Croatia

German authorities announced the arrest of Ukrainian national Volodymyr Z. in Croatia for his alleged role in the September 2022 Nord Stream pipeline explosions. A trained diver, he is accused of placing explosives on the Baltic Sea pipelines using a rented yacht with forged documents. This is the second arrest in the case; he was previously released by Poland after Germany’s extradition request was rejected. The alleged mastermind, Serhij K., was arrested in August 2025. The sabotage halted gas transport, and no one has yet been held accountable.

6 reports · 3 sources · Updated Aug 20, 09:23 AM UTC

Croatian midfielder Lovro Majer has ended his tenure at VfL Wolfsburg, departing the Bundesliga club following their relegation. He is joining Greek Super League champions AEK Athens. The transfer not only removes one of Wolfsburg's highest earners from their wage bill but also provides the Lower Saxony club with a significant transfer fee, offering financial relief as they prepare for life in the 2. Bundesliga.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 29, 10:11 AM UTC

The Portuguese under-18 men's national handball team begins its European Championship campaign in Belgrade, Serbia, facing the Czech Republic on Wednesday, followed by Croatia and Israel in Group C. Coach Nuno Santos noted a substitution due to injury (Miguel Mendes replaced by Diogo Silva) and acknowledged the challenge after previous absences, but expressed determination to reach the Main Round. Separately, the women's under-18 national team starts its World Championship in Romania against Argentina in Group D, also facing Montenegro and the Netherlands. Coach Sandra Fernandes emphasized the need for defensive aggression and fast transitions, viewing the tournament as a key development opportunity for young athletes despite the high competitive demands.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 07:37 PM UTC

Manchester City officially announced a five-year contract extension for Croatian defender Josko Gvardiol, keeping him at the club until June 2031. The 24-year-old, who joined from RB Leipzig in 2023, has made 122 appearances, won six trophies including the Premier League, and overcame a tibia fracture in 2026. City views Gvardiol, alongside Phil Foden and Erling Haaland, as a key pillar for the team's future under new manager Enzo Maresca, ending speculation of a move to Real Madrid.

5 reports · 3 sources · Updated Jul 28, 01:50 PM UTC

German Bundesliga club VfL Wolfsburg and Greek champions AEK Athens have reached an agreement for the transfer of Croatian midfielder Lovro Majer. The 28-year-old is set to move to the Greek Super League side for a transfer fee of six million euros, pending a successful medical and final contract signing. Majer is expected to sign a contract with AEK Athens that will keep him at the club until 2030. The deal represents a significant outgoing transfer for Wolfsburg, who were relegated from the Bundesliga at the end of the previous season. The information was reported by German football magazine kicker.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 27, 08:21 PM UTC

Sporting de Gijón, a Spanish second-division club, is finalizing the permanent transfer of 26-year-old midfielder Hugo Guillamón. Guillamón is terminating his contract with Croatian club Hajduk Split to become a free agent. A former Valencia youth product with 146 La Liga appearances and a Spain international from the 2022 World Cup, he is keen to return to Spanish football. The deal, led by agent Salomon Behar, is seen as a strategic midfield reinforcement, though a late top-tier club bid remains a risk.

10 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 05:13 PM UTC

European summers are increasingly defined by severe wildfires, but national response teams have been caught off guard by the scale and speed of blazes in France and Spain. Over 300,000 people have been evacuated, with fires spreading across 42,000 hectares in France and a record 80,000 hectares in Spain. Officials warn the fires may not be extinguished until November. The EU's Civil Protection Mechanism has mobilized planes and helicopters from multiple member states, but one Commission official stated the intensity is 'ten times over the capacity' of available resources. The article also covers the ECB's analysis of China's role in stabilizing oil prices, health risks from wildfire smoke, and other European news including UK drone tech for Ukraine, Italy's football coach controversy, and Ireland's data center strain.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 27, 03:55 PM UTC

