Croatia round-up: Champions finish with a win

Champions NK Dinamo Zagreb ended the Prva Hrvatska Nogometna Liga season with a 1-0 win against NK Kamen Ingrad Velika.

Maric on target
Silvio Maric scored the only goal of the game four minutes past the hour to leave Dinamo coach Miroslav Blazevic delighted with his side's season. "This is a historical championship win for Dinamo because we lost against biggest rivals [HNK] Hajduk Split in three [out of] four games and we still picked [up] the trophy," he said.

Good news for Kamen Ingrad
Despite the defeat, Kamen Ingrad still qualified for a place in the UEFA Cup next season after their fellow challengers HNK Cibalia were defeated by Hajduk, with Slovenian forward Klemen Lavric scoring the only goal of the game 14 minutes from time.

Emotional occasion
NK Zagreb drew 2-2 against NK Varteks, who were mourning the deaths of players Krunoslav Sabolic and Kristijan Kitner yesterday morning in a car crash that also killed Dinamo's Silvestar Sabolcki. Zagreb led twice with Ivan Babic and Borimir Perkovic goals but two Ivan Rezic goals earned Varteks a draw.

Victory in vain
In the relegation pool, HNK Šibenik were demoted despite a 6-3 win against NK Zadarkomerc, with Ivan Bulat and Hrvoje Bedekovic both scoring twice. However, the victory was in vain as NK Pomorac won 1-0 away to NK Slaven Belupo, with Marin Prpic scoring the only goal of the game after eight minutes.

Play-off to come
Šibenik were automatically relegated, while Pomorac now face a play-off against the losing side in the second division play-off final, the second leg on which will be played on Sunday. In the final game in the section, NK Osijek were 3-2 winners against HNK Rijeka.