[FM13]The Adriatic Adventure [Hajduk Split]

CROATIA TAKES EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP
KIŠ: 12 GOALS -- KOVAČIĆ: 8 ASSISTS -- PLAYER OF THE TOURNEY: T. KIŠ - 8.44
G: CROATIA 2 - 0 AUSTRIA T. KIŠ x2
G: FRANCE 3 - 1 CROATIA M. KOVAČIĆ
G: CROATIA 2 - 0 GEORGIA T KIŠ, D. ČANADIJA
QF: CROATIA 8 - 0 WALES T KIŠ x5, M KARDUM x2, D. ČANADIJA
SF: CROATIA 5 - 1 SERBIA TKIŠ x3, D. ČANADIJA
F: CROATIA 3 - 1 ITALY T KIŠ x2, P. BAŠIĆ

Tomislav Kiš had never been to a competition with Croatia. The now-30 year old club legend has won every title he's played in, and won every individual award one can without including the corrupt bastards at FIFA or UEFA. He's been in the UEFA Champions League dream team 3 times, guided Hajduk to the Championship 5 times, and won the European Golden boot twice.

But, more than a decade after his competitive debut for the Eastern European country, he has yet to even attend the European or the World Cup.

It is an often lamented fact that the Croatian FA is so corrupt as to not hire the best manager in the game to manage the national squad. At least 10 players are from his club squad, not to mention the substitutes, and Hajduk performs better than any other team in Europe since he has taken charge. So dominant is Hajduk's talent that Bendiš has lead the Croatian First Division as a whole to become the 7th most prestigious league in the world. The Croatian second division is now more prestigious than the Serbian First Division, a highly cited fact among the footballing elite.

And yet, despite a fantastic European Championship with France four years ago, and a terrific Croatian U21 title (the European U21 Championship) this year, he has had to watch from the sidelines, as his team is curated by his idiot cousin... at least on the surface.

So, when Kiš lined up on the touchline to face Italy, all but confirmed to take the Golden Boot and the Best Player award, he didn't care. This was his last chance to win the European Championship, and, should he fail at his first, and only, attempt, his career would, sadly, be incomplete.

Fortunately, Tomislav Kiš - the world's greatest footballer never to win the Golden Ball - took Princiavelli by storm, and, with a packed Camp Nou roaring him on, only a month after he had taken the Champions League trophy in Madrid, he scored two goals, set the record for amount of goals scored at the tournament (prev. 9), devastated the record for MotM victories (prev. 2), and smashed the previous record for average rating, helped along by the incredibly rare perfect 10 against Wales.

Never - not once in the history of the tournament - has a player won both the UEFA Champions League, the European Championship, and not been nominated for the World Golden ball. Not once. Especially when that player also won the Player of the Tournament and the Golden Boot.

Kiš lifted the trophy in tears. No one could refuse him now.

UN TALKS SPEAK OF DIRE CROATIAN FORTUNES
The Croatian Prime Minister has been residing in Split for the last six months, and declined, once more, to make a public appearance, as the polarizing mayor of Split addressed the United Nations in Geneva:

As a region, we are a different people from the Northerners. For years, we have been living under the financial oppression of the north; watching them take advantage of taxes we collect on an international stage. We have become leaders in education, science, and tourism across the world: our university is second to none, and the opportunities we hoped to give to our youth, locally, has prevented the brain drain on a country that is more or less accustomed to its catastrophic consequences.

We have created, in less than a decade, a region that rivals California in the United States, and Bavaria here in Europe. But, while Munich and San Francisco are treated to the luxuries of being separate states, Dalmatia is suffocated by our northern partners, and our efforts to work with them to better the lives of all of us have been futile.

We do not want war on the Balkan peninsula. We have gone through far too much in the last half century for that. What we want is a new beginning, and we won't hesitate to take it.

While Bendiš spoke in Geneva, cheers erupted along the famed Croatian coastline, where his speech was being received with ovations similar to those for Croatia's performance in the European Championship.

However, along the Velebit range, tensions were raised. Tourists were being allowed to pass, but only just, and the tunnels were heavily protected by the Croatian military.

The only question that remained was, whose side were they on?

Amazing showing from Kiš in the European Championships. We can only hope FIFA comes to its senses and gives the guy the Ballon D'Or he deserves. Interesting to see tensions still rising in Croatia, too. Glad you're back to writing here, Timmy

Kis is in brilliant form, shows what FIFA are missing.

