2016–17 Croatian First Football League

MAXtv Prva liga
Season2016–17
Dates15 July 2016 – 27 May 2017
ChampionsRijeka
RelegatedRNK Split
Champions LeagueRijeka
Europa LeagueDinamo Zagreb
Hajduk Split
Osijek
Matches played180
Goals scored435 (2.42 per match)
Top goalscorerMárkó Futács (18)
Biggest home winDinamo Zagreb 6–0 Cibalia
Hajduk Split 6–0 Inter Zaprešić
Biggest away winHajduk Split 0–4 Dinamo Zagreb
Highest scoringRijeka 5–2 Dinamo Zagreb
Hajduk Split 6–1 Cibalia
Hajduk Split 5–2 RNK Split
Dinamo Zagreb 5–2 Rijeka
Longest winning runDinamo Zagreb (8)
Longest unbeaten runRijeka (31)
Longest winless runInter Zaprešić (17)
Longest losing runCibalia (7)
Highest attendance29,109
Hajduk Split 0–4 Dinamo Zagreb
Lowest attendance45
Hajduk Split 1–1 Slaven Belupo
Hajduk Split 3–0 Cibalia
Total attendance494,941[1][2]
Average attendance2,750[1][2]
All statistics correct as of 27 May 2017[2].

The 2016–17 Croatian First Football League (officially MAXtv Prva liga for sponsorship reasons) was the 26th season of the Croatian First Football League, the national championship for men's association football teams in Croatia, since its establishment in 1992. The fixtures were announced on 15 June 2016.[3] The season started on 15 July 2016 and finished on 27 May 2017.[4] The league was contested by 10 teams. Rijeka won their first ever title, which broke Dinamo Zagreb's dominance of eleven consecutive titles.

Teams[edit]

On 22 April 2016, Croatian Football Federation announced that the first stage of licensing procedure for 2016–17 season was complete. For the 2016–17 Prva HNL, only seven clubs were issued a top level license: Dinamo Zagreb, Hajduk Split, Istra 1961, Lokomotiva, Rijeka, Slaven Belupo and NK Zagreb. These clubs were also issued a license for participating in UEFA competitions.[5] In the second stage of licensing, clubs that were not licensed in the first stage appealed the decision. On 23 May 2016, it was announced that all remaining Prva HNL clubs were granted top level license. Only two teams from Druga HNL acquired the top level license: Cibalia and Šibenik.[6]

The following teams participated in the 2016–17 Prva HNL.

Stadia and locations[edit]

Stadium City Home club Licensed club(s) Capacity
Maksimir Zagreb Dinamo Zagreb 38,079[7]
Poljud Split Hajduk Split 34,448[8]
Gradski vrt Osijek Osijek 22,050[9]
Stadion HNK Cibalia Vinkovci Cibalia 9,958[10]
Aldo Drosina Pula Istra 1961 8,923[11]
Kranjčevićeva Zagreb Zagreb Lokomotiva 8,850[12]
Rujevica Rijeka Rijeka 6,134[13]
ŠRC Zaprešić Zaprešić Inter Zaprešić 5,228[14]
Park Mladeži Split RNK Split 4,075[15]
Gradski stadion Koprivnica Slaven Belupo 3,134[16]

Personnel and kits[edit]

Club Manager Captain Kit manufacturer Sponsors
Cibalia Bosnia and Herzegovina Mladen Bartolović Croatia Frane Vitaić Jako
Dinamo Zagreb Bulgaria Ivaylo Petev Croatia Domagoj Antolić Puma
Hajduk Split Spain Joan Carrillo Croatia Zoran Nižić Macron Tommy
Inter Zaprešić Croatia Samir Toplak Croatia Ivan Čović Joma Veleučilište Baltazar Zaprešić
Istra 1961 Croatia Darko Raić-Sudar Croatia Goran Roce Nike Croatia Osiguranje
Lokomotiva Croatia Mario Tokić Croatia Luka Capan Nike Crodux
Osijek Croatia Zoran Zekić Croatia Borna Barišić Nike Osječko
Rijeka Slovenia Matjaž Kek Croatia Mate Maleš Jako Sava Osiguranje
Slaven Belupo Croatia Željko Kopić Croatia Vedran Purić adidas Belupo
RNK Split Bosnia and Herzegovina Bruno Akrapović Croatia Tomislav Duka Jako Skladgradnja

Managerial changes[edit]

