Good luck, Mr. Bendis. I will be at your café, enjoying the moment with the rest of the Hajduk fans.
BARCELONA FANS WATCH IN TEARS, AS THE PERPETUAL UNDERDOGS GEAR UP FOR THE MATCH OF THEIR LIVES
PREVIEW: PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN VS. HNK HAJDUK SPLIT - CAMP NOU
Timmy Bendiš, who had to cut a promising career short over an injury, now looks set to take over the world's biggest stage, not as the sell-out team that Ancelotti will be looked as, but rather, "the underdog that could". A sell-out crowd at Camp Nou is always intimidating, but with the music, and the fans at home hoping for what can only be described as a miracle... well... this is the first peak on what will hopefully be a long and fruitful career. Meanwhile, in the Navy section of the fans, Nasser Al-Khelafi will be expecting a return on his massive investment in Carlo Ancelotti and the club. There's only one thing standing in between the Arabs and their trophy though, and, with the 2020 World Cup right around the corner, it would be the ideal time for them to prove that money, in fact, can buy success. On the other hand, Hajduk are probably the last remaining example in Europe where a team built around it's youth academy, and only it's youth academy, can flourish in the biggest matches in Europe. Erik Janža, Slovenia's Young Player of the year runner up in 2016 and 2017, is Hajduk's only foreign import.
Both teams have obvious stars. Luis Suarez looks to win the only trophy that Zlatan Ibrahimović couldn't before the latter moved to Los Angeles for his last paycheck. The Uruguayan, now 31, has scored 10 goals in his campaign, and has frequently kept PSG out of the doghouse. Manchester City, who was the first club to have started the whole "buy now, pay with oil, give a manager hell to work with" was swept aside at the Ethiad, despite a valiant performance in Paris. 3-0. They beat Manchester United in the first round, before getting the relatively easy Celtic, and smashing them.
Hajduk, on the other hand, have Tomislav Kiš. The 23 year old was last year's European Golden Shoe, and is Croatia's pillar in attack. He is strong, fast, and has a fantastic touch on the ball. But, a small injury to the arm put him out against Real Madrid in the first leg of the semifinals, and he was only brought in as a sub during the second. For this? Ivan Džoni, who's father was born and raised at Hajduk, and who brought his son to the attention of Bendiš when he was Hajduk's youth coach, stepped in to take the crown. Džoni scored two, proving his worth, even as a substitute, and sent Hajduk into an unassailable lead against Real Madrid. Something no one thought would be possible.
But PSG have one thing to worry about. On only 1 occasion (except for the return leg against RM which was intentional) Hajduk have failed to score this season. Only one defense has held strong against the Hajduk attack, which is slick, sexy, and fast - Manchester City. So, when they take to the pitch against the Croatians in Barcelona, they need only worry about the desire of the Hajduk players... because, while there is no clear-cut world stars, that underdog team wants it more than anything else.
PREVIEW: PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN VS. HNK HAJDUK SPLIT - CAMP NOU
Timmy Bendiš, who had to cut a promising career short over an injury, now looks set to take over the world's biggest stage, not as the sell-out team that Ancelotti will be looked as, but rather, "the underdog that could". A sell-out crowd at Camp Nou is always intimidating, but with the music, and the fans at home hoping for what can only be described as a miracle... well... this is the first peak on what will hopefully be a long and fruitful career. Meanwhile, in the Navy section of the fans, Nasser Al-Khelafi will be expecting a return on his massive investment in Carlo Ancelotti and the club. There's only one thing standing in between the Arabs and their trophy though, and, with the 2020 World Cup right around the corner, it would be the ideal time for them to prove that money, in fact, can buy success. On the other hand, Hajduk are probably the last remaining example in Europe where a team built around it's youth academy, and only it's youth academy, can flourish in the biggest matches in Europe. Erik Janža, Slovenia's Young Player of the year runner up in 2016 and 2017, is Hajduk's only foreign import.
