Statistic review and commentary on the first leg of the Croatian Futsal League 2005/2006:

by Renato Cupic

Before reading it, have a look at the following links:

- Croatian First Division: results, fixture and standings

- Croatian Futsal Story




1. Mejasi Split, 26 pts
(10-8-2-0-40:24)

Starting five: Cupic, Cubelic, Gracanin, Jakic, Zarkovic
Substitutions: Cotic, Jelic, Drmic, Dlaka, Prkic, Vujevic, Basic, Colic, Jukic

Scorers: Jelic 10, Cubelic 9, Jakic 6, Zarkovic 6, Gracanin 4, Prkic 3, Drmic 1, Cupic 1

The greatest surprise of Croatian Premier league is Mejasi. Surprise on the paper but not on the pitch, because of their modern way of playing. Mladen Perica “Strla” is the name to remember about, young coach which led his team to the top in some way, without defeat in ten games. Success is even bigger after four important players (U21 national team members Bajrusevic and Radolfi, then Gabrilo and experienced player Juric, who scored 60 goals during the last season) left the club due to the bad financial situation. Players answered in an excellent way and put the team spirit before their individuality. The impressive point was their series of victories among direct rivals: Brodosplit 3:2 ; Gospic 3:1 ; Orkan 4:1 ; Uspinjaca 4:2 ; Kijevo 5:4. They are leading after first part with five advantage points on the runner up.

2. Brodosplit Inz., 21 pts
(10-6-3-1-42:20)

Scorers: Osibov 9, Despotovic 7, Dzafic 7, Jarni 6, Banic 4, Podlipec 4, Stankovic 2, Botic 2, Laura 1

Closest rival of Mejasi is Brodosplit Inzinjering, former Split Gasperov (four times croatian champion), team that alternated brilliant games (win over Gospic by 3:0) to disappointing ones (draw against Square by 4:4), with just one defeat (Mejasi 3:2). Due to the fact that a couple of national team players (Tomicic, Salacan) left the club, they are satisfied with the second place. Big profit for future are few young players that grab their opportunity this Year.

3. Gospic 20 pts
(10-6-2-2-45:22)

Scorers: Bajrusevic 10, Tomicic 10, Grdovic 9, Drndic 9, Beslic 2, Purgar 2, Hajdarevic 1, Krstanovic 1, Ribicic 1

Biggest investment in Croatian futsal did not pay for the first part of the season, as Gospic is currently just at third place. The club which signed national team players such as Tomicic, Grdovic, Bajrusevic, Knez, Drndic, Purgar should have easily leaded the table according to the summer forecast. The current ranking anyway is not the greatest problem for coach Rimac, more worried by the fact that his team is definitely playing below the reputation level of those players.
Two defeats against Mejasi (3:1) and Brodosplit Inz. (3:0), as well as two draws at home (Orkan 3:3 and Kijevo 5:5) took them to the third place, giving rise to the management staff disappointment.

Despite six points of disadvantage they are still indicated as the supposed champion of the league.

4. Orkan 20 pts
(10-6-2-2-35:18)

Scorers: Hertl 13, Suvajac 5, Mavrovic 4, Dervisagic 3, Capar 3, Bonkovic 2, Morina Ko. 2, Jelavic 1, Morina Ku. 1, Selebaj 1

Fourth placed Orkan Zagreb (croatian title holder) is another disappointing club in this season, as everybody expected more from the national champions, also involved in the UEFA Futsal Cup. Strong defense is still their “trade mark” but in the lost matches against Uspinjaca (3:1) and Mejasi (4:1) they weren't surely at their supposed level. Two further draws vs Gospic (3:3) and Brodosplit Inz. (1:1) determined the current ranking.


5. Uspinjaca 18 pts
(10-6-0-4-52:34)

Scorers: Novak 12, Salacan 10, Huskic 8, Skerbic 6, Djukic 5, Leskovar 4, Culjak 3, Spar 2, Civrag 1,Svitlanovic 1

Uspinjaca placement on the fifth position is realistic although four defeats are more than expected especially after winning over the national champions of Orkan (3:1). All defeats (Mejasi 4:2, Kijevo 6:4, Gospic 7:1, Brodosplit Inz. 4:3) came in away matches. If they want to progress to the top four they should make something better when playing out of their home. In the home matches they didn't leave any chance to the opponents, reaching some impressive scores like the triumph over Petrinjcica (15:2). That result gave them the best attack of the first leg title (52 goals). A great number of new players (Salacan, Skerbic, Huskic, Civrag) did not pay off, as it seems they always leave will for victory at Zagreb.


6. Kijevo Jako Sport 17 pts
(10-5-2-3-45:38)

Scorers: Strunje 15, Jelovcic 8, Palavra 8, Juric 6, Radolfi 4, Knezevic 2, Babic 1, Bakula 1

Newcomer “Kijevo” was a pleasant surprise. Their sixth place could be even better if there was a little more experience at the end of some games. Bond of youth talent (Strunje, Radolfi) and experience (Jelovcic, Juric) with solid sponsor brought success. They are just four points behind second place. Young Teo Strunje is even in his first season top scorer with fifteen goals.


7. Torcida Chigra E.N. 11 pts (10-2-5-3-34:38)

Scorers: Bogdanovic 13, Bokan 4, Vlaski 4, Dvornik 2, Racunica 2, Vodanovic 2, Vrleta 2, Franic 2, Radan 2, Ruzic 1

Just two victories in ten games is definitely less than expected from Torcida, one of the title candidates before the beginning. Some objective (injuries) and subjective (way of playing) reasons determined the current 7th place, so far from the top. But we have to remind that in their last season, after an eight place in the regular season, they were able to reach the play off final so opponents should be aware.

The rest of the league clubs is in the battle for eight place as well, which will guarantee to enter the play off series avoiding the play out. Petar Zagreb (12th team in league) withdrew from the league due to financial problem.


8.Croatia (Perkovic) -----------10-2-0-8-31-44--6
9.Sokoli (Samobor) -------------10-2-0-8-20-44--6
10.Petrinjcica -----------------10-1-3-6-28-70--6
11.Square Petrokov -------------10-0-3-7-26-46--3




Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com