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9 clusters · 34 sources · 20 days · First seen · Last updated

Categories: SPORTS

Balkan football season kickoff – early derbies

Entities: Mura · Nafta 1903 · Vítor Campelos · NK Maribor · Žiga Repas

Overview

The 12 July 2026 PrvaLiga opener set a hectic tone across the Balkans. In Slovenia, NK Bravo secured a €500,000 loan for striker Aldin Jakupović, while Olimpija Ljubljana re‑signed forward Agustín Doffo despite a 0‑2 loss to Grosuplje. Koper earned a 2‑0 win over Nafta 1903 in Lendava, a match marked by a VAR‑overturned equaliser, and coach Mere Hermoso praised the team’s fighting spirit. Maribor’s youngster David Pejičić completed a transfer to Udinese after a 2‑2 friendly, prompting coach Darko Milanič to stress squad readiness for the upcoming Aluminij clash. Across the border, Croatian HAŠK Sokol celebrated survival in the 1. ŽNL‑VS, and Serbian giants Partizan appointed Saša Ilić as head coach ahead of a fixture with Zemun. In Bosnia, FK Sloboda Tuzla added goalkeeper Igor Rončević and NK Čelik bolstered its midfield with veteran Faruk Gogić. Zemun drew 2‑2 with Partizan on 19 July, salvaging a point with an injury‑time equaliser; Ilić called the performance “anarchy” and urged faster squad completion. The U12 side of NK Roltek DOB finished third at the Giuseppe Biasuzzi Fažana Brioni Cup in Croatia. Aluminij reinforced its goalkeeping with Lukas Tomažič and Matjaž Rozman. Nafta 1903 was set to host Mura in the first pre‑kmurje derby, with coach Mere Hermosa debuting for Nafta. On 1 August 2026, two high‑profile Slovenian derbies unfolded. Maribor beat Celje 1‑0 after Jan Mlakar’s assist set up Žiga Repas’s decisive goal, with police deploying extra officers and traffic restrictions to ensure safety. Later in Lendava, Nafta 1903 thrashed Mura 5‑2, thanks to forward Amadej Maroša’s double and assist, propelling Nafta to the top of the league table while Mura remained on two points after two matches. Both clubs highlighted strong fan support and optimism ahead of the season.

Timeline

  1. 7 days ago

    [SPORTS] 10 sources
    NK Maribor and NK Celje draw 1-1 in Stajerski derby

    NK Maribor and NK Celje drew 1‑1 in the Stajerski derby on 1 Aug 2026, with goals by Žiga Repas and Darko Hrka; police ensured security and coach Vitor Campelos praised the match.

  2. 17 days ago

    [SPORTS] 4 sources
    Slovenian football clubs celebrate youth tournament podium and a new goalkeeper signing

    NK Roltek DOB placed third at the Fažana U12 tournament, while NK Aluminij signed goalkeeper Lukas Tomažič from Rudar Velenje ahead of the new season.

  3. 19 days ago

    [SPORTS] 7 sources
    Partizan draws 2-2 with Zemun, coach Ilić criticises performance

    Partizan’s 2-2 season‑opening draw with Zemun prompted coach Saša Ilić to criticise the team’s lack of professionalism, while captain Vanja Marinković reports an encouraging recovery from an Achilles injury.

  4. 20 days ago

    [SPORTS] 4 sources
    Bosnian clubs bolster squads with new signings ahead of 2026 season

    FK Sloboda Tuzla signs goalkeeper Igor Rončević and NK Čelik adds midfielder Faruk Gogić, both aiming to strengthen their squads for the 2026 season.

  5. 22 days ago

    [SPORTS] 11 sources
    Slovenian and Croatian football clubs start season with wins, transfers and coach remarks

    Nafta lost 0‑2 to Koper; Olimpija fell 0‑2 to Grosuplje; HAŠK Sokol secured 1. ŽNL‑VS survival; David Pejičić moved to Udinese; Milanič confident before Maribor's opener; Saša Ilić debuted as Partizan coach.

  6. 22 days ago

    [SPORTS] 6 sources
    Agustin Doffo signs new two‑year deal to rejoin Olimpija Ljubljana

    Agustin Doffo has re‑signed with NK Olimpija Ljubljana on a two‑year contract, aiming to help the club win the league, cup and return to Europe.

  7. 24 days ago

    [SPORTS] 3 sources
    Slovenian football clubs launch 2026/27 campaigns, with Radomlje women eyeing UEFA debut and Odranci sign striker Anej H

    ŽNK Radomlje prepares for 2026/27 with its first UEFA Women’s Champions League appearance, while NK Odranci bolster their squad by signing striker Anej Horvat.

  8. 24 days ago

    [SPORTS] 3 sources
    Slovenian football clubs bolster squads ahead of new season

    NK Bravo loans Aldin Jakupović from Holstein Kiel while Olimpija Ljubljana negotiates the return of veteran Agustin Doffo as both clubs reshape squads for the new Prva Liga season.

  9. 26 days ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Slovenian PrvaLiga kicks off as Nafta 1903 host Koper

    Slovenian PrvaLiga 2024‑25 opened on 17 July in Lendava as Nafta 1903 hosted Koper, marking a revamp for Nafta and sparking broad fan excitement across the league.

Sources

24ur.com · dnevno.hr · hks-cbf.hr · info.delo.si · lokalec.si · maribor24.si · maxbetsport.rs · mondo.rs · nafta1903.si · nkdob.si · nkolimpija.si · nova.rs · novosti.hr · planetnogomet.si · politika.rs · radiong.hr · robin.si · siol.net · snportal.si · sport-tv.si · sportal.rs · sportalo.hr · sportklub.si · sportni-portal.si · sportskacentrala.com · sportske.jutarnji.hr · srbijadanas.com · telegram.hr · thebullfighters.com · times.si · tuzlainfo.ba · whatson-gambia.com · zenit.ba · zurnal.rs

This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history