Bragging rights originating from the Eternal Derby will not masquerade Hajduk Split’s lack of conviction at the ‘business end’ of the campaign as the aftertaste of the 33-match saga is one inundated with disenchantment and an equally-concentrated dose of envy. This frustration was inevitable because the history of the Croatian First Division informs us on the occasions Hajduk fail to secure the championship, it is relinquished across to the blue-faction of Dinamo Zagreb, who revelled in a fourth-consecutive title charge that was sweetened all-the-more with a tenth domestic cup honour.
You could say that the upshot was a predictable continuation of the status quo as Dinamo have once again sauntered to the pinnacle of the Croatian perch, but given that Hajduk topped the table, ironically as a consequence of conquering Dinamo in February’s derby clash, the responsibility for their shortcomings cannot be shifted beyond themselves. Instead Dinamo captured an unassailable lead when they protected their seven-point advantage by defeating NK Slovan Koprivnica with two matches remaining, instigating a curtain fall on all hopes and dreams belonging to the Hajduk faithful.
The perfect synopsis can be found in the domestic cup competition, yet another source of frustration for Hajduk as the spotlight was infuriatingly glistening towards Dinamo. Rather than enduring a mortifying shame at the hands of their ardent foe, which threatened to become a reality after subsiding to a 3-0 deficit in the first leg, Nikola Kalinic (2) and Mladen Bartolovic salvaged a penalty shootout for the impelling Split-based outfit in the return tie.
You could say that the upshot was a predictable continuation of the status quo as Dinamo have once again sauntered to the pinnacle of the Croatian perch, but given that Hajduk topped the table, ironically as a consequence of conquering Dinamo in February’s derby clash, the responsibility for their shortcomings cannot be shifted beyond themselves. Instead Dinamo captured an unassailable lead when they protected their seven-point advantage by defeating NK Slovan Koprivnica with two matches remaining, instigating a curtain fall on all hopes and dreams belonging to the Hajduk faithful.
The perfect synopsis can be found in the domestic cup competition, yet another source of frustration for Hajduk as the spotlight was infuriatingly glistening towards Dinamo. Rather than enduring a mortifying shame at the hands of their ardent foe, which threatened to become a reality after subsiding to a 3-0 deficit in the first leg, Nikola Kalinic (2) and Mladen Bartolovic salvaged a penalty shootout for the impelling Split-based outfit in the return tie.
An ideal consolation prize had presented itself, the anguish of missing out on championship glory could partially be cured, but, in comparable fashion to the league season, Hajduk were ultimately so close, teasing with every emotion and twitching with every nerve in the Poljud Stadium, but alas their efforts fell in vain. The penalty shootout was lost and while the implausible comeback seen beforehand will have retrieved slight pride, realistically it would have felt like the most painful kicking of all.
2009/10 Qualification To European Competition
NK Dinamo Zagreb - UEFA Champions League, second qualifying round
HNK Hajduk Split - UEFA Europa League, third qualifying round
HNK Rijeka - UEFA Europa League, second qualifying round
NK Slaven Koprivnica - UEFA Europa League, first qualifying round
NK Dinamo Zagreb - UEFA Champions League, second qualifying round
HNK Hajduk Split - UEFA Europa League, third qualifying round
HNK Rijeka - UEFA Europa League, second qualifying round
NK Slaven Koprivnica - UEFA Europa League, first qualifying round
Relegated To Second Football League
Croatia Sesvete were the only club who could potentially be relegated - they entered a two-legged play-off against NK Hrvatski Dragovoljac but Sesvete emerged victorious by winning 2-1 on aggregate to preserve their status.
Croatia Sesvete were the only club who could potentially be relegated - they entered a two-legged play-off against NK Hrvatski Dragovoljac but Sesvete emerged victorious by winning 2-1 on aggregate to preserve their status.
Promotion To First Football League
The expansion of the First Football League to 16 clubs in the 2009-2010 season resulted in four clubs from the second-tier to be automatically promoted:
NK Istra 1961
NK Karlovac
NK Lokomotiva Zagreb
NK Medimurje
The expansion of the First Football League to 16 clubs in the 2009-2010 season resulted in four clubs from the second-tier to be automatically promoted:
NK Istra 1961
NK Karlovac
NK Lokomotiva Zagreb
NK Medimurje
Top Goalscorers
Mario Mandzukic - 16 (NK Dinamo Zagreb)
Nikola Kalinic - 15 (HNK Hajduk Split)
Bojan Vrucina - 15 (NK Slaven Koprivnica)
Ermin Zec - 14 (HNK Sibenik)
Anas Sharbini - 13 (HNK Rijeka)
Senijad Ibricic - 12 (HNK Hajduk Split)
Mario Mandzukic - 16 (NK Dinamo Zagreb)
Nikola Kalinic - 15 (HNK Hajduk Split)
Bojan Vrucina - 15 (NK Slaven Koprivnica)
Ermin Zec - 14 (HNK Sibenik)
Anas Sharbini - 13 (HNK Rijeka)
Senijad Ibricic - 12 (HNK Hajduk Split)
Champions Count
NK Dinamo Zagreb - 11
HNK Hajduk Split - 6
NK Zagreb - 1
NK Dinamo Zagreb - 11
HNK Hajduk Split - 6
NK Zagreb - 1
Domestic Cup
NK Dinamo Zagreb 3-3 HNK Hajduk Split (Dinamo Zagreb won 4-3 on penalties)
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