Both teams have obvious stars. Luis Suarez looks to win the only trophy that Zlatan Ibrahimović couldn't before the latter moved to Los Angeles for his last paycheck. The Uruguayan, now 31, has scored 10 goals in his campaign, and has frequently kept PSG out of the doghouse. Manchester City, who was the first club to have started the whole "buy now, pay with oil, give a manager hell to work with" was swept aside at the Ethiad, despite a valiant performance in Paris. 3-0. They beat Manchester United in the first round, before getting the relatively easy Celtic, and smashing them.
Hajduk, on the other hand, have Tomislav Kiš. The 23 year old was last year's European Golden Shoe, and is Croatia's pillar in attack. He is strong, fast, and has a fantastic touch on the ball. But, a small injury to the arm put him out against Real Madrid in the first leg of the semifinals, and he was only brought in as a sub during the second. For this? Ivan Džoni, who's father was born and raised at Hajduk, and who brought his son to the attention of Bendiš when he was Hajduk's youth coach, stepped in to take the crown. Džoni scored two, proving his worth, even as a substitute, and sent Hajduk into an unassailable lead against Real Madrid. Something no one thought would be possible.
But PSG have one thing to worry about. On only 1 occasion (except for the return leg against RM which was intentional) Hajduk have failed to score this season. Only one defense has held strong against the Hajduk attack, which is slick, sexy, and fast - Manchester City. So, when they take to the pitch against the Croatians in Barcelona, they need only worry about the desire of the Hajduk players... because, while there is no clear-cut world stars, that underdog team wants it more than anything else.
This is going to be so f*cking good...*takes seat in stadium*
I'll be that one crazy fan who doesn't shut up for the whole game, paints his entire body in Hajduk colours, brings a massive drum which he never stops banging (wait, that sounded weird, didn't it?), runs onto the pitch when they score and is eventually escorted out of the stadium by stewards. But hell, IT WAS WORTH EVERY MOMENT!
Orrrrr maybe I could just watch it from the comfort of Café Bendiš and not get myself into any bother..
I'll be that one crazy fan who doesn't shut up for the whole game, paints his entire body in Hajduk colours, brings a massive drum which he never stops banging (wait, that sounded weird, didn't it?), runs onto the pitch when they score and is eventually escorted out of the stadium by stewards. But hell, IT WAS WORTH EVERY MOMENT!
Orrrrr maybe I could just watch it from the comfort of Café Bendiš and not get myself into any bother..
Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
Hehehe, good luck Timmy, you're gonna need it!
http://i49.tinypic.com/fx6t1i.jpg
KIŠ SCORES 7, HAJDUK 13 ON EVE OF PSG MATCH
HAJDUK 13-0 ZAGREB T. KIŠ ('2, '8, '11, '29, '36, '60, '66) (!), T. PESI? ('25, '49), T. MUJAN ('34, '39), M. OREMUŠ ('42, '56)
There are ways to lift a trophy... and then there are ways to lift a trophy. This performance was definitely in the latter category, as second-to-last Zagreb didn't stand a chance against Tomislav Kiš, who broke the last record in the book: Most goals in a game.
Bendiš fielded Kiš in an effort to give the striker back his confidence, after breaking his arm and having to watch from the sidelines for 6 weeks. He made sure that the rest of the team played solely around the striker, and for him. For that game only, it was Kiš who wouldn't have to lift a finger to be the center of attention. But, as usual, the Hajduk born-and-raised forward defeated all expectations.
With a range of goals going from left foot, right foot, headers, crosses, long-range, and God only knows what else, Kiš played like the master he is, against a Zagreb side that simply wasn't equipped to handle what was, at that given moment, the best player in the world. And after a first half that defied reality, Kiš kept going on into the second, playing a magnificent assist, along with 3 key passes to goals, before getting goals 6 and 7 for himself.
When he was subbed off in the 70th minute, the crowd erupted into an outrageous standing ovation. The city shook, dust started fell off the pillars that hadn't been touched in years, and it lasted for 15 minutes. Kiš was brought to tears, and took a lap on the athletic track while the match was still playing, before joining the sold-out crowd in songs for the last twenty minutes. And, while it was still technically going on, it just wasn't the same without him.
