2016–17_Croatian_First_Football_League
2016–17 Croatian First Football League
26th season of the Croatian First Football League
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.
Quick Facts Season, Dates ...
| Season | 2016–17 |
|---|---|
| Dates | 15 July 2016 – 27 May 2017 |
| Champions | Rijeka |
| Relegated | RNK Split |
| Champions League | Rijeka |
| Europa League | Dinamo Zagreb Hajduk Split Osijek |
| Matches played | 180 |
| Goals scored | 435 (2.42 per match) |
| Top goalscorer | Márkó Futács (18) |
| Biggest home win | Dinamo Zagreb 6–0 Cibalia Hajduk Split 6–0 Inter Zaprešić |
| Biggest away win | Hajduk Split 0–4 Dinamo Zagreb |
| Highest scoring | Rijeka 5–2 Dinamo Zagreb Hajduk Split 6–1 Cibalia Hajduk Split 5–2 RNK Split Dinamo Zagreb 5–2 Rijeka |
| Longest winning run | Dinamo Zagreb (8) |
| Longest unbeaten run | Rijeka (31) |
| Longest winless run | Inter Zaprešić (17) |
| Longest losing run | Cibalia (7) |
| Highest attendance | 29,109 Hajduk Split 0–4 Dinamo Zagreb |
| Lowest attendance | 45 Hajduk Split 1–1 Slaven Belupo Hajduk Split 3–0 Cibalia |
| Total attendance | 494,941[1][2] |
| Average attendance | 2,750[1][2] |
← 2015–16 2017–18 →
All statistics correct as of 27 May 2017[2]. | |
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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.
Locations of teams in 2016–17 Prva HNL
Stadia and locations
More information Stadium, City ...
| 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] | |
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Personnel and kits
More information Club, Manager ...
| Club | Manager | Captain | Kit manufacturer | Sponsors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cibalia |  Mladen Bartolović |
 Frane Vitaić |
Jako | |
| Dinamo Zagreb |  Ivaylo Petev |
Domagoj Antolić |
Puma | |
| Hajduk Split |  Joan Carrillo |
Zoran Nižić |
Macron | Tommy |
| Inter Zaprešić | Samir Toplak |
Ivan Čović |
Joma | Veleučilište Baltazar Zaprešić |
| Istra 1961 | Darko Raić-Sudar |
Goran Roce |
Nike | Croatia Osiguranje |
| Lokomotiva | Mario Tokić |
Luka Capan |
Nike | Crodux |
| Osijek | Zoran Zekić |
Borna Barišić |
Nike | Osječko |
| Rijeka |  Matjaž Kek |
Mate Maleš |
Jako | Sava Osiguranje |
| Slaven Belupo | Željko Kopić |
Vedran Purić |
adidas | Belupo |
| RNK Split | Bruno Akrapović |
Tomislav Duka |
Jako | Skladgradnja |
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Managerial changes
More information Team, Outgoing manager ...
