Can the fan-owned club beat the powerful Nacional in Zagreb derby?
The biggest Croatian futsal derby will be held this Friday in Zagreb. The most famous Croatian futsal team Futsal Dinamo will host the Croatian strongest team and reigning champion Nacional Zagreb.
Last week Nacional was very close to getting promoted into the Final Four of Uefa Futsal Cup, defeating Araz Naxcivan (2:1) and Hamburg Panthers (11:1). But, they lost in the final round against current European Champions Ugra Yugorsk (1:5), even though Croats played well, they were a better team until last five minutes of the match when Russians scored three goals.
See videos at the bottom of the page
On the other hand, Futsal Dinamo is by far the most popular Croatian club. It plays in front of the loud and fanatical fans which are led by FC Dinamo Zagreb's ultras group - famous Bad Blue Boys. Futsal Dinamo is also specific because it is a fan owned club (members of the club elect their leadership through democratic elections) and the business operations are completely transparent.
See video at the bottom of the page
Dinamo started two years ago from the Croatian second tier, but with their meteoric rise, they become one of the best Croatian futsal teams in less than two and a half years. Currently, Dinamo is three points below the leading Nacional, and with the win on Friday, Zagreb's teams could match one round before the winter break. Nacional Zagreb is a favourite „on the paper“, because it has terrific players like Croatian national team members Tihomir Novak, Franco Jelovčić, Kristijan Postružin, Renato Koturović and Franko Bilić, two Slovenian internationals Kristijan Čujec and Rok Mordej, and a Brazilian with an Azerbaijan's passport, Rafael.
But, Futsal Dinamo also has a great team. On the team that last season reached semi-finals, they added two Croatian and one England internationals – Vedran Matoševic, Kristijan Grbeša and Douglas Reed - and the experienced coach Mico Martic leads the team. But, the club's biggest strength is their „sixth“ player - fanatical supporters who make spectacular atmosphere throughout entire match.
See video at the bottom of the page
The game should be very interesting and very equal. It is also a match between two philosophies and it is certainly one of the biggest and most attractive city derbies in futsal world.
