4 Months a YouTuber: Comparing Paul Bradbury Stats with the Kingdom
March 21, 2023 - Four months a YouTuber, time to reflect on my journey into an unknown world while keeping an eye on the promotion over at the Kingdom of Accidental Tourism.
Full disclaimer: when someone sues you for no reason - twice - and plays with you for 2.5 years, before dropping two cases they knew they had no chance (and I suspect, interest) of winning, it changes one's perspective.
Long before I was sued by the Kingdom of Accidental Tourism, aka the Croatian National Tourist Board, I had questioned the point of their existence. I genuinely think if we abolished the Kingdom, the Ministry of Tourism, and whatever that tourism thing is in the Croatian Chamber of Economy, and replaced them all with Nikola Tesla at the head of Croatian tourism, we would have the same number of tourists. And probably even more tourism ideas, even though he has been dead for 80 years. He wouldn't take a salary, and at least he is a brand.
Does anyone disagree?
Over the years, I have listened to many self-congratulatory claims by the Kingdom's senior ambassadors, but one in particular stayed with me. It was back in October 2021 at the annual Days of Croatian Self-Congrratulation, aka Days of Croatian Tourism, the annual gathering of the official tourism industry to pat themselves on the back at great expense for a job well done. You can read more about it in my article of the time - Ever Been to a Party Where the Host is Suing You?
I will forever be grateful to Minister of Tourism and Sports, Nikolina Brnjac, for coming over to say hello in what was a fairly hostile atmosphere. Thank you, once again.
Director of the Croatian National Tourist Board, Kristjan Stanicic, gave a typically self-congratulatory speech about his accomplishments over the year, including the great success of the digital nomad campaign, Croatia, Your New Office, which 'achieved over 8 million impressions' during the month-long campaign.
It was all I could do to not laugh out loud at the time. The main sources of interest in digital nomads coming to Croatia were Jan de Jong, Saltwater Nomads, and TCN. While Jan became the face of Croatia's remote work welcome and Tanja Polegubic from Saltwater Nomads was delivering award-winning conferences and programmes, the Kingdom was doing nothing. But if the Director announced his campaign was a success, then it must be so, right?
(Source HTZ.hr Press Release)
And suddenly, a campaign which influenced nobody I spoke to (and I spoke to a LOT of nomads) was a great success. With over 8 million 'impressions.'
What is an 'impression'? Compared to a click when the person reads the article or watches the video? It simply means it appears in your social media feed and you see it. Often (as in this case) it is sponsored, and you see it and ignore it. The Kingdom spent 250,000 kuna sponsoring ads to get to that 'successful' campaign of 8 million impressions.
Despite spending over THIRTY THOUSAND EURO on the campaign, they only got - by their own admission - 60,300 clicks to the site, not all of which necessarily came from the campaign (see email exchange with the Kingdom and I below). In other words, ONE EURO FOR TWO CLICKS.
A successful campaign, claimed Director Stanicic.
(Source - email exchange with the Croatian National Tourist Board)
I couldn't help thinking that 250,000 kuna was an incredible amount of money to throw away on social media boosting. Why not invest that money in someone who could generate those clicks organically, genuinely, by producing great content and driving engagement?
Of course, it is all very well to talk about these things, but how realistic was it to be able to do that?
Four months ago, I started a journey, completely unrelated to this question, and I got my answer.
When I decided to start the YouTube channel, Paul Bradbury Croatia Expert, I had limited expectations. Although I knew my content was good, and I was ready to engage and build a community, the reality is that I have a face for radio, no budget, and limited access to quality video materials of destinations.
But that number of the 'successful' 8 million impressions would not leave me. I didn't have 30,000+ euro to buy those impressions, I would have to do it all organically. Budget zero, apart from my time and the time of my video partner, Igor Vuk.
Four months later, I have some answers.