| Team | Outgoing manager | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Replaced by | Date of appointment | Position in table |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lokomotiva | Sreten Ćuk |
Signed by Persepolis | 30 May 2016[17] | Valentin Barišić |
30 May 2016[17] | Pre-season |
| Hajduk Split | Damir Burić |
Removed from position | 2 June 2016[18] | Marijan Pušnik |
2 June 2016[18] | Pre-season |
| Dinamo Zagreb | Zoran Mamić |
Signed by Al-Nassr | 20 June 2016[19] | Zlatko Kranjčar |
23 June 2016[20] | Pre-season |
| Lokomotiva | Valentin Barišić |
Removed from position | 6 July 2016[21] | Mario Tokić (caretaker) |
– | Pre-season |
| Istra 1961 | Andrej Panadić |
Resigned | 18 July 2016[22] | Goran Tomić |
26 July 2016[23] | 6th |
| RNK Split | Goran Sablić |
Resigned | 18 July 2016[24] | Vjekoslav Lokica |
20 July 2016[24] | 10th |
| Lokomotiva | Mario Tokić (caretaker) |
Signing of Ivković | – | Tomislav Ivković |
23 July 2016[25] | 7th |
| Dinamo Zagreb | Zlatko Kranjčar |
Resigned | 18 September 2016[26] | Željko Sopić (caretaker) |
– | 3rd |
| Dinamo Zagreb | Željko Sopić (caretaker) |
Signing of Petev | – | Ivaylo Petev |
29 September 2016[27] | 3rd |
| Lokomotiva | Tomislav Ivković |
Signed by Al-Faisaly | 14 November 2016[28] | Mario Tokić |
14 November 2016[28] | 6th |
| Cibalia | Stanko Mršić |
Removed from position | 15 November 2016[29] | Siniša Sesar (caretaker) |
– | 9th |
| Istra 1961 | Goran Tomić |
Signed by Shenzhen | 29 November 2016[30] | Darko Raić-Sudar (caretaker) |
– | 5th |
| Hajduk Split | Marijan Pušnik |
Removed from position | 1 December 2016[31] | Joan Carrillo |
5 December 2016[32] | 3rd |
| Istra 1961 | Darko Raić-Sudar (caretaker) |
Signing of Tot | – | Marijo Tot |
30 December 2016[33] | 8th |
| Cibalia | Siniša Sesar (caretaker) |
Signing of Pacult | – |  Peter Pacult |
7 January 2017[34] | 10th |
| RNK Split | Vjekoslav Lokica |
Resigned | 9 February 2017[35] | Bruno Akrapović |
12 February 2017[36] | 9th |
| Cibalia | Peter Pacult |
Resigned | 23 March 2017[37] | Mladen Bartolović |
27 March 2017[38] | 10th |
| Istra 1961 | Marijo Tot |
Removed from position | 19 May 2017[39] | Darko Raić-Sudar (caretaker) |
– | 7th |
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More information Pos, Team ...
| 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[lower-alpha 1] |
| 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] |
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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:
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:
- 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.
Each team plays home-and-away against every other team in the league twice, for a total of 36 matches each played.
More information Home \ Away, CIB ...
| 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 | — |
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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.
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.
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
Second leg
More information Cibalia, 3–1 ...
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Cibalia won 5–1 on aggregate.
Top scorers
More information Rank, Player ...
| Rank | Player | Club | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Márkó Futács |
Hajduk Split | 18 |
| 2 |  El Arabi Hillel Soudani |
Dinamo Zagreb | 17 |
| 3 | Franko Andrijašević |
Rijeka | 16 |
| Armin Hodžić |
Dinamo Zagreb | ||
| 5 |  Muzafer Ejupi |
Osijek | 14 |
| 6 | Alexander Gorgon |
Rijeka | 12 |
| 7 | Roman Bezjak |
Rijeka | 11 |
| Ante Erceg |
Hajduk Split | ||
 Mario Gavranović |
Rijeka | ||
| Jakov Puljić |
Inter Zaprešić | ||
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Annual awards
More information Award, Winner ...
| Award[45] | Winner | Club |
|---|---|---|
| Player of the Season | Franko Andrijašević |
Rijeka |
| Manager of the Season | Matjaž Kek |
Rijeka |
| Young Player of the Season | Lovro Majer |
Lokomotiva |
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More information Team of the Year ...
| Team of the Year[46] | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Dominik Livaković (Dinamo Zagreb) | ||||||
| Defence | Stefan Ristovski (Rijeka) |
Marko Lešković (Dinamo Zagreb) |
Josip Elez (Rijeka) |
Borna Barišić (Osijek) | |||
| Midfield | Hillal Soudani (Dinamo Zagreb) |
Josip Mišić (Rijeka) |
Franko Andrijašević (Rijeka) |
Filip Bradarić (Rijeka) | |||
| Attack |
|
Márkó Futács (Hajduk Split) | |||||
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- "POZNAT RASPORED ODIGRAVANJA UTAKMICA ZA SEZONU 2016./2017". prvahnl.hr. 15 June 2016. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
- "Glasnik - Službeno glasilo Hrvatskog nogometnog saveza" (PDF). HNS-CFF.hr (in Croatian). 24 February 2016. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
- "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.
