[FM13]The Adriatic Adventure [Hajduk Split]

ANOTHER VICTORY. HAJDUK WITHIN GRASP OF QUALIFICATION
RED BULL SALZBURG 1-2 HAJDUK M. TRIFKOVIĆ, T. KIŠ
A penalty taken by Tomislav Kiš, who is looking forward to the strongest season in his career, and has already scored an obscene amount of goals, in the 87th minute sealed Salzburg's inevitable fate, as Hajduk who had absolutely dominated proceedings in Austria, walked away with 1 million euros and three points.

It was truly a simple match. Mirnes Trifković opened the scoring in the 27th minute, after a rebound off the crossbar just in front of him. The Croatian/Slovenian midfielder took the ball off the bounce and powered it into the top corner. However, Salzburg came back, and with one of their three shots on goal, scored a goal against the run of play. It wasn't meant to be though. A foul in the box gave Hajduk's legend the chance to score from the spot, and Kiš showed why he was the best striker in Europe.

MEANWHILE... IN ZAGREB
Dinamo have defeated Chelsea, in possibly the weirdest result of the round, where they managed to score three beautiful counterattacking goals, all against the run of play.

DEPLETED HAJDUK MANAGE COUNTER-ATTACKING MIRACLE IN CUP
HAJDUK 2-0 SPLIT I. DŽONI x2
It honestly didn't look like Hajduk were going to win. And it's not because Hajduk are bad. Hajduk, at full strength, are one of the best teams in the world. So why wouldn't they be playing well against their local rivals... at home no less?

Well... because Hajduk was busy playing against Spain in an international friendly. 8 of Hajduk's players started against the Spaniards, and, in their 5-1 loss, due to terrible mismanagement by Dalibor Zebić, only Tomislav Kiš scored (shocking).

But Hajduk were not in Split. Hajduk was busy pulling on their occasional chequered jersey in Barcelona. Split was there, in red. There entire first, second, and third team.

So Bendiš, fearing the worst, walked into the dressing room, looked at his player list and, failing to look up, said "Okay Ramić, you're starting today". Hašib Ramić (Serbian: Хасиб Рамић), Blažević's eventual replacement in goal, was 17, but an excellent sweeper keeper, and had a boatload of potential.

Except that he was in Belgrade... playing for the Serbian U21s.

"Excuse me?"

It turned out that most of Bendiš's second string had been called up for internationals as well, leaving only Ivan Džoni, last season's and the seasons' before last hero of Madrid, Josip Radošević, who never made it to the international setup, despite moving to Ajax, Mirnes Trifković, whom Bendiš removed from the Slovenia squad, Toni Topić, who rarely replaces Pešić on the right wing, and... no... that's it.

But he got lucky, oh, he got lucky in the reserves. Thimo Primke, a former Hertha Prospect who moved to Hajduk at the end of his youth contract on a free, went to the right wing, leaving Topić on the left. And then, Josip Tomašević, who failed to secure a move away from Hajduk in the summer, took up the defense next to Radošević, normally a BWM. Danko Ravnić played in the middle, and Bendiš just locked up shop. With a 16 year old on goal... nothing was safe.

The 16 year old, though, who, according to every coach in the country, has absolutely no potential in the world. He defied his years, keeping the score level in the first half. In the second though, he made a massive triple save, blocking things from all over the net. And, after he finally grasped onto the ball, sensing the opportunity, he just kicked it as far as he could.

Ivan Džoni knew where it was, and, chasing after the ball, got to it before the keeper, just outside the box. With the open goal, Džoni scored #1, giving the unlikely 16 year old his first career assist. A double save later, and this time, Danko Ravnić saw the chance, feeding Džoni for a second goal, giving Hajduk what must have been the least likely victory of all time.

With an average age of 18, Bendiš had defeated the local rivals, and, as the crowd stormed the pitch, they carried the legend on his shoulders, while Croatia struggled to defeat in Barcelona

you did awesome to pull any sort of result well played!

30 METER, LAST GASP KIŠ FREE KICK GIVES HAJDUK QUALIFICATION
LOSC 2-3 HAJDUK P. BAŠIĆ, M. TRIFKOVIĆ, T. KIŠ
Jean Pierre Papin was dancing on the touchline. This was too good. They were at home, and not 15 minutes had past, before LOSC had a 2-0 goal lead. And, with Carlos Fierro already scoring an absurd amount of goals (10), They could look forward to even more. The Mexican superstar himself even went close in the 24th, but the Marseille/Milan/Bayern legend would not celebrate a third, as Hajduk held on until the end of the first half.

