Match of the Round
HLAN Grand Final – Zagreb Hawks vs Zagreb Dockers
The culmination of the 2016 HLAN season is upon us. Two of the oldest clubs in Croatia meet with one of the most anticipated match-ups set to treat the crowd in Zagreb.
It’s the Zagreb Hawks vs the Zagreb Dockers. Hawks are the oldest club in Croatia and are celebrating their 10-year anniversary. The Dockers were second to the scene in Zagreb and have been the dominant side in recent seasons.
The 2013-2014 Grand Finals are still fresh in the minds of Croatian footy fans. In these years the Hawks went back-to-back against the Dockers until a player exodus at the end of 2014 for the Hawks saw the Dockers climb to the top of the pile.
Season 2015 saw a changing of the guard with the Zagreb Dockers dominating and saw them claim the premiership cup for the first time.
The Dockers will be confident going into this match-up and with players like Cvetko, Ivos and Cudina they have reason to be.
For the Hawks the return Josip Habljak from Sturt Football Club in the SANFL back in Australia will be a pivotal player. He’s now spent two years in the SANFL system and will lift the confidence of the players around him.
Both teams will be excited to stake their claim as the best team in Croatia after falling short in the CEAFL competition a couple of weeks ago.
Best of luck to both sides and be sure keep an eye out for the full match report to come out early next week.
Coach’s thoughts- Ivan Molnar (Zagreb Dockers)
“We have a lot of respect for the Hawks team. Not only because they have their ruckman back from Australia, but because they are a well organised and balanced team. Underestimating them would be fatal. It is said in our league that we are the favourites to win the title, but in one game anything can happen. No game is win before it has started so we will be highly motivated to defend the title and to prove that we are the best team in Croatia”.
Coach’s thoughts – Josip Kravar (Zagreb Hawks)
“As coach of this team I can say that we are proud to play in the grand final and I am proud of my team to be here now. Some of my greatest masterpieces were created against the odds of reality, so we will give our best”.