Passing the 8 million impressions of a 'successful' project took us 34 videos, zero euro, and an investment of our time. By far away the biggest time investment on my side was engagement and building community. Here are my (100% organic and unboosted) statistics after 4 months of a journey into a media I knew nothing about - video.
Paul Bradbury Croatia Expert, the first 4 months in numbers - November 14 - March 14
34 videos
928,399 - total views (compared to 60,300 clicks at a cost of 250,000 kuna)
27,300 average organic views per video
8.4 million impressions
3.02 minutes average watch time
9,302 subscribers, all organic, compared to the Kingdom's 21,000 - over 12 years. A national institution with a budget v a small vlogger.
98.7% - positive likes
300 - 10,000 - YouTube likes per vid
30-1200 - YouTube comments - per vid
80% of traffic from within YouTube
Most successful article - 1.6 million organic views
783k - Facebook
250k - YouTube
567k - Tiktok
Cost (apart from time) - ZERO
I present the statistics not to boast but to show the Emperor's clothes and the reality of what is happening. Of how tourism promotion money, when not being used to harass bloggers in court, is used so inefficiently that it is beyond sad. Getting organic views, building engagement and community takes a lot of work, of course it does, but with some 70-80 well-paid full-time employees, shouldn't that be someone's job description?
Some simple screenshots will explain things a little better. Here is the screenshot of the latest videos on the official YouTube channel of the Croatian National Tourist Board:
Of the last 8 videos, with all the promo and power available to the Kingdom and its 21,000 subscribers, only one has more than 1,000 views. And that one has an incredible 1.6 MILLION views. Let's take a closer look...
Some 1.6 million views, but only ELEVEN likes. What kind of video or viewer must it be that only 11 people out of 1.6 million like the video? Perhaps it was the Norwegian train which featured in this promotion of Croatian Tourism Month that kept the likes so low.
And comments turned off, so that nobody can engage. Why? Too much work? Easier to throw hard-earned taxpayers' money at the problem, rather than do some work?
And one wonders at the cost of producing videos which get 157 views on the national tourist board flagship YouTube channel.
It is not much better on the official Kingdom Facebook page, despite having 1.7 million followers - thankfully, Croatia has a great football team to boost traffic.
Of course, it is always easy to criticise. Show how you can do better.
Not even 250,000 views compared to 1.6 million, but 10,000 likes compared to just 11. Over 1,200 comments v comments switched off. There are more likes on some of the comments than views on the Kingdom's videos.
And that is why I vote for the abolishment of the Croatian National Tourist Board, part 17.
And my vote goes to Nikola Tesla to run Croatian tourism.
Meanwhile, I am off to join the TikTok revolution - you can be at the start of the journey as we launch the Paul Bradbury Croatia TikTok channel this week.
And if you are interested in the culture of SLAPP lawsuits in Croatia, you can read about my experience in 10 Things I Learned from my SLAPP Lawsuits in Croatia.
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You can subscribe to the Paul Bradbury Croatia Expert YouTube channel here.
What is it like to live in Croatia? An expat for 20 years, you can follow my series, 20 Ways Croatia Changed Me in 20 Years, starting at the beginning - Business and Dalmatia.
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Croatia Looking for Bidders for State Business Spaces in 5 Cities
March 21, 2023 - The Republic of Croatia is looking for bidders for ten-year leases of 25 state business spaces, located in five cities. The deadline for applications is April 5, the state company Državne Nekretnine, which is conducting the tender, reported on Monday.
As 24Sata writes, the cities where the advertised business premises are located include Zagreb, Bjelovar, Pula, Rijeka, and Split. All the premises are leased as seen for ten years with an exemption from paying rent for the first month after the solemnization of the contract.
The majority of commercial spaces for lease are located in Zagreb, 18 of them, among which are two street and two basement spaces in the city center at the locations of Prolaz Sestara Baković 1, Teslina 13 and Tomićeva 3.