Tomi Kiš joined the Hajduk team to lift the trophy, the pitch was swarmed with ecstatic fans. This was the Hajduk they remembered, the one that they had loved through thick and thin, as a parent loves their children. That was the Hajduk they had always loved unconditionally. But this... this... was the Hajduk they deserved.
Paris, you have been warned.
KIŠ SCORES 7, HAJDUK 13 ON EVE OF PSG MATCH
HAJDUK 13-0 ZAGREB T. KIŠ ('2, '8, '11, '29, '36, '60, '66) (!), T. PESI? ('25, '49), T. MUJAN ('34, '39), M. OREMUŠ ('42, '56)
There are ways to lift a trophy... and then there are ways to lift a trophy. This performance was definitely in the latter category, as second-to-last Zagreb didn't stand a chance against Tomislav Kiš, who broke the last record in the book: Most goals in a game.
Bendiš fielded Kiš in an effort to give the striker back his confidence, after breaking his arm and having to watch from the sidelines for 6 weeks. He made sure that the rest of the team played solely around the striker, and for him. For that game only, it was Kiš who wouldn't have to lift a finger to be the center of attention. But, as usual, the Hajduk born-and-raised forward defeated all expectations.
With a range of goals going from left foot, right foot, headers, crosses, long-range, and God only knows what else, Kiš played like the master he is, against a Zagreb side that simply wasn't equipped to handle what was, at that given moment, the best player in the world. And after a first half that defied reality, Kiš kept going on into the second, playing a magnificent assist, along with 3 key passes to goals, before getting goals 6 and 7 for himself.
When he was subbed off in the 70th minute, the crowd erupted into an outrageous standing ovation. The city shook, dust started fell off the pillars that hadn't been touched in years, and it lasted for 15 minutes. Kiš was brought to tears, and took a lap on the athletic track while the match was still playing, before joining the sold-out crowd in songs for the last twenty minutes. And, while it was still technically going on, it just wasn't the same without him.
Tomi Kiš joined the Hajduk team to lift the trophy, the pitch was swarmed with ecstatic fans. This was the Hajduk they remembered, the one that they had loved through thick and thin, as a parent loves their children. That was the Hajduk they had always loved unconditionally. But this... this... was the Hajduk they deserved.
Paris, you have been warned.
http://i49.tinypic.com/ofmvl4.jpg
THE TEARS OF THE ADRIATIC
HAJDUK SPLIT 4-4 (PEN. 4-5) PARIS ST. GERMAIN M. LJUBI?I? x3, T. PESI?
The 80th minute came and went. It was a tense moment for the Hajduk crowd, at home and at the stadium. Mario Ljubi?i? had scored his 2nd goal of the match giving Hajduk a narrow 2-1 lead in the 72nd. In the excitement surrounded Ljubi?i?'s and Kiš's combo goal, a Hajduk mad Scot had run onto the field to join the players for a hug, before being detained by the authorities. But the Hajduk players were still as nervy as ever; hoping, praying... even longing for that final whistle. They wanted it so much.
This was a group of players, that, six years ago, when Bendiš took over, wanted to leave. Nearly every single one of them wanted their paychecks abroad. And some succeeded. Goran Milovi?'s agent took his player to Moscow, where he floundered for two seasons before getting flogged off to Terek. Josip Radoševi? just now picked up his first Eredivisie title with Ajax, and not even as a key player. But all the players that had tried to leave? They were, at that moment, watching the match on a big screen in Split, wondering what they had done wrong. Because, at that given moment, 1 600 kilometers away, 11 boys who were born and raised under Hajduk's colors, were playing against one of the biggest teams in the world in front of 100 000 people for the biggest trophy in Sport.
And they were sitting at home.
Mario Ljubi?i? had hit the opener as well. In the 20th minute, with a simple, weighted pass from Franko Andrijaševi?, Ljubi?i? danced inside the box, hit a ball off the diving Salvatore Sirigu before catching up to the rebound and smashing it into the net. It was a proud moment for the club, as it looked like they had dominated their far more illustrious rivals. But only then did they witness what they could do. Carlo Ancelotti got his goal back in less than ten minutes, as Luis Suarez drifted onside before taking an excellent goal against Blaževi?.