According to Transfermarkt statistics reported by Hupu on July 27, among the 48 teams participating in the upcoming World Cup, 18 head coaches have either resigned or been dismissed and will no longer lead their respective national teams. The list of affected coaches includes high-profile figures such as France's Didier Deschamps, Portugal's Roberto Martinez, Belgium's Garcia, Netherlands' Koeman, Germany's Julian Nagelsmann, Croatia's Zlatko Dalić, Uruguay's Marcelo Bielsa, and South Korea's Hong Myung-bo. This significant turnover suggests a period of transition for many top football nations ahead of the tournament.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 27, 03:07 AM UTC

Saudi Arabian club Al Shabab has officially announced the signing of 30-year-old Croatian defender Tin Jedvaj from Greek club Panathinaikos. Jedvaj, who primarily plays as a center-back but can also play as a full-back, has already joined Al Shabab's pre-season training camp in Austria. Throughout his career, he has played for Dinamo Zagreb, Roma, Bayer Leverkusen, Augsburg, Lokomotiv Moscow, Al Ain, and Panathinaikos. Last season, he made 24 appearances for Panathinaikos, scoring 4 goals. At the international level, Jedvaj has earned 26 caps for Croatia and participated in Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup, where Croatia finished as runners-up. The transfer aims to strengthen Al Shabab's defense ahead of the 2026-27 Saudi Professional League season.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 26, 06:18 AM UTC

Mario Hezonja announced he would pay the €850,000 buyout clause to leave Real Madrid for the NBA, sparking initial suspicion as his destination was unknown. Following LeBron James' decision to join the Philadelphia 76ers, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors, who missed out on James, are now emerging as the main candidates to sign Hezonja, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Both teams face salary cap constraints and see the 31-year-old Croatian as a budget-friendly, experienced option. Hezonja, who played 335 NBA games with the Orlando Magic, New York Knicks, and Portland Trail Blazers, won the EuroLeague with Madrid in 2023 and was named MVP of the season. His departure was also influenced by coach Sergio Scariolo's exit. Hezonja's return to the NBA appears imminent, ending speculation that the move was a ploy to escape his Madrid contract.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 25, 02:37 PM UTC

Devastating wildfires are sweeping across Southern and Western Europe, driven by extreme heat and dry conditions. In southwestern France, over 63,000 people have been evacuated near Bordeaux and the Arcachon Basin, with fires spreading to 10,000 hectares. Spain declared a state of emergency for Madrid and Ávila, evacuating 10,000 people. France activated EU civil protection, requesting aircraft from Croatia, Portugal, Czech Republic, and Slovakia, and is converting an A400M military plane for firefighting. Fires also hit Sicily, where a firefighter died, and Germany’s Saarland region.

52 reports · 10 sources · Updated Aug 1, 12:49 PM UTC

Croatian drone manufacturer Orqa announced plans to increase its annual manufacturing capacity from 290,000 to 500,000 products by the end of 2026, driven by new strategic partnerships and its selection as a founding member of the EU-Ukraine Drone Alliance. The alliance, launched by the European Commission on July 17, 2026 in Kyiv, includes 18 founding companies split evenly between EU and Ukrainian firms. Orqa emphasizes a sovereign supply chain free of Chinese components, with all design and production in-house. The expansion builds on a partnership with Ukrainian interceptor drone developer General Cherry, including plans for an underground component factory in Ukraine and serial production in Croatia. Orqa's CEO framed the move as essential for sovereign defense transformation, noting that drone capability requires an industrial system capable of rapid iteration and deployment, drawing lessons from Ukraine's wartime experience.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 24, 08:14 AM UTC