Regarding rents, they say that, for example, the initial rent for the space in Prolaz Sestara Baković near Cvjetni trg, which connects Masarykova and Varšavska, is 176.42 euros per month, and this is the smallest space offered with an area of only 12 square meters (m2).
At 13 Nikola Tesla Street in Zagreb, the starting price for renting a street space of about 20 m2 is 14.39 euros per m2, while the starting rent for a basement space of about 38 m2 is half the price.
For two office spaces in Bjelovar, at the address Ivan Gundulića 10, adjacent spaces of 50 and 70 square meters are leased, with an initial rent of 7.20 euros/m2.
Three office spaces in Rijeka, at the locations of Ivan Čikovića Belog 8B, Školjić 7D, and Tizianova 36A, are repeated from the previous lease tender because the offers received for them were invalid. Državne Nekretnine is reminding interested bidders that the extract from the corresponding register is an integral part of the offer and that the offer should be bound and numbered.
Before applying for the tender, all interested parties can view the premises between March 27 and 31, 2023, and legal and natural persons and associations can apply.
For more, make sure to check out our dedicated News section.
See Where Croatia Ranked on the 2023 World Happiness Report
March 21, 2023 - Croatia, the land of sunshine, sea, and wine. The land of pristine nature, and good food, always an inspiration for a good mood. The perfect mix of absurd and extraordinary. A laidback lifestyle for all. But how did it rank on the 2023 World Happiness Report?
Finland has been declared the country with the happiest population for the sixth year in a row, according to the World Happiness Report that was published yesterday, as reported by Index.
The report, which also considered the effects of the crisis caused by the coronavirus on people's well-being, is compiled every year by scientists in the USA based on surveys by the Gallup Institute.
According to the report, the happy Finns are followed by the residents of Denmark, Iceland, Israel, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and New Zealand.
Croatia in 48th place
Croatia is in 48th place, behind Japan and ahead of Brazil. Among Croatia's neighbouring countries, Slovenia ranks the happiest in 22nd place, Italy in 33rd place, Serbia comes in 45th, while Hungary is 51st. Montenegro is in 67th place on the World Happiness Report, Bosnia and Herzegovina is in 71stst place, while Kosovo is 34th on the list.
Saudi Arabia is in 30th place, Kazakhstan is in 44th place, and Argentina is in 52nd place. Greece is slightly lower on the report, in 58th place, following South Korea. Russia is one spot above BiH; it is in 70th place.
Albania is in 83rd place, above Indonesia and South Africa.
At the bottom of the ranking are predominantly African countries, and war-torn Afghanistan and Lebanon are the two unhappiest countries in the world, concluded a survey that included a total of 137 countries.
Scientists claim that people's happiness assessment remained "remarkably resilient" despite the Covid-19 pandemic, with global averages from 2020 to 2022 as high as those in the pre-pandemic years of 2017 to 2019.
For more, make sure to check out our dedicated News section.
Croatian Nexe Group to Have First On Shore CO2 Storage in Europe
March the 21st, 2023 - The Croatian Nexe is set to embark on a massive 400 million euro project which will see them boast the very first on shore CO2 storage facilities in all of Europe.
As Poslovni Dnevnik/Suzana Varosanec writes, with the already agreed upon cooperation on a globally unique project called CO2NTESSA between the Croatian Nexe Group and their international partner Thyssenkrupp Group, the Nasice cement industry was the first to jump on the train to apply for a CO2 neutral cement production project to the Innovation Fund for financing large-scale projects.
With an estimated value of 400 million euros, this will be one of the largest planned industrial projects in all of Croatia, which also represents the first on-shore CO2 storage in all of Europe. Namely, the Croatian Nexe Group would become the first user of the future infrastructure for the transport and storage of carbon dioxide that the Republic of Croatia plans to implement as part of the wider Croatia GT CCS project. The warehouse where the contained CO2 will be disposed of and transported via pipelines is located nearby at the Bockovci-1 location.