In the 85th, Hajduk was looking at that trophy and picturing it in their trophy cabinet. Five minutes to go, and PSG were looking less and less likely to score. Bendiš looked up at the stands, and saw the waves of Hajduk colours filling the stadium. This was the first year that UEFA had authorized 90% of the tickets to go to the fans of the clubs involved. And Hajduk's fans were loud and pleased. There was nothing but a wall of white behind Blaževi?'s goal, a bellowing, terrifying wall of white. And all of them. All 40 000 fans, all 11 players, the entire technical staff, the chairman of the club, Bendiš's best friend, his girlfriend and his girlfriend sitting in the presidential box, were all waiting for that final whistle to blow.
But it never came.
Somehow - perhaps it was the years of jeering in England - Luis Suarez got into the box, and heeled the ball into the way of Jérémy Ménez, to score a simple goal in the 89th. And with that, the final whistle blew. The fans didn't hear it though, thy were still shocked from the goal. But, as the players took to the pitch again for extra time, they started singing words of encouragement. And, after a shaky couple minutes, the wall grew in confidence to become the terrifying beast it once was. And Pesi? felt it. Playing right win in absence of any other person that could, the 19 year old got on the end of a cross from Tomi Kiš to pound the ball into the net and give Hajduk the lead again.
Bendiš was, naturally running up and down the touchline. He had never been so close. The 26 year old had never dreamed he'd be so close to the trophy, and yet here it was. But before he could so much as change his tactics, Luis Suarez scored his second of the match, equalizing it in the 105th.
And then, Mario Ljubi?i? said: it's over. Ljubi?i?, 20, scored the first hattrick in a Champions League final in 56 years with a neat header on the far post. Ljubi?i? did this in the 119th minute, and Ljubi?i? thought that it was over. Bendiš thought it was over. The engravers had almost started putting Hajduk's name on the trophy before Lucas Moura got to the edge of the box and smashed one into the net in the 121st.
Split nearly resembled the chaos when Croatia made the Quarterfinals of the European Championships in Austria, only to be defeated by Turkey in the 122nd minute. The fans in the city, and in the stadium for that matter, were silent. And then, a Hajduk that knew it couldn't win on penalties was sentenced to their worst nightmare. They held strong, but Salvatore Sirigu blocked out Josip Baši?'s shot to claim Europe's greatest crown.
Bendiš's girlfriend ran down the steps to console him. He stared blankly at the ground, as the Parisians celebrated. It wasn't pretty. But she came, and hugged him, and Bendiš remembered something. Tentatively, he went into his pocket and pulled out a small box, before going down to one knee. The Hajduk crowd, which had been silent, gasped, and pretty much sucked all the air out of the stadium, before he opened the tiny box to reveal a small glimmer. She waited a second before looking down at Bendiš and, speechless, nodding yes.
And the crowd went absolutely bananas.
For Bendiš, it didn't matter that much anymore. As he always told his players... "There's always next year". But maybe this time, next year would be a little easier with her at his side. The players knew they deserved that win, regardless of the score... and this time, if at all possible, they wanted that trophy even more.
THE TEARS OF THE ADRIATIC
HAJDUK SPLIT 4-4 (PEN. 4-5) PARIS ST. GERMAIN M. LJUBI?I? x3, T. PESI?
The 80th minute came and went. It was a tense moment for the Hajduk crowd, at home and at the stadium. Mario Ljubi?i? had scored his 2nd goal of the match giving Hajduk a narrow 2-1 lead in the 72nd. In the excitement surrounded Ljubi?i?'s and Kiš's combo goal, a Hajduk mad Scot had run onto the field to join the players for a hug, before being detained by the authorities. But the Hajduk players were still as nervy as ever; hoping, praying... even longing for that final whistle. They wanted it so much.
This was a group of players, that, six years ago, when Bendiš took over, wanted to leave. Nearly every single one of them wanted their paychecks abroad. And some succeeded. Goran Milovi?'s agent took his player to Moscow, where he floundered for two seasons before getting flogged off to Terek. Josip Radoševi? just now picked up his first Eredivisie title with Ajax, and not even as a key player. But all the players that had tried to leave? They were, at that moment, watching the match on a big screen in Split, wondering what they had done wrong. Because, at that given moment, 1 600 kilometers away, 11 boys who were born and raised under Hajduk's colors, were playing against one of the biggest teams in the world in front of 100 000 people for the biggest trophy in Sport.
