Croatia round-up: On-form Dinamo march on

NK Dinamo Zagreb, fresh from their 6-0 win against Hungarian champions Zalaegerszegi TE in the UEFA Cup first round, went top of the Croatian Premier League with a 2-0 victory at previous leaders NK Varteks.

Balaban scores winner
Dinamo left it until the 74th minute before taking the lead through Silvio Maric, and Boško Balaban, on loan from Aston Villa FC, wrapped up the points three minutes from the end.

Hajduk bounce back
HNK Hajduk Split are up to second after a 5-1 win at home to bottom-placed NK Pomorac. Hajduk, beaten 1-0 by Fulham FC in the first leg of their UEFA Cup tie, went ahead on nine minutes with Vlatko Dolonga's goal. Petar Krpan, Dean Racunica and Zvonimir Deranja then added second-half goals to ensure victory. Marin Prpic secured a late consolation, but Deranja had time to score his second in the last minute.

Cibalia setback
HNK Cibalia began the weekend hoping to go top, but are down to fourth after losing 2-1 at HNK Rijeka. The home side went ahead in the ninth minute through Sandro Klic, and although Mladen Bartolovic pulled HNK level 13 minutes later, Natko Racki claimed a second-half winner.

Zagreb in touch
NK Zagreb kept in touch with the leaders as they beat NK Slaven Belupo 2-0. Krunoslav Lovrek scored the first early in the second half, and Hrvoje Strok sealed the win three minutes from the end.

Jakirovic levels
Ivan Bulat's early penalty put HNK Šibenik in front against NK Kamen Ingrad Velika before Sergej Jakirovic hit back at the end of the first half to earn a 1-1 draw, and Dejan Pavlicic scored twice in the opening 18 minutes to put NK Osijek on the way to a 3-0 home win over NK Zadarkomerc, with Danijel Popovic claiming the other goal.