There, CO2 will be placed into the reservoir, which will be a saline aquifer. In addition to that, as part of cross-border cooperation on the Croatia GT CCS project, this deposit in Slavonia will be used by the neighbouring Hungarian cement industry, a move which is expected to be realised as part of the operational activities for which Plinacro and the Hydrocarbons Agency are in charge. The project of the Croatian Nexe and the German group, which otherwise has more than 70,000 patents, envisages the construction of a new plant based on Oxyfuel technology of the second generation, which repesents the only long-term current solution for the complete removal of harmful CO2 emissions.
The contract was signed last week here in Zagreb by Ivan Ergovic, the president of the Croatian Nexe Group, the largest company within this group which is the leading regional producer of construction materials, and Frank Ruoss, a member of the Management Board of the Polysius business unit in the ThyssenKrupp Industrial Solutions group.
By the end of 2024, the plan is to close the financial structure. At the same time, in 2025, the preparation of project documentation and the obtaining of all permits are planned, while the first "shovel" to hit the ground is expected to do so in 2026, and the full functionality of the new factory is expected in the year 2029. According to the current plans, at the turn of the next decade, the Croatian Nexe Group will produce CO2 neutral cement and be price competitive, with the aim to fulfill all of the guidelines of green construction and the European Green Plan implied.
As for the closing of the financial structure, the Croatian Nexe Group is counting on the support of the banks in the remaining part of around 200 million euros.
"We have a letter of support from the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development (HBOR), and a letter of support from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, as well as several commercial banks, such as Erste and Nova Hrvatska Banka," Ergovic revealed.
The Croatian Nexe Group wants to be a leader in the green transition, according to Ergovic, and that is why it has been focused on the implementation of projects with the aim of reducing our carbon footprint, increasing energy efficiency and increasing the share of use of alternative fuels and raw materials for many years now.
In order to ensure the long-term development and sustainability of business, and to be more prepared for new market circumstances, at the end of last year, they defined a new Group Development Strategy for the period 2022-2030.
In the strategic pillars, the energy and green transition stand out as the main goals. The energy transition implies a series of projects aimed at reducing the energy dependence of their factories by investing in energy production from renewable sources, while the green transition implies a reduction of CO2 emissions by more than 50% by the year 2030 by investing in new technological solutions and through operational excellence.
Their cement factory in Nasice accounts for a third of all current Croatian production, with more than a million tonnes of cement made by year, and with 50 percent of it being exported. Cement production is an energy-intensive industry and one million tonnes of cement requires more than 900 GWh, with temperatures needing to be higher than 1400 degrees Celsius. This produces more than 700,000 tonnes of CO2 annually. More than 60 percent of these emissions cannot be avoided by using renewable energy sources, so this project represents an excellent solution.
Ergovic also pointed out that this is the future of the entire cement industry because this innovative technology enables the complete removal of CO2 from the production process, which would mean the removal of more than 700,000 tonnes per year. This is the amount emitted annually by more than 500,000 fossil fuel vehicles, and is the equivalent of 3 percent of the total CO2 emissions created here in the Republic of Croatia.
As Ruoss pointed out, the decarbonisation of the whole industry is one of the most important tasks of our time, and for the cement industry in particular, this means producing products in a more sustainable and carbon-neutral way in the future.
"This represents a great challenge that requires the use of new technologies. Our technology enables the optimal capture of CO2 generated in the production process, which
significantly contributes to the green transition of the cement industry," concluded Ruoss.
For more, check out our dedicated business section.
Fina Proposes Brodosplit Bankruptcy Owing to 23.8 Million Euro Debt
March the 21st, 2023 - Is it all over for the enfeebled Split shipyard Brodosplit? After struggling for a considerable amount of time now, Fina is proposing Brodosplit bankruptcy proceedings owing to a debt of over 20 million euros.