And they were sitting at home.
Mario Ljubi?i? had hit the opener as well. In the 20th minute, with a simple, weighted pass from Franko Andrijaševi?, Ljubi?i? danced inside the box, hit a ball off the diving Salvatore Sirigu before catching up to the rebound and smashing it into the net. It was a proud moment for the club, as it looked like they had dominated their far more illustrious rivals. But only then did they witness what they could do. Carlo Ancelotti got his goal back in less than ten minutes, as Luis Suarez drifted onside before taking an excellent goal against Blaževi?.
In the 85th, Hajduk was looking at that trophy and picturing it in their trophy cabinet. Five minutes to go, and PSG were looking less and less likely to score. Bendiš looked up at the stands, and saw the waves of Hajduk colours filling the stadium. This was the first year that UEFA had authorized 90% of the tickets to go to the fans of the clubs involved. And Hajduk's fans were loud and pleased. There was nothing but a wall of white behind Blaževi?'s goal, a bellowing, terrifying wall of white. And all of them. All 40 000 fans, all 11 players, the entire technical staff, the chairman of the club, Bendiš's best friend, his girlfriend and his girlfriend sitting in the presidential box, were all waiting for that final whistle to blow.
But it never came.
Somehow - perhaps it was the years of jeering in England - Luis Suarez got into the box, and heeled the ball into the way of Jérémy Ménez, to score a simple goal in the 89th. And with that, the final whistle blew. The fans didn't hear it though, thy were still shocked from the goal. But, as the players took to the pitch again for extra time, they started singing words of encouragement. And, after a shaky couple minutes, the wall grew in confidence to become the terrifying beast it once was. And Pesi? felt it. Playing right win in absence of any other person that could, the 19 year old got on the end of a cross from Tomi Kiš to pound the ball into the net and give Hajduk the lead again.
Bendiš was, naturally running up and down the touchline. He had never been so close. The 26 year old had never dreamed he'd be so close to the trophy, and yet here it was. But before he could so much as change his tactics, Luis Suarez scored his second of the match, equalizing it in the 105th.
And then, Mario Ljubi?i? said: it's over. Ljubi?i?, 20, scored the first hattrick in a Champions League final in 56 years with a neat header on the far post. Ljubi?i? did this in the 119th minute, and Ljubi?i? thought that it was over. Bendiš thought it was over. The engravers had almost started putting Hajduk's name on the trophy before Lucas Moura got to the edge of the box and smashed one into the net in the 121st.
Split nearly resembled the chaos when Croatia made the Quarterfinals of the European Championships in Austria, only to be defeated by Turkey in the 122nd minute. The fans in the city, and in the stadium for that matter, were silent. And then, a Hajduk that knew it couldn't win on penalties was sentenced to their worst nightmare. They held strong, but Salvatore Sirigu blocked out Josip Baši?'s shot to claim Europe's greatest crown.
Bendiš's girlfriend ran down the steps to console him. He stared blankly at the ground, as the Parisians celebrated. It wasn't pretty. But she came, and hugged him, and Bendiš remembered something. Tentatively, he went into his pocket and pulled out a small box, before going down to one knee. The Hajduk crowd, which had been silent, gasped, and pretty much sucked all the air out of the stadium, before he opened the tiny box to reveal a small glimmer. She waited a second before looking down at Bendiš and, speechless, nodding yes.
And the crowd went absolutely bananas.
For Bendiš, it didn't matter that much anymore. As he always told his players... "There's always next year". But maybe this time, next year would be a little easier with her at his side. The players knew they deserved that win, regardless of the score... and this time, if at all possible, they wanted that trophy even more.
Wow..what a brilliant final. So, so, unlucky to lose on penalties, I can sympathize with that feeling. I know you will return, and I know you will win!
Really well written update, as usual. I'm glad you didn't win the CL this year, because it gives you something to work towards next season.
