimir once.
• Regional giants Hajduk must break through Azeri territory to reach the Third Round of the Conference League. Zira (Zirə in Azeri) is a relatively new club in Azerbaijan that has started to qualify for European competitions each season but hasn’t achieved significant success, such as reaching a Group Stage. They did surprise Osijek last season by winning on penalties, so caution is advised.
• Varaždin will face the longest journey of the three clubs, as the Bumbari must travel outside Europe to play in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Their rivals? Clube Desportivo Santa Clara, from the Azores Archipelago. The Portuguese side will embark on their third-ever European campaign after achieving their best-ever result in the Portuguese League and have never faced Croatian teams.

Rijeka plays this Tuesday, first at Rujevica, then the following Wednesday in Bulgaria. Meanwhile, Hajduk plays this Wednesday in Azerbaijan and then on Thursday at Poljud. Finally, Varaždin welcomes Santa Clara this Thursday at Anđelko Herjavec before closing the Second Qualifying Round in Portugal.

12/07/2025

[FRIENDLY] Another big batch of friendlies was played in recent days.

Other than Rijeka and Lokomotiva, the rest of the teams played a friendly ahead of the new season.

• Dinamo had a tough time against Primorje in Kranj and drew 1-1. Gabriel Vidović was the sole scorer.
• Hajduk continues their 1-0 policy as they beat Posušje in Bosnia.
• Varaždin was the only team to play yesterday and today, and they won both matches! First, they defeated Aluminij from Slovenia 2-0 (Mazari and an own goal) and then Sarajevo from Bosnia, 2-1 (Mamut, Antunović). The Bumbari are preparing for their most important game since their rebirth.
• Slaven struggled against Napredak from Serbia last Thursday, losing 2-0 in Radenci, Slovenia.
• Great win for the Zeleno-Žuti against a strong club like Slovácko. Stjepan Lončar scored once again, and the peninsular club remains undefeated.
• Osijek tasted victory when they defeated CSM Satu from Romania’s Second Division. Živković, Buvkić, Omerović, and Jakupović scored.
• Gorica returned to the winning side after a marvelous match against Široki Brijeg in Čatež, Slovenia. Erceg, Duraković, Čabraja, and Kapulica, from a penalty, secured the win.
• To conclude this summary, Vukovar drew 0-0 against Domžale in Ljubljana.