As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, the Financial Agency (FINA) has officially submitted a proposal to the Commercial Court in Split to open Brodosplit bankruptcy proceedings, stating that the company has unpaid bases for payment of a massive 23.8 million euros.
According to FINA's information, as of March the 9th, 2023, the debtor has had unexecuted payment bases for a continuous period of 120 days, in the total amount of 23,828,527.04 euros, recorded in the Register of the Order of Payment Basis.
When we look at the data on the number of Brodosplit employees submitted to the Financial Agency by the Croatian Institute for Pension Insurance, the debtor has 99 employees. This could be seen in FINA's proposal which was published last week on the e-bulletin of the courts. FIBA as such submitted a new proposal to launch Brodosplit bankruptcy proceedings, and this proposal arrived at the Split Commercial Court on March the 10th. It was also published on the eOglasna panel. A hearing has been announced for March the 24th to comment on the proposal to open bankruptcy proceedings against the Split shipyard.
This followed after the High Commercial Court (VTS) rejected the appeal of the owner of Brodosplit, Tomislav Debeljak, against the decision of the Split Court to initiate a new pre-bankruptcy procedure. VTS granted the right to judge Ivan Culic to continue ex officio proceedings after the suspension of the pre-bankruptcy settlement proceedings as if a proposal to open Brodosplit bankruptcy had been submitted.
VTS believes that bankruptcy can only be prevented now with the offer of evidence of liquidity and the full payment of Brodosplit's obligations to its creditors. At the Commercial Court in Split, these cases are classified by automatic allocation, and as such, this new proposal was assigned to Judge Ana Golub Gruic.
Given that a hearing for Brodosplit is scheduled for March the 24th, 2023, at the Commercial Court, it is most likely that the new proposal for Brodosplit bankruptcy proceedings that has just arrived will be added to the existing one overseen by Judge Ivan Culic, given that it isn't possible to decide on two proposals.
For more, check out our business section.
Heart of Croatia: Beautiful Poetry by Katarina Bučić
March 20, 2023 - A first for TCN - a new correspondent focusing on poetry. Please welcome Katarina Bučić, contribor 189 for TCN, with some of the most beautiful words.
Katarina Bučić is a writer and poet born and raised in Toronto, Canada by first generation Croatian immigrant. She has now returned to the motherland and is living in Zadar, Croatia. Katarina has a long history in creative arts and has a specific passion for poetry. She has taken part in many creative projects and with her recent move to Croatia, her love for her new home has inspired her most recent poetry project, The Heart of Croatia.
“The Heart of Croatia is guided by my experience of moving from the Western culture of Canada to the deeply historic and magical Croatia. This country has given me a second life.Her beauty overwhelms me, her history devastates me, and her abundance inspires me. Join me in my tribute to this country I now call home and in the evolution of my experiences, and my immersion in her magnificence.”
Zadar
The sun is hot on our faces
our skin becoming kissed
The sound of birds, dogs and children
I pinch myself to be sure I exist
A woman is singing
she plucks the strings of her guitar
The old man in the hat watches her
as he smokes his cigar
These walls have history
many tales of victories and defeat
My daughter dances on its ruins
My son explores the cobblestone in his bare feet
A castle that was fit for kings and queens
is surely fit for me
Zadar as the backdrop of our story
the cleansing from the deep blue sea
My heart belongs to this city
my family breathes its air
Wouldn't have it any other way
God has answered my prayer.
- Katarina Bučić
A mere 6 years ago my husband and myself visited Croatia together for the first time. His family being from the Zadar region, we planned on spending most of our time there. The two months we spent in Zadar would change the direction of our lives forever. The vitality we felt sparked a feeling in us we had not yet felt living in Canada. We knew once we returned to Canada from our trip that we would long for that same feeling and knew that Canada, as great as she is, could not provide that for us.
