Anyone been to a Croatian football match, or to Maksimir Stadium?

[Colossal Squid]

I'm in Zagreb and fancy taking in Dinamo's game tomorrow against NK Varaždin. Not a big game by any stretch but it would surely quell my desire for some Saturday live football and with tickets for less than three quid you can't go wrong.

Now I know the stadium is uncovered and stands are seperated from the pitch by a running track, so I should feel right at home, but I don't know an awful lot about the stadium otherwise.

Anyone have any experience with Croatian football, this stadium (home to the memorable 4-1 demolition of Croatia by England on the way to the last World Cup) or football in this part of the world in general?

I'd love to be able to enjoy a beer or two in the ground, would that be on? And I understand that Dinamo's hardcore fans started boycotting home games some time ago in protest at the board so would I be missing out on atmosphere because of this or perhaps it just means it would be safer?

Any advice appreciated.

 

[Springal]

I've been for an England game, pretty standard eastern European stadium, very basic. Area is long walk / short tram from ground. When I was there beer was good, and cheap as was food. Paid just over £5 for 2x 0.75l beers and a pizza. Was quite rough but to be expected with England around... Also remember a large swastika being unfurled in the main square and police firing tear gas in... Pleasant!

 

[Colossal Squid]

Tear gas??

WTF?

I'm guessing that's an England special. Surely jack all trouble for this game with Varaždin who are neither local nor title rivals.

 

[fcportaloo]

I went to a game there in 2005 Dinamo Zagreb V Hadjuk Split. Rocking atmosphere. Slightly worrying moment when the roof was set alight by a thrown flare and the fire brigade came to put it out. Go, should be fun

 

[Colossal Squid]

I'd have loved to have seen the derby against fierce rivals Hadjuk but sadly they fought out a 1-1 draw last weekend in Split so this weekend will no doubt be a fairly muted affair

 

[Seagulls over Lewes]

The Bad Blue Boys there ultras have just come of a 13 month boycott for league games. Should be ok for this only main rivals are Split and the rest of the former Yugo states.

 

[Arthur]

I've been for an England game, pretty standard eastern European stadium, very basic. Area is long walk / short tram from ground. When I was there beer was good, and cheap as was food. Paid just over £5 for 2x 0.75l beers and a pizza. Was quite rough but to be expected with England around... Also remember a large swastika being unfurled in the main square and police firing tear gas in... Pleasant!

Was at said game as well. Not allot more to add than what has been said already apart from we were along way from the pitch and there was a beer "garden" by the entrance which was more like a set of market stalls selling beer with the odd beer hut slung in.

I'll echo the walk being a long way, I walked back and it seem to take for ever and wasn't very pleasant (but then neither was Zagreb full stop).

We met some of their ultras before the game (Blue Boys or something similar) and they were bonkers but loved the English but I think that was because they saw us as the top dogs in the football hooligan world.

Obviously don't know what your plans are but if you've got some time to kill get the train from Zagreb to Ljubljana. It's a very picturesque journey and Ljubljana is a lovely place and much nicer than Zagreb. Just watch out for the cabs as they are mega expensive!!.

 

[Colossal Squid]

I really like Zagreb, it's a lovely city. But as it happens I am also off to Ljubljana next week, completing my tour of all the Balkan capitals.

I shall give this game a go tomorrow, but obviously won't be expecting Albion quality football

 

[Arthur]

I really like Zagreb, it's a lovely city. But as it happens I am also off to Ljubljana next week, completing my tour of all the Balkan capitals.

I shall give this game a go tomorrow, but obviously won't be expecting Albion quality football

I found the place a bit moody to be honest but that could well have been because England were in town. We did have a great meal in a restaurant just off the main square. We ate and drank all afternoon and it cost about £15 a head.

We're doing a mini tour for our game against Montenegro next month. We're doing a couple of nights in Dubrovnik, a couple on Budvar (sp?) and a couple in Podrika (sp?). Been to any of them? If so anything we should see or do?

 

[Colossal Squid]

I've been to Dubrovnik, and would recommend it to anyone, although for all its fame and global appeal it isn't somewhere you need to stay too long to appreciate. I wouldn't know where to start in terms of recommending places to eat there. Generally speaking just seek out the places away from the main street through the old town. It can be an adventure in itself just wandering around the many back streets in search of something that catches your eye. Although be aware you're never going to find that one true authentic hidden gem because Dubrovnik old town just isn't that big.

There are a couple of fantastic bars set within the old city walls which are certainly worth stopping off at. Although touristy they're still perfectly reasonably priced and the views over the sea of various islands and passing cruise liners are lovely. You can easily lose a few hours sipping cold Ozujskos there, and why not?

Do enjoy it. I'm a big Croatia fan and would be surprised if you came back disappointed

 

[Codner's Crackpipe]

I saw NK vs Dinamo back in 2007. Being a derby I was braced for a fairly firey affair but the reality was pretty tame, probably as NK aren't viable rivals to anyone in any serious context. Luka Modric was in the Dinamo side, the Bad Blue Boys made plenty of noise and about 20% of the crowd was riot police. That's about all I remember. Enjoyed it, though more as a cultural spectacle than a footballing one.

 

[Magicman]

Myself and a mate went to visit a friend who lives in Vinkovci in April (something we try and do every year) and watched his local team Cibalia play Varteks in the cup .
Although an all ticket game , they were available on the night for a huge 12 kuna ( £1.50) . The stadium was very basic to say the least , a huge concrete stand on one side and lots of police and flares . The home fans welcomed us foreigners with open arms and were very loud and passionate. They have a huge problem with racism though and this left a bit of a sour taste . The monkey chants started whenever the opposition's black player had the ball .
Vinkovci itself is a charming little town , accomodation , beer and food all very cheap. It is situated in the top north corner of Croatia , not far from the borders of both Serbia and Hungary.
As mentioned above we go to visit my mate Steve once a year and enjoy the hospitality offered by him , his family and the locals. He went over there form his hometown Leeds in 1991 and signed up as a volunteer for the Croatian army and was fighting the Serbs within weeks. He lost a foot to a landmine . He has stayed there pretty much ever since and married a beautiful lady and now has 6 kids !! The Croatian government give him a very good Army pension and he now has dual nationality.

 

[Colossal Squid]

Yes I know Vinkovci, it's a busy international railway junction and I may stop in next week as they've git a cultural festival going on. Sounds very charming.

As for the game I'm a bit worried about the racist nationalist ultras and whilst I reckon I can bad mouth the Serbs to fit in, I'm not going to be abusing black players.

It's sure to be an experience!