Absolutely gutted for you, even after you completely insulted me!
But there's always next year, and I'll certainly be back at the stadium performing my usual antics again
But there's always next year, and I'll certainly be back at the stadium performing my usual antics again
Bendiš's best friend, his girlfriend and his girlfriendI just can't help it, when reading this update first time round, I read that as "his best friend (who also happens to be his girlfriend), and his actual girlfriend." Two-timing b@stard!
A flight departed Paris on Monday afternoon after the Champions League final. Bendiš had the misfortune of having to connect through Charles de Gaulle, and, not only did he have to deal with the taunts by the security staff, but also, as he was waiting for his next flight in the business lounge, Carlo Ancelotti walked by with a few of his investors, speaking in Arabic. They held eye contact for a second, before Ancelotti courteously nodded his head, and Bendiš back. He held a tear back, but it wasn't easy.
His now fiancé had taken an earlier flight back, so Bendiš sat with his players. None of them were thrilled, but Bendiš made sure to lift their spirits. That was the Champions League final. No one had given them a chance. Next year, they would come back bigger, stronger, and better. No one was aging past their prime, like PSG. Luis Suarez would be 32! But there would be only one person in their 30s for Hajduk, and that was their keeper, Goran Blažević. Hajduk were getting better each year, and rolling right into their prime.
Didn't stop them from being upset though... it was a long flight to Paris, only to be taunted constantly... and it was another long flight back to Split. At least they didn't have to fly through Zagreb.
The mood was still solemn though, until after they collected their luggage. They looked through the glass at the Arrivals gate and noticed a large crowd in the airport. The team grabbed their bags, and Bendiš, done first, started the line of players on the way out. As the sliding door opened, and Bendiš stood the atrium of a not-very-large airport filled to the brim with fans. They saw him, and cheered so loud that the not-very-young airport lobby shook. Bendiš, and the team, had forgotten. It wasn't that they went to Barcelona and lost. It was that they went to Barcelona and tried.
MEANWHILE... SEASON AWARDS:
CROATIAN GOLDEN BOOT: TOMISLAV KIŠ (HAJDUK) - 33 goals/26 apps. (Runner up, M. Ljubičić - 32/32)
CROATIAN PLAYER OF THE YEAR: TOMISLAV KIŠ (HAJDUK) - 9 MoM AWARDS
Tomi Kiš becomes the first player to have ever won the Golden boot four times back to back. He also set the Average rating record at 7.99
His now fiancé had taken an earlier flight back, so Bendiš sat with his players. None of them were thrilled, but Bendiš made sure to lift their spirits. That was the Champions League final. No one had given them a chance. Next year, they would come back bigger, stronger, and better. No one was aging past their prime, like PSG. Luis Suarez would be 32! But there would be only one person in their 30s for Hajduk, and that was their keeper, Goran Blažević. Hajduk were getting better each year, and rolling right into their prime.
Didn't stop them from being upset though... it was a long flight to Paris, only to be taunted constantly... and it was another long flight back to Split. At least they didn't have to fly through Zagreb.
The mood was still solemn though, until after they collected their luggage. They looked through the glass at the Arrivals gate and noticed a large crowd in the airport. The team grabbed their bags, and Bendiš, done first, started the line of players on the way out. As the sliding door opened, and Bendiš stood the atrium of a not-very-large airport filled to the brim with fans. They saw him, and cheered so loud that the not-very-young airport lobby shook. Bendiš, and the team, had forgotten. It wasn't that they went to Barcelona and lost. It was that they went to Barcelona and tried.
MEANWHILE... SEASON AWARDS:
CROATIAN GOLDEN BOOT: TOMISLAV KIŠ (HAJDUK) - 33 goals/26 apps. (Runner up, M. Ljubičić - 32/32)
CROATIAN PLAYER OF THE YEAR: TOMISLAV KIŠ (HAJDUK) - 9 MoM AWARDS
Tomi Kiš becomes the first player to have ever won the Golden boot four times back to back. He also set the Average rating record at 7.99
You are reading "[FM13]The Adriatic Adventure [Hajduk Split]".
