World Footy News

 

In coming weeks World Footy News will be looking at the 2014 seasons for leagues across Europe, as well as looking towards the 2015 season. This first article features a look at the Australian Rules footy scene in Croatia, courtesy of Josip Kravar, president of the AAFC (Association of Australian Football Croatia).

 

2014

“Croatian league (HLAN) started with new club, Slavonski Brod Tigers and first time we played with four clubs.”

“During the season the Hawks showed the best performances and won all games during the season and won back to back [premierships], pretty much as Hawthorn did in Australia. MVP was Josip Habljak, ruckman of Zagreb Hawks and best rookie was Lovre Čudina, player of Zagreb Cvjetno Dockers who were runners up.” 

“We also played CEAFL (Central European Australian Football League) with our friends from Austria (Styrian Downunderdogs).”

 

“The Austrians showed during the league that they had improved their game and were a tough opponent for Croatian clubs. The final game was played between Hawks and Tigers who were the surprise of year by how much they improved in just six months. Hawks won that league also to win their second title this year.”

“The Croatian Cup was played in Slavonski Brod where Hawks won in a thriller game against Tigers on their home ground. “

“Our National team played in the Axios Euro Cup in London and we were runners up, losing against Denmark in the final.”

“We are satisfied with the results as the Danes were better and deserved that medal a long time ago. We introduced as always our best players to Knights, including a couple of players from Tigers who deserved to play in the Knights team. Preparation for national team was two months long and we as usual tried to win that cup or at least come back home with one of medals.”

“We are satisfied with that tradition and our 7th appearance in a row at that Cup, when is hard to find sponsors in this economic situation in Croatia.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2015

“We have big plans for 2015 and lot of work. I am a lucky president as I have dedicated people around me who are consistent in their work and give their best to this sport in Croatia.”

“First of all, Josip Habljak (23 years old), ruckman of Zagreb Hawks and national team, is going to play for Sturt Football Club in Adelaide. This is the first player that will go from Croatia to Australia to play footy. Josip will be on try out for four months and we are sure that he will be big boost for this team when they see his physicality and style of play. Josip was introduced to footy via Academic Cup program here and in two years has become one of best players in Croatia. With 192cm and 110kg he is one of the fastest players around, enough to say.  Josip will be good story for all athletes from the Sports University who decide to play footy in Croatia.”

“The Academic Cup will be held in April 2015 and we are again keen to create team from students from University of Zagreb, who will train for  2 months and play against another University (we are hoping that someone is also keen to start this project at their country and to play against us). This program provided great benefit for us as we gained a lot of players from the University and created safe income of new players who train footy. Every student who wants to train after Academic Cup, does not need to go on sport sessions on their faculty (but they are obligated to go to those  sessions prior to cup).”

“Also, a big task for association is our oval project. We are now in last 10% of realisation of oval in Slavonski Brod, and in Zagreb we are in process of negotiation with Zagreb City Council.”

“We are hoping that in 2015 we will have grand opening of two new ovals (one with locker rooms and association facility) where we will be able to host some games and tournaments and most of all start junior programs.”

“The oval and junior programs are our target for next year, and I know we are thinking big, but I think that is only way to accomplish goals.”

“Our last news is that we have new club. The City of Sesvete is very near Zagreb and they started with training sessions one month ago.”

“They have already gained a field (soccer field) with locker rooms and recruited many young players from that area and will start in Croatian League next year when we will start for the first time with five clubs. They are now in process of gaining jumpers and deciding what their name will be, but those are sweet worries.”

 

It is clear that Josip and his wonderful crew in Croatia are continuing to drive the game forward at a great rate. Their performances in major European and more localised competitions is impressive, as is the growth of the game through new clubs and players. Their determination to secure grounds and enlist the assistance of university programs is paying off in a big way. It appears that 2015 will be an even bigger and better year for Croatian footy.