We spent years living our lives as a young family trying to survive in a Western world dreaming about that summer we spent in Croatia. We held onto so much nostalgia that when our daughter was born, we named her Zara, the former name of the city of Zadar. Little did we know that life would unfold in such a way that our Zara would be raised in Zadar. That I would give birth to our second child here and ironically, we also give birth to a second opportunity at life for ourselves.
Here we are, after 2 years of living in this beautiful country, thankful for our opportunity to move here. Every time our eyes meet the coastline, we take in a deep breath of that salt filled air. Every time we walk within the old city walls, we feel honor to walk in such ancient streets. Every time we awake and think of our lives here in magical Croatia, we have to pinch ourselves to be sure it isn't a dream, and if it really is all just a dream, please don't wake me up.
- Katarina Bučić
The Secret Gem
Old and new,
new and old
When does it begin
this story begging to be told
Ancient history
three millennia of war
Many lost in battle
hear their cries roar
This land
must have been mystical
For such men to die
for reasons mythical
Protected by God
driven by its people
In the midst of a hay stack
they have found the magic needle
Hrvatska, the secret gem
sought by many
Bearing the fruits of life
envy of its plenty
Ruin upon ruin
we climb its history
Taking for granted
all of her mystery
Who lay that stone
underneath your feet?
Do you have any idea of his gains,
of his absolute defeats?
Blood, sweat and tears
birthed these cities
No lack of story
endless synchronicities
Every man and woman
and child bind
Brought something here
left something behind
So, when you walk upon the stone
do not take for granted
Something new to you
is something deeply enchanted
Their energy lingers
those who built, those who defended
And those who carried on
far beyond comprehended.
- Katarina Bučić
When you visit Croatia as a tourist it is easy to get wrapped up in all the awe. At which beach will you swim today? Where are you going to wine and dine this evening? Are there any cool shows happening tonight? Only when I began to live like a local in Croatia did I really begin to become aware of my surroundings.
Every time I walk through an old city, I think about its history, all of the people who have shared these same streets with me. Who is the man who worked his hands to the bone chipping away at the stone that create these cobblestone streets? These walls that we now take photos along were built to protect, to keep its people in and its enemies out. These ports that we use as docking points to take us on scuba-diving excursions and island tours were once battle zones and for transport of goods to keep its people alive.
It is a very interesting perspective to keep in mind when exploring these historical places. Everything has been catered to the tourist’s convenience and experience, but all this architecture served a very different purpose at one point and not very long ago, might I add. When I explore Croatia, I am reminded why this secret gem was sought after for millennia. This is a country built out of love and purpose. Croatia recognizes its beauty and knows it is undoubtably magical. It is up to us to hold that same knowing and remember where she began and support where she is headed.
- Katarina Bučić
Sukošan
There is a little town along the sea
her beauty, she calls to me
The narrow streets lead me to her
she calls me softly, a sweet whisperer
The road breaks open and the view stuns me
a fishing town bordered by palm trees
The town wakes early, It’s people stroll the streets
stopping along the way to greet everyone they meet
Friendly chatter fills the air
in the moment, not thinking of elsewhere
Men carry their rods and undock their boats
women going to church in their fur coats
The smell of salt consumes the air, thick and tasteful
The cobblestone handled with care, never wasteful
The sun begins to shine, early risers already done their chores
Children’s voices heard as they bust through the doors
Families swinging in the parks, friends filling the cafés
Soaking in the sun, laughing away their days
This town has a place in my heart, I visit her often
when I’m feeling hard, I go to her to soften
She is full because of the people who consume her
they care for her with love and never misuse her
Surrounded by love she welcomes all wanderers
and fears not any conquerers
For she has stood strong for longer than you and I comprehend
a secret hidden just around the bend
The small city along the sea
her beauty, forever calls to me.
