Croatia round-up: Derby delight for Dinamo

NK Dinamo Zagreb are now nine points clear in the title group after a 3-1 derby win at NK Zagreb.

Olic on song
Croatian international Ivica Olic was the hero for Dinamo, opening the scoring after eight minutes as he swept in from the right and beat the goalkeeper from ten metres. Marko Djalovic equalised for Zagreb after 30 minutes, but Olic was on hand again to restore Dinamo's lead after 58 minutes, converting a fine Mario Maric pass. Dumitru Mitu sealed victory with a strike three minutes from time.

Hajduk defeated
Victory was made all the sweeter for Dinamo as second-placed HNK Hajduk Split slumped to a 1-0 defeat at NK Kamen Ingrad Velika. Sergej Jakirovic scored from the penalty spot after 71 minutes to give the home side victory.

Varteks on target
In Tuesday's final championship group game, NK Varteks earned a 2-1 win at HNK Cibalia. Zoran Kastel gave the visitors a 33rd-minute lead only for Domagoj Abramovic to equalise six minutes after half-time. However, the Cibalia defence could not hold on as midfield player Hrvoje Sklepic stole through to score Varteks' winner four minutes from time.

European picture
As they stand, Dinamo look set to earn the Croatian title winners' place in the second qualifying round of the 2003/04 UEFA Champions League. Second and third place finishes in the league guarantees a place in the UEFA Cup qualifying round; Hajduk and Varteks look certain to take those slots.

Unlikely qualifiers
Varteks are nine points behind Hajduk and 18 adrift of Dinamo, but they are 17 points ahead of fourth-placed Kamen Ingrad. With Hajduk playing in the Croatian Cup final and almost certain to take a place in the UEFA Cup, the place in the competition allocated to the Croatian Cup winners looks almost certain to go to fellow finalists, second division NK Uljanik Pula.

Rijeka hit seven
Meanwhile, in the relegation section of the Croatian top division, bottom side HNK Rijeka did their hopes of survival no harm with a 7-0 demolition of second-from-bottom NK Zadarkomerc. Rijeka are now just one point adrift of Zadarkomerc, who are level with HNK Šibenik and NK Pomorac on 27 points.

Strugglers battle on
Šibenik's battle for survival continued with a 5-0 win against NK Slaven Belupo, while Pomorac also showed that they had the heart for the relegation fight with a 2-0 win against NK Osijek who lie five points ahead of the bottom four.