- "Središnji postupak licenciranja klubova za natjecateljsku 2016/17. godinu - Konačne odluke" (PDF). HNS-CFF.hr (in Croatian). 23 May 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
- "Stadion Maksimir". soccerway.com. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
- "Stadion Poljud". soccerway.com. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
- "Stadion Gradski vrt". soccerway.com. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
- "Stadion Cibalia". soccerway.com. Retrieved 22 February 2014.
- "Stadion Aldo Drosina". soccerway.com. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
- "Stadion Kranjčevićeva". soccerway.com. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
- "Stadion HNK Rijeka". soccerway.com. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
- "Stadion ŠRC Zaprešić". soccerway.com. Retrieved 22 February 2014.
- "Stadion Park mladeži". soccerway.com. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
- "Gradski Stadion". soccerway.com. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
- Bradovski, Mihaela (30 May 2016). "Lokomotiva ima novog trenera, Barišić zamijenio Ćuka". Sportnet.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 21 June 2016.
- Korać, Branimir (2 June 2016). "Hajduk imenovao Pušnika novim trenerom, a Branca novim sportskim direktorom". Sportnet.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 21 June 2016.
- Korać, Branimir (20 June 2016). "Al Nassr potvrdio: Zoran Mamić potpisao jednogodišnji ugovor". Sportnet.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 21 June 2016.
- Korać, Branimir (23 June 2016). "Zlatko Kranjčar naslijedio Zorana Mamića na klupi Dinama". Sportnet.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 23 June 2016.
- "Loksa spremna pod vodstvom Tokića". sportarena.hr (in Croatian). 6 July 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
- 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.
- "Goran Tomić novi trener Istre 1961: Moram se dokazati!". Večernji list (in Croatian). 22 July 2016. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
- "Goran Sablić dao ostavku, Split od srijede vodi Vjekoslav Lokica". Večernji list (in Croatian). 19 July 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
- Dasović, Tomislav (23 July 2016). "Tomislav Ivković ponovno trener Lokomotive". vecernji.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 16 November 2016.
- "Zlatko Kranjčar podnio ostavku na mjesto trenera Dinama". Prvahnl.hr (in Croatian). 18 September 2016. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
- Petev new head coach. gnkdinamo.hr. 29 September 2016. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
- "Tomislav Ivković odlazi u Saudijsku Arabiju, momčad preuzima Mario Tokić". lokomotiva.hr (in Croatian). 14 November 2016. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
- "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.
- Korać, Branimir (29 November 2016). "Istra 1961 ostala bez trenera, Goran Tomić odlazi u Kinu". Sportnet.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 1 December 2016.
- Korać, Branimir (1 December 2016). "Split presudio Pušniku, Slovenac nije više trener Hajduka". Sportnet.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 1 December 2016.
- "JOAN CARRILLO NOVI JE TRENER HAJDUKA!". Hajduk Split (in Croatian). 5 December 2016. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
- "Marijo Tot novi trener Istre". goal.com (in Croatian). 30 December 2016. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
- "Peter Pacult novi trener Cibalije". Glas Slavonije (in Croatian). 7 January 2017. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
- "Vjekoslav Lokica podnosi ostavku na mjesto trenera RNK Split!". Dalmatinski Portal (in Croatian). 9 February 2017. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- Španjić, Toni (12 February 2017). "Scoria se predomislio, Bruno Akrapović novi trener RNK Splita". Dalmatinski Portal (in Croatian). Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- "Pacult više nije trener Cibalije". HRT (in Croatian). 23 March 2017. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
- "Mladen Bartolović novi trener Cibalije". HRT (in Croatian). 27 March 2017. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
- "Tot dobio otkaz u Puli!". sportplusinfo.com (in Croatian). 19 May 2017. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
- "Split ostao bez licence i seli u 3. HNL!". radiodalmacija.hr (in Croatian). 23 May 2017. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
- "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.
- "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.
- "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.
- Official website (in Croatian)
- Prva HNL at UEFA.com