The Hajduk squad, on the other hand, were terrified of what Bendiš would have to say when they walked into the dressing room. He was rarely abusive, but his anger was not a pretty sight. This was not how they envisioned walking back through the dugout.

Bendiš was silent as they filed in. And he remained silent. He just sat there looking at the team charts.

Bendiš was never silent. Subdued, yes. His fiancée leaving him had not been a pleasant time for him, but he still managed a few motivational words now and again.

But silent. No... this was much worse than being screamed at.

After fifteen minutes, he stood up and said, "Now that you've thought about what you've done, get the fucking job done."

And they did just that. The defense cleared a ball all the way to the half, before a delightful triple pass between Kiš, Trifković and Pešić ended up with Pero Bašić in front of the goal for the first goal in the 61st. Then, Bašić ran up the left flank, and, with a cross that accidentally floated past Kiš, landed squarely on Trifkovič's outstretched foot, as he rounded the narrow angle with a spectacular shot across the goalmouth and into the corner.

76 minutes had passed, Papin was screaming at the edge of his box, and Bendiš was standing... waiting.

Bendiš never got it wrong, as, with a clumsy foul far from the goal, Tomislav Kiš was given the last kick of the game. It was the right side, and, with a dismal chance, Kiš got it. A powerful effort that lodged itself just in between the keeper and the bar. Aliaksandar Hutar, the Bulgarian national keeper, tried to get a fingertip to it, but all he succeeded doing was glancing the ball into the top of the net. Papin swirled, throwing his pen at the ground, furious, and Bendiš kissed his hand, and pointed at the sky.

LOSC 2, Hajduk 3, as Hajduk have yet to lose this season.

MEANWHILE...
It was a late night at Bendiš's café, full as usual, and Iva made her way down from the apartment. Work had been pretty light that day, but she still needed to field a few calls from Munich. Always fun.

Bendiš, in full swing of the evening, was banging away at the piano, his customary scotch on top, untouched, as usual. They finished up Superstition, before starting on their rendition of La Vie on Rose, when Iva sat next to him on the piano. Bendiš glanced down, before smiling approvingly, as she leaned against him for the slow song.

I just love your writing style, now that I read it I see so many similarities to what I've been trying to do...it's like I've been inadvertently inspired by something I never would have thought to look at.
That team "talk" was about as motivating as it gets, and once again Kis comes up with the answers. Such a brilliant turnaround, and hopefully Papin and his broken pen will never underestimate you again.

Brilliant update, thoroughly enjoyed it. Kis on the scoresheet again

What a great write-up, and what an amazing play by Kis. No wonder you have the amount of reverence you do for him.

KIŠ TIES 14 YEAR OLD GOALSCORING RECORD, AS HAJDUK GO TO EGYPT 5.XII.2020.g.
ISTRA 0-3 HAJDUK T. TOPI?, M. TRIFKOVI?, T. KIŠ
Tomislav Kiš's 84th minute poacher's effort against Istra, the goal that absolutely sunk the boat, tied Eduardo Da Silva's brilliant 34 goals in the 2006-2007 season for Dinamo Zagreb. Eduardo's 34 goals prompted Arsenal's massive buy on the Brazilian born Croatian forward, and it remains one of the largest transfers from the Croatian First Divison.

The only difference between Kiš's 34 goals and Eduardo's 34 goals is that Kiš still has another 18 games to play.

Suspended for only one match in the first part of the season, Kiš has a frankly quite unbelievable record of a goal scored every 45 minutes he plays, something that even Lionel Messi cannot brag about, and, with his ridiculous goalscoring charts, he is easily the leading candidate to win the European Golden Boot, as he has more than triple the highest goalscorer in the Big 5 (Benzia, 11, OL)

It has not only been Kiš though. Mirnes Trifkovi?, 23, is turning in several excellent performances, and with a year and a half to go before eligible for Croatia, it remains to be seen whether the Slovenian will play for his adopted country, as Bendiš has been hoping for. Playing in the front of the park, he has been instrumental in setting up runs for the marauding poacher, as has been the sublime Teo Peši?, who has been rotating around the middle and the right of the park, occasionally being subbed on by the fantastically young star, Admir Lotinac. 19, he looks to be going on from last season's height and goes into the CWC with every chance of being the first person to win back-to-back Best Player awards.

