http://i49.tinypic.com/ofmvl4.jpg
HAJDUK FACE BERNABEAU AT THE BERNABEAU
It was the evening on the day before the match. Bendiš and his girlfriend were walking through the streets on a wet night in April, as Hajduk prepared to face Real Madrid, and José Mourinho. But this was not the night for football. The two had been together for nearly two years, and, recently it had become somewhat of a custom for them to go together and take a few days off for Hajduk's grand European adventures. So, while Hajduk playing against Fenerbahçe was somewhat of a break for Bendiš professionally, Fenerbahçe, as thanks for Bendiš's accommodations in Split, were more than happy to provide a stunning room on the banks of the Bosphorus.
They enjoyed Madrid as they first enjoyed Zagreb together. As it poured outside, the couple managed to get out of their room before visiting the Prado in it's mid-week deserted glory. Then, a visit to the Calle of Alcala, before going to the fountain of Neptune, before giving up on the rain and going back to the hotel.
Bendiš was remarkably less worried about the match until the next morning. She had a way of making him forget those things that worried him. But the next morning, the worrying was back. He stopped by Café Central, where he went through the mail of the morning. Unfortunately, on his computer. It was the one negative thing about traveling, he didn't get the mail in his mailbox. But it was no matter. He didn't receive email, anyway - most people wrote paper letters to him... so it was a short check. He flipped open La Marca and found the odds against Hajduk. A mere 4 to 1. 15 to 1 said Hajduk won by more than 1, and bookies weren't even taking bets on a 3-0 win for the Croatians. The odds would be ridiculous. Real Madrid were gambling at 1.15.
But that was La Marca, naturally they would be Pro-Madrid.
So, he took a look at a copy of Jutarnji List he had picked up at the train station. And he threw it away almost immediately. Hajduk beats Madrid: 5 to 1
As the match came closer, Bendiš had less and less to do. So, all dressed up, he met with his girlfriend who had some business with press in the morning. Hajduk buying back Poljud had generated quite a bit of interest, and there were a few journalists who wanted to write a grand story on the topic. There was plenty of time though
Bendiš performed at the press conference as he should. He dared not provoke Mourinho for fear of his silver tongue, but Bendiš held his cool, and was nothing but deferent to the Royal club. Mourinho saw the underdog and laughed.
But then the match started. And it quickly degenerated into something quite extraordinary. It took 13 seconds - thirteen very short seconds - for Ivan Džoni to score for Hajduk. Mourinho, who had just sat down, missed the goal, and while his assistant already had his head in his hands, and the crowd just barely registered the shock, he didn't know what happened until 30, 45 seconds in. And, boy was he furious.
Not only that, but against all odds, Ivan Džoni popped up again, in the 21st. Real Madrid very much in control, an insurgent Mario Ljubi?i? dashed up the right before knocking a lovely through ball into the center for Ivan Džoni to run around Seb Coates.
And Hajduk were more than happy to take that and run. Mourinho had torn up his notes twice by then, and the crowd back in Split were dancing like nothing would ever stop them. Mourinho had managed everything. He had managed to dominate Hajduk. In fact, such was the run with the ball that Hajduk had
barely 30% of possession in the first half. They had registered only two shots. But it's what you do with those stats that count, and, in the 60th minute, Hajduk hit one more shot. Iker Casillas got to the block, denying Ivan Džoni a hattrick against Real Madrid (of all teams). But Ton?i Mujan, well, he was just too fast. The winger got to the ball first, and with the goal at his mercy pummeled it into the back of the net, prompting groans from the crowd.
0-3 for Hajduk at Santiago Bernabeau, and the second the final whistle blew, his girlfriend ran out the tunnel, and the two of them enjoyed a moment to themselves while 90 000 Spaniards filed out so quickly you'd have thought there was a bomb.
Can Hajduk hold on in Split? Perhaps, with Tomi Kiš on board, they can make it look even worse.
http://i43.tinypic.com/2rh2vme.jpg
http://i43.tinypic.com/b66d1f.jpg