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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE]

5 clusters · 60 sources · 7 days · First seen 8 days ago · Last updated 1 day ago

Categories: SPORTS

Balkan clubs begin 2024‑25 seasons

Entities: Marko Livaja · Gonzalo García · GNK Dinamo Zagreb · Hajduk Split · Dinamo Zagreb

Overview

Late July 2026 saw Balkan clubs launch their 2024‑25 campaigns. Handball giant RK Zagreb started preseason under new coach Hrvoje Horvat, adding signings and arranging friendlies before the EHF Champions League.

In Croatian football, defending champions GNK Dinamo Zagreb opened the First Football League on 30 July with a 2‑0 win over Slaven Belupo, both goals by Dion Drena Beljo, and signed midfielder Kiril Kravcov. Coach Mario Kovačević made eight changes after a recent Champions League qualifier and urged more goals ahead of a Europa League tie with Kauno Žalgiris.

VAR‑influenced drama marked the opening round: Lokomotiva edged Istra 1961 3‑2 after a stoppage‑time header confirmed by VAR, while goals by the 17‑year‑old Škafar Žužić twins were nullified, sparking fan protest. New Gorica coach Federico Bessone pledged a cultural shift.

On 31 July, Osijek beat Gorica 2‑0 away, with early strikes from Ivan Dolček and a penalty by Nail Omerović. Bessone highlighted a mentality shift, pressing intensity and attacking play, while Gorica’s Mario Carević admitted his side was not yet competitive. Goalkeeper Davor Matijaš made several saves, and Ivković called Osijek’s performance a “pleasant surprise.”

Two days later, Varaždin defeated Hajduk Split 2‑1. Mario Mladenovski and Luka Mamić scored for Varaždin; Rokas Pukštas replied for Hajduk, and goalkeeper Josip Silić saved a last‑minute penalty from Marko Livaja. Coach Gonzalo García criticised Hajduk’s sluggish first half, citing a congested schedule and fatigue, and said the club is seeking reinforcements. Analyst Samir Toplak echoed concerns about squad imbalance, while former referee Patrik Kolarić was singled out for inconsistent decisions. The defeat provoked a hostile reaction from Hajduk supporters, who set fire to seats and displayed anti‑Dalić banners.

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 13 SOURCES] Dinamo Zagreb defeated Slaven Belupo 2-0 in the opening match of the 2026/2027 HNL season. (multiple)
[● 12 SOURCES] Both goals were scored by Dion Drena Beljo. (multiple)
[● 11 SOURCES] Antonio Melnjak was the referee for the match. (multiple)
[● 10 SOURCES] The match started at 20:00 and was broadcast on MAXSport 1. (supporting_article_ids)
[● 10 SOURCES] The match was played at Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb. (multiple)
[● 6 SOURCES] Dinamo coach Mario Kovačević made up to eight changes to the squad for the opening match. (coach changes)
[● 4 SOURCES] HNK Rijeka will play NK Rudeš in the opening match of the 2026/27 HNL season at Stadion Rujevica. (d81572ff, a02929ec, b5384269, f3209bad)
[● 4 SOURCES] New signing Stjepan Radeljić made his debut and said his legs were shaking at the start of the match. (multiple)
[● 3 SOURCES] Coach Mario Kovačević made eight changes to the starting lineup compared with the previous match. (multiple)
[● 2 SOURCES] Dinamo's starting lineup included Filipović, Tabinas, Galešić, Radeljić, Vinlöf, Kačavenda, Mišić, Stojković, Topić, Beljo and Hoxha. (multiple articles)
[● 2 SOURCES] Slaven Belupo's starting lineup included Sentić, Krušelj, Cvetko, Kovačić, Urata, Adeshina, Crepulja, Mažar, Banovac, Nestorovski and Mitrović. (multiple articles)

Timeline

1 day ago

[SPORTS] 27 sources FAST-MOVING
Varaždin beats Hajduk 2-1, penalty saved and fan unrest erupts
Varaždin beat Hajduk 2-1; goals by Mladenovski and Mamić, Pukštas scored for Hajduk. Josip Silić saved Livaja’s late penalty. Torcida set fire to a tribune, sparking criticism of officials and club comments on
3 days ago

[SPORTS] 38 sources
Osijek beats Gorica 2-0 to open HNL season
Osijek defeated Gorica 2‑0 in the HNL opener, with goals by Dolček and Omerović, marking a strong debut for coach Bessone.
3 days ago

[SPORTS] 2 sources
Bosnia's Velež and Croatia's Dinamo lead new football season in the Balkans
Velež Mostar played four European games under coach Ibro Rahimić despite a thin squad, while Croatia's SuperSport league starts with Dinamo Zagreb defending the title and new foreign coaches joining several top
4 days ago

[SPORTS] 23 sources
Dinamo Zagreb defeats Slaven Belupo 2-0 to open HNL season
Dinamo Zagreb beat Slaven Belupo 2‑0 at Maksimir, with both goals by Dion Drena Beljo. Coach Kovačević made eight changes, new signing Kiril Kravcov arrived, and debutant Radeljić felt tremors. Referee: Antonio
8 days ago

[SPORTS] 7 sources
Zagreb handball club starts new season under coach Hrvoje Horvat
RK Zagreb, under new coach Hrvoje Horvat and recent signings Marko Mamić and Manuel Štrlek, starts pre‑season training and aims for domestic dominance and a strong showing in the revamped Champions League group

Sources

24sata.hr · centralna.ba · cityportal.hr · dalmacijadanas.hr · dalmatinskiportal.hr · dnevno.hr · emedjimurje.net.hr · fenix-magazin.de · fiuman.hr · fns.org · glas-slavonije.hr · glasistre.hr · gol.dnevnik.hr · gol.hr · hrvatska-danas.com · index.hr · jutarnji.hr · klikaj.hr · kurir.rs · m.24sata.hr · m.tportal.hr · mahaim.ch · maxbetsport.rs · mondo.rs · msm.hr · narod.hr · nk-rijeka.hr · noplanetb.tportal.hr · nova.rs · novilist.hr · novosti.hr · optimalis.hu · riportal.net.hr · rtvtk.ba · sbisoccer.com · split.com.hr · sport-tv.si · sport.hrt.hr · sport1.ba · sportal.rs · sportarena.hr · sportdc.net · sportklub.n1info.hr · sportske.jutarnji.hr · srbijadanas.com · sustentabilidade.org · telegram.hr · telesport.rs

This summary has been updated 19 times: see revision history