http://i59.tinypic.com/oh4byu.jpg

http://i61.tinypic.com/6ef0ac.jpg

http://i59.tinypic.com/21c9slf.jpg

Hajduk's defense is shaky. They have failed to build on it, and it frankly looks like a disaster waiting to happen. There has been talk of Bendiš moving Antonio Mili? to the back of the park and simply playing with Josip Radoševi?, resigned from Ajax last season, in the middle, rather than rotating them. But then it remains to be seen: who will be dropped: Josip Elež or Mario Malo?a? Or, will Bendiš operate on a triple rotating pattern. Bendiš is also bringing in Cafézinho, who will join on his birthday in two years' time, (about the time Malo?a will be in serious decline), and as such, will also have HG status

http://i59.tinypic.com/2vah1kx.jpg

http://i59.tinypic.com/wqydqt.jpg

http://i58.tinypic.com/219w5d4.jpg

http://i59.tinypic.com/2vii4wy.jpg

http://i61.tinypic.com/33k9iu0.jpg

None better is the goalkeeper scenario. Hašib Rami?, 17, is better, but far from the quality of the Croatia stalwart, Goran Blaževi?, who is turning 35 in June. Bendiš is also bringing in Brazilian goalkeeping prospect that will look to gain home-grown status and Croatian citizenship while playing for Hajduk. Fred, who joins on his birthday in July, will provide absolute competition for Rami? at Hajduk, and, if both decide to go that route, for Croatia. Rami? will be nearly 21 when he becomes eligible for Croatia, Fred will be 23 to the day. He will join for 1.8 M €.

http://i58.tinypic.com/fcv0h.jpg

http://i62.tinypic.com/nbx2xf.jpg

The largest problem isn't for Bendiš to find players. He is brilliant at it. He only brings in players that he knows will receive Home grown status, he only brings in people that he knows will live and die for the club and his country. The real problem is that, in the last couple years, his youth intake has been dismal. Toni Bjelanovi?, 18, currently on loan at West Brom, is the clubs greatest hope, at left back, where Hrvoje Žlidar has the position under lock and key.

http://i57.tinypic.com/314at1y.jpg

http://i57.tinypic.com/2rh4585.jpg

What can't be doubted though, is that, even with subpar intakes, Hajduk's coaching team still turns them into excellent players, as demonstrated by the fact that they seem to be on another golden run for the U19 European Champions Cup.

MEANWHILE...
"Hey, I'm going to Egypt for a few weeks, do you want to come? I know it's a big trip and all, but we'll be able to fly down on the private plane, and have a few nights in Cairo. It's normally a lot of fun." Bendiš was shouting admittedly, she was in the shower, and he didn't want to get rejected. It was his first longer trip since the European Championship, but, he was indeed right, the Club World Championships were normally a spectacle. And, with Cairo on the cards, it would hardly be a dull time. He'd still have to manage the semifinal and the final, but still...

"What?!"

So Bendiš moved closer, and repeated himself, slower this time, he was at the door to the bathroom, but she still couldn't hear.

"Why don't you just come in here with me and tell me, there's no use in wasting the water."

Teo Pesic looks very very good! It will be a super class player!
Zdilar is still young can grow a lot, just make sure you will not be stolen.

You very young and very good players, good luck and take care of them!

Your updates are amazing, and she's right! No use wasting water

DINAMO, HAJDUK MOVE ON, AS EUROPEAN FOOTBALL ENTERS CROATIA'S GOLDEN AGE
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ROUND OF 16
DINAMO(P) (AGG.) 1-1 AJAX
HAJDUK [AGG.] 5-3 OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS
"And here's the final shot... and DINAMO IS THROUGH! HALILOVIĆ SENDS DINAMO THROUGH THE PENALTY SHOOTOUT HERE IN AMSTERDAM, WHAT A GAME, WHAT A RESULT. AJAX HAS FALLEN!"

"And Tomislav Kiš has Mario Ljubičić with a long ball forward, but Kiš is on the end of it, AND HE'S BROKEN THE OFFSIDE TRAP, CAN HE BEAT THE KEEPER? GONE! HAJDUK 2, LYON 0!"

Tuesday, and Wednesday. Two of Croatia's biggest teams played their games in Europe. Dinamo defended their solitary goal at home in Amsterdam, and it was not easy. Franck de Boer's onslaught lasted for ages and ages. It was thought that it never was going to end, and, when Ajax pulled the goal back, it looked like Dinamo might crumble.

They didn't though, and an hour later, in front of thousands of hostile fans, Dinamo made its way from the group stage that no one thought they would qualify from, to the first round, where they weren't given half a chance, to the Final Eight. All thanks to a free ticket to the group stage from Hajduk.

Hajduk played to their imperious best. The young Nikica Ivančić, only 18, linked up brilliantly with Pero Bašić and Tomislav Kiš to give himself a few vital passes on his player stats, but it was the talismanic forward who made it happen, yet again, as Dejan Lovren, the only other Croatian on the pitch (well, him and Lyon's manager, Slaven Bilić) could not cover his national team leader.

Bendiš, working off a long week, came home, exhausted off the flight from Lyon, and was thrilled to be picked up by his beautiful "roommate" at the airport.