Team Outgoing manager Manner of departure Date of vacancy Replaced by Date of appointment Position in table
Lokomotiva Croatia Sreten Ćuk Signed by Persepolis 30 May 2016[17] Croatia Valentin Barišić 30 May 2016[17] Pre-season
Hajduk Split Croatia Damir Burić Removed from position 2 June 2016[18] Slovenia Marijan Pušnik 2 June 2016[18] Pre-season
Dinamo Zagreb Croatia Zoran Mamić Signed by Al-Nassr 20 June 2016[19] Croatia Zlatko Kranjčar 23 June 2016[20] Pre-season
Lokomotiva Croatia Valentin Barišić Removed from position 6 July 2016[21] Croatia Mario Tokić (caretaker) Pre-season
Istra 1961 Croatia Andrej Panadić Resigned 18 July 2016[22] Croatia Goran Tomić 26 July 2016[23] 6th
RNK Split Croatia Goran Sablić Resigned 18 July 2016[24] Croatia Vjekoslav Lokica 20 July 2016[24] 10th
Lokomotiva Croatia Mario Tokić (caretaker) Signing of Ivković Croatia Tomislav Ivković 23 July 2016[25] 7th
Dinamo Zagreb Croatia Zlatko Kranjčar Resigned 18 September 2016[26] Croatia Željko Sopić (caretaker) 3rd
Dinamo Zagreb Croatia Željko Sopić (caretaker) Signing of Petev Bulgaria Ivaylo Petev 29 September 2016[27] 3rd
Lokomotiva Croatia Tomislav Ivković Signed by Al-Faisaly 14 November 2016[28] Croatia Mario Tokić 14 November 2016[28] 6th
Cibalia Croatia Stanko Mršić Removed from position 15 November 2016[29] Croatia Siniša Sesar (caretaker) 9th
Istra 1961 Croatia Goran Tomić Signed by Shenzhen 29 November 2016[30] Croatia Darko Raić-Sudar (caretaker) 5th
Hajduk Split Slovenia Marijan Pušnik Removed from position 1 December 2016[31] Spain Joan Carrillo 5 December 2016[32] 3rd
Istra 1961 Croatia Darko Raić-Sudar (caretaker) Signing of Tot Croatia Marijo Tot 30 December 2016[33] 8th
Cibalia Croatia Siniša Sesar (caretaker) Signing of Pacult Austria Peter Pacult 7 January 2017[34] 10th
RNK Split Croatia Vjekoslav Lokica Resigned 9 February 2017[35] Bosnia and Herzegovina Bruno Akrapović 12 February 2017[36] 9th
Cibalia Austria Peter Pacult Resigned 23 March 2017[37] Bosnia and Herzegovina Mladen Bartolović 27 March 2017[38] 10th
Istra 1961 Croatia Marijo Tot Removed from position 19 May 2017[39] Croatia Darko Raić-Sudar (caretaker) 7th

League table[edit]

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Rijeka (C) 36 27 7 2 71 23 +48 88 Qualification to Champions League second qualifying round
2 Dinamo Zagreb 36 27 5 4 68 24 +44 86 Qualification to Europa League third qualifying round[a]
3 Hajduk Split 36 20 9 7 70 31 +39 69 Qualification to Europa League second qualifying round
4 Osijek 36 20 6 10 52 37 +15 66 Qualification to Europa League first qualifying round
5 Lokomotiva 36 12 8 16 41 38 +3 44
6 Istra 1961 36 10 9 17 33 49 −16 39
7 Slaven Belupo 36 9 11 16 36 45 −9 38
8 Inter Zaprešić 36 5 13 18 26 57 −31 28
9 Cibalia (O) 36 4 9 23 26 79 −53 21 Qualification to Relegation play-offs
10 RNK Split (R) 36 3 9 24 12 52 −40 18 Relegation to Croatian Third Football League[40]
Source: Prva HNL (in Croatian), Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored (away goals if tied); 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Play-off
(Note: Criteria 2-4 and 7 is only used if deciding Champion, teams to international competition or teams for relegation and in that case criteria 6 will not be used).[41]
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. ^ Since winners of 2016–17 Croatian Football Cup, Rijeka, qualified for Champions League, the spot awarded to the cup winner (Europa League third qualifying round) was passed to the runners-up and all other spots were adjusted accordingly.

Results[edit]

Each team plays home-and-away against every other team in the league twice, for a total of 36 matches each played.