Croatian drone manufacturer Orqa announced plans to scale its annual manufacturing capacity from roughly 290,000 to 500,000 products by the end of 2026, driven by new strategic partnerships and its selection as a founding member of the EU-Ukraine Drone Alliance. The alliance, launched by the European Commission on July 17, 2026 in Kyiv, includes 18 companies split evenly between EU and Ukrainian firms. Orqa emphasizes a sovereign supply chain free of Chinese components, aiming to reduce European reliance on imports from China or the US. The expansion builds on a partnership with Ukrainian drone maker General Cherry, including plans for an underground component factory in Ukraine and serial production in Croatia. Orqa's CEO framed the move as essential for sovereign defense transformation, drawing lessons from Ukraine's wartime drone attrition and rapid iteration needs.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 24, 08:14 AM UTC

Croatian midfielder Luka Modric, aged 40, has agreed to a one-year contract extension with AC Milan, keeping him at the club until June 30, 2027. The renewal, confirmed by multiple sources including Fabrizio Romano and AC Milan’s official announcement, follows a personal call from manager Ruben Amorim. Modric earned €4.5 million annually and made 34-37 Serie A appearances last season, contributing 2 goals and 3 assists. The deal solidifies his role as a veteran leader for the upcoming season.

15 reports · 8 sources · Updated Jul 24, 03:59 AM UTC

The Portuguese U-18 national handball team is in the final phase of preparation for the upcoming European Championship, participating in the Scandiberian tournament in Kiruna, Sweden. The team will face Sweden, Norway, and Spain in consecutive days, testing their evolution against opponents with different playing styles. Coach Nuno Santos highlighted the need for adjustments in attack and defensive duels, as well as effective minute management to ensure player readiness. Portugal previously won the same tournament in March with victories over Sweden and Norway and a draw with Spain. After the Scandiberian tournament, Portugal will travel to Belgrade, Serbia, for the U-18 European Championship, where they are placed in Group C alongside the Czech Republic, Croatia, and Israel. The group stage matches are scheduled from July 29 to August 1, 2026.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 23, 08:35 PM UTC

Hertha BSC winger Josip Brekalo has unexpectedly extended his contract with the club until 2028, just six months after joining on a free transfer from Oviedo in February 2026. The 28-year-old Croatian, who quickly became a regular starter, made 11 appearances in the second half of the 2. Bundesliga season, scoring three goals and providing two assists. He also played in the DFB-Pokal quarterfinal against Freiburg. While many teammates left Berlin this summer, Brekalo committed to the club, stating he feels comfortable and wants to help shape an exciting future. Sports director Benjamin Weber expressed satisfaction with Brekalo's clear commitment, highlighting his experience and goal threat. Brekalo is the second Hertha professional to extend his contract recently, following Julian Eitschberger.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 23, 05:27 PM UTC

Hull City owner Acun Ilicali has publicly stated he is 'disturbed' by media claims that the club has been rejected by transfer targets as they prepare for their return to the Premier League. In an unusual social media post, Ilicali listed the club's three completed signings (Jack Butland, Oscar Zambrano, Matt Targett) and provided a numbered list with country flags and percentages indicating how close they are to signing additional players. The list includes a Japan flag at 99% (reportedly midfielder Hidemasa Morita), Greece and Sweden at 90%, and Australia, Croatia, and Portugal at 80%. Ilicali did not specify which reports he was disputing but emphasized the club has been working intensively for two months. The club recently took out a £55m bridging loan to strengthen their financial position for transfers.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 23, 12:15 PM UTC

Hull City owner Acun Ilicali has publicly stated he is 'disturbed' by media claims that the club has been rejected by transfer targets as they prepare for their return to the Premier League after a nine-year absence. In an unusual social media post, Ilicali listed the club's three confirmed signings—goalkeeper Jack Butland, midfielder Oscar Zambrano, and defender Matt Targett—with ticks next to their names. He then posted numbers 4 through 11 with country flags and percentages, suggesting the progress of ongoing negotiations. A Japan flag at 99% aligns with reports of a deal for free agent Hidemasa Morita. Other flags included Greece and Sweden at 90%, and Australia, Croatia, and Portugal at 80%. Ilicali did not specify which reports he was disputing but emphasized the club has been working intensively for two months and aims to build a team fans can be proud of. The club recently secured a £55m bridging loan to strengthen its financial position for transfers.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 23, 12:15 PM UTC