2014-12-22 12:45#204306 Neal : Amazing showing from Kiš in the European Championships. We can only hope FIFA comes to its senses and gives the guy the Ballon D'Or he deserves. Interesting to see tensions still rising in Croatia, too. Glad you're back to writing here, Timmy

My contract at the New York Times was up, and, realistically, Stam pays better, so I can work from a beach in Monte Carlo

BENDIŠ DISMANTLES DINAMO ZAGREB WITH NEWFANGLED CHRISTMAS TREE
HAJDUK 2-0 DINAMO
Tomislav Kiš stayed on the bench for the first time in years, as Igor, the Brazilian import, took his spot on the top of the "Real Madrid" Christmas tree, flanked by none other than Pero Bašić, Admir Lotinac, and Matko Kardum. Kozlović - who is under some pressure due to underperforming last season, after only being gifted a Champions League berth by Bendiš winning the tourney - was rather pleased when the tactics were released, noticing the new tactic à la famous Real Madrid.

He chuckled a bit to himself... happy that Timmy's ego had gotten the best of him, and he finally thought that his squad was as good as Zidane's Real Madrid side..

It wasn't. Bendiš, for the first time in a while, messed up tactically. Instead of having his incredibly top-heavy side play circles around the Dinamo defense, he had the defense loft balls into a counter-attacking position, which he had for so many years, and it didn't work spectacularly. Lessons for the future.

He still won 2-0 though... leaving Kozlović fuming on the bench, as Matko Kardum, a Dinamo youth product whom Bendiš bought for 20M only a season after leaving Zagreb for 500K, won the man of the match with a goal to his name

2014-12-22 15:13#204339 tbendis :

2014-12-22 12:45#204306 Neal : Amazing showing from Kiš in the European Championships. We can only hope FIFA comes to its senses and gives the guy the Ballon D'Or he deserves. Interesting to see tensions still rising in Croatia, too. Glad you're back to writing here, Timmy

My contract at the New York Times was up, and, realistically, Stam pays better, so I can work from a beach in Monte Carlo

You wrote for the New York Times?! Damn, son.

2014-12-23 11:36#204364 Neal :

2014-12-22 15:13#204339 tbendis :

2014-12-22 12:45#204306 Neal : Amazing showing from Kiš in the European Championships. We can only hope FIFA comes to its senses and gives the guy the Ballon D'Or he deserves. Interesting to see tensions still rising in Croatia, too. Glad you're back to writing here, Timmy

My contract at the New York Times was up, and, realistically, Stam pays better, so I can work from a beach in Monte Carlo

You wrote for the New York Times?! Damn, son.

I wrote the Time Person of the Year article... Don't believe the journalists names thought... It's only a pen name

BENDIŠ TACTIC COMING TOGETHER
IMOTSKI 0-4 HAJDUK - J ELEŽ ('4), V IVIĆ ('8), M KARDUM ('26), IGOR ('41)
Four first half goals, before Hajduk cooled off after the half, ravaged last year's 4th placed team, and one of Croatia's two entrants into the UEFA Cup Qualification stages in Imotski. Hajduk, which is absolutely unfathomable at home, finally took their immense talents on the road, and played accordingly showing several scouts that there would be no defeating the Dalmatian machine.

It would seem that their only weakness is Pero Bašić, easily their strongest player, and their only one who doesn't have a worthy substitute. The left flank has, for several years, been the domain of this fantastic youth product, who simply will not quit, he runs up and down the flanks, and devastates the wing-backs guarding him; proving as much by assisting four times against Imotski. He is, however, notoriously injury prone, and, after having to exit the pitch after fifty minutes, for the 18 year old Stjepan Šare, Hajduk's left wing became ineffectual. And, unfortunately for the Croatian champions, guarding against only one wing is surprisingly trivial.

So, while Pero Bašić is a fantastically strong player for Bendiš to have, he needs to find someone to substitute for him if/when he gets injured... because, for Hajduk and Croatia, it seems to be a long-standing problem

ZAGREB FLIGHTS CANCELLED - 1.IX.2024
Flights from Dalmatia and Dubrovnik to Zagreb and vice versa have been cancelled, as Bendiš has demonstrated his clout with the rest of the coastline.

At the height of the day's travel - with 10 flights in the air to Split, Dubrovnik, Zadar, Rijeka, and Pula - the manager of Zagreb's airport, Stanko Rivić, received calls from each of coastal airports that they would receive the incoming flights, but all others would be cancelled, including the ones that were supposed to arrive in Zagreb in less than 10 minutes, devastating the East European transport hub.