Home \ Away CIB DIN HAJ INT IST LOK OSI RIJ SLA SPL CIB DIN HAJ INT IST LOK OSI RIJ SLA SPL
Cibalia 0–2 0–2 3–3 1–1 1–4 0–2 0–0 0–0 1–0 1–2 1–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–3 3–1 1–0
Dinamo Zagreb 3–0 0–0 2–1 1–1 3–1 0–1 1–1 1–1 1–0 6–0 0–2 2–0 2–1 3–1 2–1 5–2 1–0 4–0
Hajduk Split 6–1 0–4 2–0 4–0 1–0 1–0 2–4 4–0 2–1 3–0 0–1 6–0 4–0 1–1 5–1 1–1 1–1 5–2
Inter Zaprešić 1–0 0–1 1–1 2–2 2–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–3 1–3 0–3 0–0 2–2 1–2 1–1 1–0
Istra 1961 3–2 1–2 0–0 4–1 1–1 0–1 0–2 0–0 1–0 1–2 0–3 0–2 1–0 1–0 1–3 1–1 0–0 1–0
Lokomotiva 4–0 0–1 0–2 0–1 2–1 2–3 0–2 0–2 0–0 4–1 1–2 0–0 2–0 1–0 2–0 1–0 2–1 3–0
Osijek 2–0 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–0 0–1 1–0 3–0 2–0 0–1 2–1 2–1 2–0 1–0 2–3 3–0 4–0
Rijeka 2–0 5–2 2–1 1–0 4–1 1–0 3–0 2–0 2–0 4–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–0 2–1 2–0 3–2 2–0
Slaven Belupo 3–2 0–1 2–1 2–0 2–0 2–3 2–3 0–0 0–0 4–0 2–1 1–2 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–2 0–2 0–1
RNK Split 2–2 0–1 0–1 0–0 0–3 0–2 1–1 0–3 3–0 1–0 0–1 1–1 0–0 0–1 0–0 0–1 0–2 0–0
Source: Prva HNL (in Croatian)
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
For upcoming matches, an "a" indicates there is an article about the rivalry between the two participants.

Relegation play-offs[edit]

At the end of the season, ninth placed Cibalia qualified for a two-legged relegation play-off tie against Gorica, runners-up of the 2016–17 Croatian Second Football League.

First leg[edit]

Gorica0–2Cibalia
Report P. Mišić 52'
Baša 89'
Attendance: 1,820
Referee: Fran Jović (Zagreb)

Second leg[edit]

Cibalia3–1Gorica
Baša 22'
Glavica 58'
Vitaić 89'
Report Pejić 40'
Attendance: 1,536
Referee: Ivan Bebek (Rijeka)

Cibalia won 5–1 on aggregate.

Statistics[edit]

Top scorers[edit]

As of 27 May 2017[42][43][44]
Rank Player Club Goals
1 Hungary Márkó Futács Hajduk Split 18
2 Algeria El Arabi Hillel Soudani Dinamo Zagreb 17
3 Croatia Franko Andrijašević Rijeka 16
Bosnia and Herzegovina Armin Hodžić Dinamo Zagreb
5 North Macedonia Muzafer Ejupi Osijek 14
6 Austria Alexander Gorgon Rijeka 12
7 Slovenia Roman Bezjak Rijeka 11
Croatia Ante Erceg Hajduk Split
Switzerland Mario Gavranović Rijeka
Croatia Jakov Puljić Inter Zaprešić

Awards[edit]

Annual awards[edit]

Award[45] Winner Club
Player of the Season Croatia Franko Andrijašević Rijeka
Manager of the Season Slovenia Matjaž Kek Rijeka
Young Player of the Season Croatia Lovro Majer Lokomotiva
Team of the Year[46]
Goalkeeper Croatia Dominik Livaković (Dinamo Zagreb)
Defence North Macedonia Stefan Ristovski (Rijeka) Croatia Marko Lešković (Dinamo Zagreb) Croatia Josip Elez (Rijeka) Croatia Borna Barišić (Osijek)
Midfield Algeria Hillal Soudani (Dinamo Zagreb) Croatia Josip Mišić (Rijeka) Croatia Franko Andrijašević (Rijeka) Croatia Filip Bradarić (Rijeka)
Attack

Switzerland Mario Gavranović (Rijeka)

Hungary Márkó Futács (Hajduk Split)