New Rangers goalkeeper Ivor Pandur, 26, revealed he left Hull City despite their promotion to the Premier League because the club planned to sign a new first-choice goalkeeper with top-flight experience. Pandur, a Croatian international who played 48 times for Hull last season, joined Rangers in a deal that saw Jack Butland move in the opposite direction. He made his Ibrox debut in a pre-season friendly win over St Etienne. Pandur said Rangers' interest began before his 2024 move from Fortuna Sittard and that he was happy to join a club where he can develop under new goalkeeping coach Allan McGregor. He consulted former Rangers players John Lundstram, Kieran Dowell, and Antonio Colak before deciding, and expressed readiness for the pressure and trophy expectations at Rangers.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 23, 11:37 AM UTC

Former world number one tennis player Ana Ivanovic (38) has made a sad confession about her early retirement from professional tennis at age 29 in December 2016. In an interview on the Croatian sports talk show 'Neuspjeh prvaka' hosted by Slaven Bilić, Ivanovic revealed that severe panic attacks were a major reason for ending her career, not just the injuries previously cited. She stated that in her final years, she experienced intense panic attacks as soon as she stepped onto the court and was terrified of playing in front of an audience. Ivanovic, who won the French Open in 2008 and 15 WTA singles titles, said she never spoke about it publicly before. Despite the difficulty of leaving tennis, which had been her life since age five, she does not regret her decision and is happy with her current life. She was married to German football star Bastian Schweinsteiger from 2016 to 2025, and the couple has three children.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 23, 08:36 AM UTC

Former world number one tennis player Ana Ivanović (38) has made a candid confession about her early retirement from professional tennis at age 29 in December 2016. In an interview on the Croatian sports talk show 'Neuspjeh prvaka' hosted by Slaven Bilić, Ivanović revealed that severe panic attacks were a major factor in her decision to end her career, not just the physical injuries previously cited. She described experiencing intense panic upon stepping onto the court, feeling terrified of playing in front of audiences. Despite the difficulty of leaving the sport she loved since age five, Ivanović stated she has never regretted her decision and is happy with her life now. The Serbian star won the French Open in 2008, reached world number one, and claimed 15 WTA singles titles before retiring.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 06:09 PM UTC

A BILD Sport reporter who watched all 104 matches of the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico presents his top 10 most memorable games. The list includes Algeria vs Austria (3-3 with late drama), Argentina vs England (2-1 semifinal comeback), England vs Croatia (4-2 goal fest), Netherlands vs Morocco (3-4 extra-time thriller), Mexico vs England (2-3 with red card and penalties), and Argentina vs Cape Verde (3-2 extra-time fairytale). The reporter argues that despite fears about the expanded 48-team format, the tournament delivered historic matches with emotional moments, including Cody Gakpo's tears for his unborn son and Harry Kane's dejection after semifinal elimination.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 02:17 PM UTC

Croatia international forward Ana Maria Marković has signed for Hajduk Split, the Croatian women's football champions. The 26-year-old joins the club ahead of their upcoming UEFA Women's Champions League campaign, aiming to bolster their attacking options. Marković has earned 25 caps for the Croatian national team, scoring 2 goals. The transfer was announced on Hajduk Split's official website and reported on Reddit's r/soccer community.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 12:04 PM UTC

According to a report by Hupu Soccer on July 22, the statistics website Squawka released a ranking of the most shots on target in a single match at the 2026 World Cup. The top spot is held by the third-place match between France and England, which recorded 20 shots on target. The list includes matches from various stages: Ecuador vs Curaçao (group stage) with 18 shots, England vs Croatia (group stage) with 16, and several matches tied at 15 shots, including Netherlands vs Sweden, France vs Sweden, and Argentina vs Cape Verde. Other notable entries include Germany vs Curaçao and Scotland vs Brazil with 14 shots each, and Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay and Morocco vs Haiti with 13 shots each. The data highlights high-attacking intensity in several games across the tournament.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 08:51 AM UTC

