Who joined Rijeka in the Europa League group stage? No one.
On a day which did not see any one Croatian club lose, Dinamo, Hajduk and Osijek all bowed out of the competition one match short of the group stage.
Hajduk played Premiership club Everton in front of a packed Poljud crowd needing multiple goals after a 2-0 defeat in Liverpool. Hajduk came out strong in the first half in a match that would see not one, but two goals scored from over 35 yards. (I don’t remember a match in my lifetime where I could attach that stat.)
Shortly before halftime, Josip Radošević would wind up a wicked shot which looked more like a missile in flight than a football. It tricked goalkeeper Jordan Pickford by changing directions mid-flight. It was a huge lift for Hajduk just before halftime as a 2-0 result would force extra time. However, a complete gaffe 10 seconds into the second half saw Everton’s Gylfi Sigurdsson shoot (maybe even just hit the ball hard) from midfield which somehow found the back of the net with Dante Stipica well off his line. It was a a crushing goal which all but ended Hajduk’s European season. Hajduk would miss a penalty later in the match as it would end 1-1.
Hajduk v. Everton 35 yard goals
Osijek win 1-0 vs. Austria Wien
Cinderellas NK Osijek did it again. They managed to defeat Austria Wien 1-0 on the road but it wouldn’t be enough as Wien would progress on the away goals rule. Osijek scored in the 62nd minute off a nice trap and shot in the box by Gabrijel Boban but couldn’t find goal number two the rest of the way. This was a phenomenal run by Osijek who saw them take down Dutch club PSV Eindhoven on the way. It’s unfortunate Croatia will only have one team in Europe this year (Rijeka in Europa League) but the country’s value rose in coefficient status with all the positive results this qualifying campaign. Two Champions League spots may come sooner than later for Croatian clubs.
In the most shocking result of them all, Dinamo Zagreb also fell out of Europe after a scoreless draw against Skenderbeu in Albania Thursday night. The first leg in Zagreb ended 1-1 but Skenderbeu will progress on the away goals rule. Dinamo may be first in the Croatian Prva Liga, but they looked hopeless in Europa qualifying over the past two matches. All they needed was one goal in Albania but couldn’t find it the back of the net on only three shots on goal.
The more one looks at the facts, the clearer it is that Mamic is the John Snow of Croatia, the prince who was promised, to save his people
Taking over an organization in shambles: snow takes over night’s watch, mamic takes over dynamo
Overcomes incredible odds to defeat hostile foreign forces: John Snow defeats the wildlings attack on the wall, Mamic miraculously guides Dinamo to champions league two times in a row against other nations
Produces quality individuals: John Snow helped guide the development of Arya, Sam, Bran, and the night’s watch. Mamic’s guidance helped developed Croatian stars like modric, kovacic, mandzukic, lovren…the list goes on
Did what was right befriending foreigners for common good, to the objection of their people: John snow befriended the foreigner wildlings for the betterment of the realm. Mamic brought in foreign players to Dinamo and pushed foreign players on the national team to the betterment of both
Betrayed and assassinated by his own people for their objection to his acheivements: John Snow is betrayed and stabbed in the heart by rebellious night’s watchmen who took issue with his management of the wall. Mamic is shot by fellow croats leaving mass for objections to his management of Dinamo.
Rise from the dead: John Snow recovers from a stab to the heart. Mamic recovers from a gun shot.
The similarities are too great. It is clear, like John Snow, Mamic is the prince that was promised that will lead Croatia to greatness.
Hey Jen why do you have to make this racial?
The best players from all over the world end up in Europe regardless of their race.
Jen screw off.
I think Hajduk played good attacking football but what else did they have to do? Everton surely were not going to come out and chase a game/result
Dinamo played today like it was a friendly. You wouldve thought some of the players took a bullet to the leg. Hajduk played a great game today, but against a team like Everton,great is not good enough. You need flawless and it was far from it. Although there is no disappointment in that effort. The pk’s continue to haunt Croatian clubs and national team, even when a Hrvat is not taking them. Osijek was in a tough spot but put in a good second half and almost pulled it off. Still no shame in winning away to Vienna for a small club like them…Sucks that none of the 4 clubs advanced this week but all in all a good showing for HNL.
Hajduk eliminated…..idiotic
Dinamo eliminated. I saw their first half which was horrible.
Hajduk does very well.
Radosevic scored a great goal. Vlasic and Erceg are really impressive.
What a fucking goal
What a fucking goal. Bless you, Radosevic. It just got interesting.
Come on Hajduk….give us 1 to make it fun
Pretty good chance none go through.