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b prvahnl.hr
  2. ^ a b c hrnogomet.hr
  3. ^ "POZNAT RASPORED ODIGRAVANJA UTAKMICA ZA SEZONU 2016./2017". prvahnl.hr. 15 June 2016. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
  4. ^ "Glasnik - Službeno glasilo Hrvatskog nogometnog saveza" (PDF). HNS-CFF.hr (in Croatian). 24 February 2016. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  5. ^ "Licence za Prvu HNL dobilo samo sedam klubova". Sportnet.hr (in Croatian). 22 April 2016. Archived from the original on 1 June 2016. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  6. ^ "Središnji postupak licenciranja klubova za natjecateljsku 2016/17. godinu - Konačne odluke" (PDF). HNS-CFF.hr (in Croatian). 23 May 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  7. ^ "Stadion Maksimir". soccerway.com. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
  8. ^ "Stadion Poljud". soccerway.com. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
  9. ^ "Stadion Gradski vrt". soccerway.com. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
  10. ^ "Stadion Cibalia". soccerway.com. Retrieved 22 February 2014.
  11. ^ "Stadion Aldo Drosina". soccerway.com. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  12. ^ "Stadion Kranjčevićeva". soccerway.com. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  13. ^ "Stadion HNK Rijeka". soccerway.com. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  14. ^ "Stadion ŠRC Zaprešić". soccerway.com. Retrieved 22 February 2014.
  15. ^ "Stadion Park mladeži". soccerway.com. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
  16. ^ "Gradski Stadion". soccerway.com. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
  17. ^ a b Bradovski, Mihaela (30 May 2016). "Lokomotiva ima novog trenera, Barišić zamijenio Ćuka". Sportnet.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  18. ^ a b Korać, Branimir (2 June 2016). "Hajduk imenovao Pušnika novim trenerom, a Branca novim sportskim direktorom". Sportnet.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  19. ^ Korać, Branimir (20 June 2016). "Al Nassr potvrdio: Zoran Mamić potpisao jednogodišnji ugovor". Sportnet.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  20. ^ Korać, Branimir (23 June 2016). "Zlatko Kranjčar naslijedio Zorana Mamića na klupi Dinama". Sportnet.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 23 June 2016.
  21. ^ "Loksa spremna pod vodstvom Tokića". sportarena.hr (in Croatian). 6 July 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
  22. ^ Korać, Branimir (18 July 2016). "Za rubriku vjerovali ili ne - dva trenera bivša nakon prvog kola MAXtv Prve lige". Sportnet.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  23. ^ "Goran Tomić novi trener Istre 1961: Moram se dokazati!". Večernji list (in Croatian). 22 July 2016. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  24. ^ a b "Goran Sablić dao ostavku, Split od srijede vodi Vjekoslav Lokica". Večernji list (in Croatian). 19 July 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
  25. ^ Dasović, Tomislav (23 July 2016). "Tomislav Ivković ponovno trener Lokomotive". vecernji.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  26. ^ "Zlatko Kranjčar podnio ostavku na mjesto trenera Dinama". Prvahnl.hr (in Croatian). 18 September 2016. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
  27. ^ Petev new head coach. gnkdinamo.hr. 29 September 2016. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
  28. ^ a b "Tomislav Ivković odlazi u Saudijsku Arabiju, momčad preuzima Mario Tokić". lokomotiva.hr (in Croatian). 14 November 2016. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  29. ^ "Mršićev odlazak: Odoh u Aziju, ali vratit ću se i peti put u Cibaliju". goal.com (in Croatian). 15 November 2016. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  30. ^ Korać, Branimir (29 November 2016). "Istra 1961 ostala bez trenera, Goran Tomić odlazi u Kinu". Sportnet.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  31. ^ Korać, Branimir (1 December 2016). "Split presudio Pušniku, Slovenac nije više trener Hajduka". Sportnet.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  32. ^ "JOAN CARRILLO NOVI JE TRENER HAJDUKA!". Hajduk Split (in Croatian). 5 December 2016. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  33. ^ "Marijo Tot novi trener Istre". goal.com (in Croatian). 30 December 2016. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
  34. ^ "Peter Pacult novi trener Cibalije". Glas Slavonije (in Croatian). 7 January 2017. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  35. ^ "Vjekoslav Lokica podnosi ostavku na mjesto trenera RNK Split!". Dalmatinski Portal (in Croatian). 9 February 2017. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  36. ^ Španjić, Toni (12 February 2017). "Scoria se predomislio, Bruno Akrapović novi trener RNK Splita". Dalmatinski Portal (in Croatian). Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  37. ^ "Pacult više nije trener Cibalije". HRT (in Croatian). 23 March 2017. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
  38. ^ "Mladen Bartolović novi trener Cibalije". HRT (in Croatian). 27 March 2017. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
  39. ^ "Tot dobio otkaz u Puli!". sportplusinfo.com (in Croatian). 19 May 2017. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  40. ^ "Split ostao bez licence i seli u 3. HNL!". radiodalmacija.hr (in Croatian). 23 May 2017. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  41. ^ "Propozicije natjecanja za prvenstvo MAXtv Prve lige za natjecateljsku godinu 2016/2017" (PDF). hns-cff.hr (in Croatian). 6 July 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 October 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  42. ^ PrvaHNL.hr
  43. ^ Soccerway - Players
  44. ^ SofaScore
  45. ^ "Trofej Nogometaš 2017 - Priopćenje za javnost / Novosti / Hrvatska udruga "Nogometni sindikat"". 12 August 2017. Archived from the original on 12 August 2017. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  46. ^ "Trofej Nogometaš 2017 - Priopćenje za javnost / Novosti / Hrvatska udruga "Nogometni sindikat"". 12 August 2017. Archived from the original on 12 August 2017. Retrieved 1 December 2022.

External links[edit]