The sports statistics website Squawka has released a ranking of the highest-scoring single matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The top spot is held by the third-place match between France and England, which produced 10 goals. Second place is the group stage match between Germany and Curacao with 8 goals. Seven matches are tied for third place with 6 goals each, including Sweden vs Tunisia, England vs Croatia, Canada vs Qatar, Netherlands vs Sweden, Morocco vs Haiti, New Zealand vs Belgium, and Algeria vs Austria. The list is rounded out by the USA vs Paraguay group stage match with 5 goals. Notably, all matches except the top-ranked one were group stage fixtures. The data was shared by Squawka on X (formerly Twitter) and reported by Hupu Football News.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 08:39 AM UTC

According to a report by Hupu Football News on July 22, the statistics website Squawka released a ranking of the most missed big chances in a single match at the 2026 World Cup. The list is topped by the England vs Democratic Republic of Congo Round of 32 match with 7 missed chances. Other matches with 6 missed chances include Qatar vs Switzerland (Group stage), England vs Croatia (Group stage), Ecuador vs Curaçao (Group stage), France vs Sweden (Round of 32), Brazil vs Norway (Round of 16), France vs Morocco (Quarter-finals), and France vs England (Third-place match). Matches with 5 missed chances include Turkey vs Paraguay and Portugal vs Uzbekistan, both in the group stage. The data is sourced from X (formerly Twitter).

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 08:36 AM UTC

This article from Foot Mercato covers three major football stories. First, Spain is already planning for the 2030 World Cup, which it will host, aiming for a third star. The team relies on a young core including Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsí, Pedri, and Gavi, with a deep talent pool in lower age categories. Second, Lionel Messi, at 39, has not retired from international football. While a 2030 World Cup appearance at age 43 seems unlikely, the 2028 Copa América is a credible target, especially as he is under contract with Inter Miami until December 2028. He will decide his future independently. Third, Luka Modrić, nearly 41, has activated his extension clause at AC Milan for €3.5 million, choosing loyalty despite offers from Dinamo Zagreb. He aims to win the Europa League and will officially retire from international football on October 6, 2026, in a match against Spain.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 08:00 AM UTC

Portuguese sports newspaper Record reports that 26-year-old forward Ana Markovic has signed with Croatian club Hajduk Split for the 2026/27 season. The transfer was announced on July 22, 2026, with the player set to wear the club's colors. The article includes a photo of Markovic signing the contract and is authored by journalist André Santos. No further details on contract length or previous club are provided in the brief report.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 07:44 AM UTC

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Croatian veteran Ivan Perisic has repeatedly expressed a strong desire to return to Inter Milan through social media signals, including posting blue-and-black heart emojis and reposting Inter's official content. However, the club's management does not currently consider Perisic a transfer target. During the January winter window, Inter explored a loan deal but failed to agree on wage-sharing and contract length. As the summer transfer window progresses, Inter has prioritized other wing options, and Perisic is not among key candidates due to the club's transfer strategy and budget constraints.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 07:39 AM UTC

The World Cup has concluded, and data website Squawka has compiled a list of the matches with the most fouls per game during the tournament. The final between Spain and Argentina leads the list with 46 fouls. Other high-foul matches include Haiti vs Scotland (44 fouls) in the group stage, Switzerland vs Colombia (43 fouls) in the Round of 16, and England vs Ghana (38 fouls) also in the group stage. The list features ten matches in total, spanning group stages to the final, highlighting the physical intensity of the competition. The data was sourced from X and reported by Hupu Football News.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 06:00 AM UTC