Maro Dadić, the majority owner of the Croatian flagship airline, has declined to comment, while Timmy Bendiš has stated in a widely publicized announcement that it was the Croatian government that had demanded Croatian Airlines stop flying to the tourist haven, intending to crush the economy.

The Croatian Prime Minister, who has been in Split for the last 8 months, has, once again, declined to make a public appearance, as public dissent towards the regime becomes more widespread in both the capital and along the coastline.

Split, which has completed massive renovations on its own airport, will now be using the planes to fly directly to and from Frankfurt, Munich, and will open new long-haul routes to San Francisco, Lagos, and New York City starting in October, as it aims to create a business hub for the rising Eastern European market

Bendiš's moves in football and politics are impeccable. Just as Hajduk's master tactic comes together, as does your master plan to take Croatia itself continue to unfold. I'm on the edge of my seat!

IF YOU THOUGHT THEY WERE GOOD LAST YEAR...
... wait 'till you see this year's crop.

Last year's utterly spectacular Hajduk U19s crop devastated the Croatian U19 League and cup, and only suffered a minor hiccup against the widely famed Barcelona U19, whom they defeated far later than deserved in extra time before triumphing against Manchester's U19s in the Hamburg final.

But if you thought they were good last year... by God, you've got to go to a match at Poljud. Boosted by no less than five players, including Dutch defensive duo Mohammed Boer and Niels Kuijpers, and Botofago superstar Viki (Victor Santiago), they ravaged... completely utterly destroyed Junak's U19s.

Viki played the starring role, as he made three assists, and proved that, for 1.2M €, he would be a fantastic addition to even the Hajduk first team. He made Dalibor Bošnjak, the 17 year old with 24 assists last season look absolutely pedestrian, and, even without the three assists, danced around every player in the park.

Hajduk will win the double this year, and should easily be in the semifinals or the finals of the treble. The only question that remains is... will Bendiš pull the stunt that he did last year in Zagreb

VIKI - 1.2M - BOTOFAGO (BRA)
http://i61.tinypic.com/s6srys.jpg

N KUIJPERS - 800K - AZ (NED)
http://i57.tinypic.com/2qdvrlx.jpg

M BOER - 600K - HERACLES (NED)
http://i61.tinypic.com/dwbcc5.jpg

M WEBER - 1.5M - RC LENS (FRA)
http://i57.tinypic.com/2caloy.jpg

M REIS - 200K - LEIXÕES (POR)
http://i60.tinypic.com/2li7sl3.jpg

DALTO - 1.2M - FLAMENGO (BRA)
http://i59.tinypic.com/ka0obl.jpg

H FIGUEROA - 4M - ARGENTINOS (ARG)
http://i60.tinypic.com/2wf34gh.jpg

What is, however most notable about this year's transfer dealings by Bendiš is that, if he does not sell more than 4.3M worth of players, it will be only the second season in his 12 years at the club that Hajduk have not turned a profit on player transfers - his first being when he spent 20 million to bring Croatian superstar, Matko Kardum from Olympique de Marseille.

There is, of course, still the January window.

Amazing that players like Viki must remain in the U19's. Surely he merits a shot in the first team?

More U19 stuff... sincere apologies...

HAJDUK U19S STORM TO 19 GOALS IN 3 MATCHES - TRANFERS CONCERNING
HAJDUK 8-1 ZADAR T. FERNANDEZ, V ALIĆ, A MüLLER x2, G VUKČEVIĆ x2, D BOŠNJAK, A KOŽINA

With 19 goals scored and 5 goals conceded, the Hajduk U19s are, realistically, the most interesting, and devastatingly attractive team to play in the game. Boasting an utterly fantastic average score of 6.33 - 2.66 Bendiš's youth squad is resembling... well... nothing else in the game.

What is even more incredible about Bendiš's squad is that there is no stand-out performer or even a stand-out goalscorer. Only one of Bendiš's players has 3 goals to his name: last year's runner up, Goran Vukčević, and not one player has yet to score a hattrick, something almost expected of Hajduk's U19s by now.

The question is, with Bendiš still on the transfer market - widely expected to bring PSV defensive midfielder, Lorenzo Blom (16), and Slavia Prague forward, Patrik Zima (16) on closing day - will Bendiš be able to develop the team into first team stars. At this rate, if he manages to make even a quarter of his 20 wünderkinds reach their extraordinary potential, Hajduk... currently struggling for goals... have several glorious years in front of them.

... not to mention Croatia's future.

Great to see this story still going, keep it up