THE ETERNAL DERBY
 
 
In some countries there are several fixtures which vie for the title of the nation's derby. In Croatia there is no question - when HNK Hajduk Split take on NK Dinamo Zagreb in the Vječni derbi [Eternal derby], all else pales into insignificance.

The Croatian Vječni derbi has a less global profile then matches like Barcelona versus Real Madrid or Boca Juniors against River Plate but serves up just as much spectacle, drama and passion!

 Since 1924, 169 derbies have been played between the two giants. The first game between Modri [Dark Blues] and Bili [Whites] dates back to the early 1920s. Under WW2 no matches were played because of the Italian occupation. Under the time when Croatia was a part of former Yugoslavia the clubs didn't play each other every year for different reasons. The first-ever official Vječni derbi took 









 

BBB in action 

place on 1 April 1946. Hajduk emerged 2-0 winners and also took the next two meetings, before Dinamo registered their first success on 14 September 1947.
Dinamo have the advantage in number of championships with 9 Croatian trophies while Hajduk have 6. Dinamo was founded in 1945 [1911 as Građanski] and Hajduk in 1911.

The classic clash between two arch-rivals has lost nothing of its edge and excitement over the years. For at least a week, the entire nation splits into opposing camps, prompting plentiful column inches in the papers and report after analysis after latest news bulletin on TV. The match serves to divide many a family, one section for Modri and the other for Bili.

 Matches are traditionally close-fought affairs with thumping victories a rarity. Neither side can afford to lose the derby! On matchday itself, the stage is set by renowned supporter firms the Bad Blue Boys from Zagreb and Torcida from Split, creating a sensational atmosphere with unceasing chants and choreographed moves. Dinamo's former Brazilian-born striker Eduardo da Silva [now at Arsenal] echoes that thought: "I've seen a few things in Brazil but when I see the show put on by our fans here, a shiver goes down my spine. It's just gigantic!" Unfortunally the tense and passionate atmosphere ofthen results in fights between the two hardcore firms, usually outside the stadium but even in it a few times.

 Whoever takes the honours at the end of the day, football is always the real winner. Derbies are a melting pot of unforgettable moments and memories, able to put a shine in fans' eyes even years later. And as any football fan knows, a derby win is truly something to savour.



 RECORDS AGAINST HAJDUK

First registered match against Hajduk
 Sep 7 1924 Away Draw 4-4.

First official match against Hajduk
Apr 1 1946 Away [league] 0-2

 Biggest Dinamo home win over Hajduk
5-1 [31 May 1953 - League]

Biggest Dinamo away win over Hajduk
5-1 [4 June 1972 - League]

Biggest Dinamo home defeat to Hajduk
0-6 (3 April 1955 - League)

 Biggest Dinamo away defeat to Hajduk
 1-5 (25 August 1957 - League)
Last Dinamo win
 3-0 [7 May 2008 - Croatian Cup final, 1st game.]

 Last Hajduk win
1-0 [15 April 2006 - League.]

 Last Dinamo win at Poljud
 1-2 [7 October 2007 - League.]

Last Hajduk win at Maksimir
0-2 [21 September 2008 - League.]

Total
 Dinamo vs. Hajduk 172 66 45 61 242:233



 SOME TRIVIA

Hajduk midfielder Milan Rapaić scored the fastest goal ever in the history of the Eternal Derby. It came allready in the first minute of the game that was played in Split during the 1995/96 season.

Cards are not rare in these matches and Dinamo's Brazilian striker will be remembered forever. On the 15th of April 2006 he came on in the 79th minute and was sent off only 10 seconds later! This is also a world record!

Seven penalties has been awarded in the Derbies played since the start of the 1.HNL, 3 of them came in the derby played on October 1 2006.

Three Derbies have also been played indoor at the less important Croatian Indoor Tournament that is played during the the winter break. Both clubs have one victory while one match ended in a draw.

The only hat-trick scored since the 1.HNL start in 1992 belongs to Dinamo's Eduardo da Silva, more know as just Eduardo. The hat-trick came on May 19 2007.

 

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