Split is a small town. Going out to dinner together, and sitting, alone, on the private balcony isn't going to get you any privacy in it...

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ROUND OF 16

[FRA] OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS 3-5 HAJDUK SPLIT [HRV]
[HRV] DINAMO ZAGREB (P) 1-1 AJAX AMSTERDAM [NED]
[RUS] CSKA MOSKVA 1-4 OLYMPIQUE DE MARSEILLE [FRA]
[ITA] JUVENTUS 5-4 FC BAYERN MüNCHEN [DEU]
[DEU] BAYER LEVERKUSEN 1-4 MANCHESTER UNITED [ENG]
[BEL] STANDARD LIÉGE 2-0 CHELSEA FC [ENG]
[RUS] LOKOMOTIV MOSKVA 1-4 FC BARCELONA [ESP]
[AUT] RB SALZBURG 1-4 MANCHESTER CITY [ENG]

Plot twist: Kiš has an affair with your roommate on the balcony so everyone can see. He never scores (in either sense of the word) again.

I think Europe's "big guns" need to watch out now, the Croats are coming through. Also, Standard Liege beat Chelsea!?!

2014-03-02 17:00#163640 Rablador : Plot twist: Kiš has an affair with your roommate on the balcony so everyone can see. He never scores (in either sense of the word) again.

I think Europe's "big guns" need to watch out now, the Croats are coming through. Also, Standard Liege beat Chelsea!?!

Tsk Tsk Rab... very few people are allowed on my balcony. Also, we must remember that Kiš is only, what, 181 cm... And, for the sake of my argument, he's deeply in love with his childhood sweetheart.

I think that was the biggest surprise of the round. I kind of felt that Dinamo could beat Ajax, but Standard scoring at home AND away was a surprise

--

Current CL Country Count IS:
2: ENGLAND, CROATIA
1: FRANCE, ITALY, BELGIUM, SPAIN

CURRENT EL Country Count IS:
3: FRANCE
1: ENGLAND, GERMANY, BELGIUM, PORTUGAL, SPAIN (Real Madrid is the favorite)

HAJDUK VERSUS DINAMO IN ULTIMATE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GRUDGE MATCH
UEFA CL QUARTERFINAL
Timmy Bendiš and Iva were Hajduk's only representatives in UEFA's Grand Hall, but, with 7 other European clubs there, it was the seat of royalty. And, for the first time in years, Dinamo, lead by Zdravko Mamić, flanked by several of Croatia's more corrupt businessmen, and some members of the FA, filed into the drawing room.

This was their biggest moment. Draw Standard Liége, and they were in with a shout at making it to the next round, draw Barcelona, or City, or OM, or United, or Juventus, they were gone. It was as simple as that. This was clearly Europe's royalty, and, while it was through Hajduk's success that Dinamo had earned a seat at the table, they clearly did not deserve it.

Nor did they deserve to bring 10 people to witness the draw, but, hey, corruption likes appearances.

Bendiš still carried around the briefcase that was given to him by the Milan executives when they robbed Mijo Čaktaš from under his nose. He never enjoyed much success in Milan, so it changed from a reminder of how the system worked, to a reminder that, sometimes, everything worked out.

He still remembered Allegri walking into his café, like absolutely no ones business. Apparently, that had been a gesture of kindness, and Galliani and Allegri would be thrilled to make it up to him. Not with anything valuable of course... but the gesture was valid.

Now, Milan is trying desperately to regain entry into Europe's upper echelon, while Hajduk nudged itself into the top four clubs in Europe. So, when he flung the briefcase onto the table in front of him, Galliani, who had been obliged to attend, winced a little.

After a few minutes, the draw started, Galliani himself pulled Juventus' ball out, before matching them up with Manchester City. Momemnts later, Edgar Davids pulled out Manchester United vs. OM... the old guard.

You could almost taste the fix, with Barcelona, Standard, Hajduk, and Dinamo left in the draw, he knew it would happen. He didn't know how, he just knew that, this time, he had well and truly been screwed out of the Cup. And then it came:

"Barcelona versus... Standard Liége", Eric Cantona's booming voice called through the hall, leaving the room in a stunned silence.

"But... but... that's not poss-"

But there it was - possible or not - a minute later, left to the gaping mouths of Bendiš, Mamić and his contingent, as the biggest draw Croatia has had in years had just digitalized on the screen.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMIFINAL
GNK DINAMO ZAGREB VS HNK HAJDUK SPLIT MAKSIMIR - 30. MARCH., POLJUD - 7. APRIL.

some interesting teams in the hat and Standard are there too. I think they are good Good updates and wonderful story