- Katarina Bučić
Neighboring the village I live in is the beautiful and quaint town of Sukošan. It is the closest town to us that is along the sea so naturally we visit her often. We spent many summers swimming on her beaches, drinking coffees in her cafes and strolling her streets at night. There are just some places that have a certain energy, a certain vibration that feels just right. For me, Sukošan is one of those places. The air is rich in salt, the locals are friendly, and the water is a healing hue of blue. My husband and I often say ”It's always sunny in Sukošan” because that is truly how it feels every time we are there. The sun is shining, the breeze is blowing and time stands still.
- Katarina Bučić
You can follow the fabulous work of Katarina on her website.
And if you want to hear Katarina recite her poetry, you can do so here in the video below, right after hearing her returnee story.
EURO 2024 Qualifiers: Croatia Gathers in Split, Dalić Talks Team Status ahead of Wales
March 20, 2023 - The Croatia national team gathers today in Split. Coach Zlatko Dalić announced the start of the EURO 2024 qualifiers.
Croatia opens the qualifiers on March 25 at home against Wales in Split, and three days later, they visit Bursa near Turkey.
"It's nice to get together after three months and wait for the new national team games. We have achieved magnificent results in the five and a half years of my mandate. It is much more than the set goals, and we are unaware of what we have done. In addition to what we have done, I have the energy, strength, and motivation to continue with the national team, together with the players, staff, and fans. Our goal, every goal, must be to qualify for a major competition that is realistic, and everything else is a success. New competitions are ahead of us; I have a motive. In addition to the results we must achieve, we need to change generations. We have potential and quality. I am aware that we have raised the bar, and the expectations are high, but we have to reduce it to reality, be calm and go game by game. Expectations need to be justified, and we have the quality to do so," said Zlatko Dalić to open the press conference.
He referred to the upcoming European Championship in 2024, which will be played in Germany, so many Croatia fans can be expected.
"A big competition awaits us, but we must qualify for the European Championship first. We have quality, but we must be careful and concentrate on avoiding making mistakes. It would be a big competition for us because it is in Germany, and there would be many of our fans, so it would be a big challenge. I was in Germany in 2006, in Berlin. There have never been more Croatia fans at one game," Dalić said.
Croatia is in Group D with Wales, Armenia, Turkey, and Latvia, and the two best teams will secure direct placement in the final tournament, which will be held in the summer of 2024 in Germany.
The coach claimed Croatia has never been stronger and more complete than it was in Russia.
"And now we have quality; we must put together the best possible team. We have better results at the World Cup than the Euros. We have quality, youth, and players coming up, but they can't do anything without the more experienced players. This is creating a new generation, and we must prepare for the future," said Dalić.
He commented on the current form of the players.
"We had many problems after the World Cup, but now the players are slowly returning. Brozović and Kovačić did not play for a long time, and neither did Kramarić. Now we will have five days together to try to do the best we can. The situation with the players may not be the best, but it can change, as we already know how to do," Dalić said.
Dalić once again repeated that expectations were raised very high, but one should be realistic. Finally, he commented on the condition of the players, including Bruno Petković, who was injured yesterday.
"Today, we will know the whole situation. Everyone should come. We have problems with the arrival of players, and some will not arrive due to force majeure. Petković had an MRI. He has an injury but will come, so we'll see. Ivušić is ill; he will not make it to training. Today we will have a lot of worries and discussions, but tomorrow we will be able to say more specifically," Dalić said.
He said that Luka Modrić's performance at the European Championship depends only on him and that he did not expect that he would be the coach for so long.
He also commented on the return of Torcida to the stadium for the Croatia matches.
"I constantly point out that the Croatia national team is a place of gathering and togetherness, which is what we strive for and work on. I'm glad to hear about the return of Torcida. We want the Boys, Kohorta, and Armada to come too. This is Croatia. This is our country, and we must support it. Everyone is welcome. It will be a great support for us. While I'm here, we will gather all Croats and fans," Dalić said.
After the Nations League in June, Croatia will continue their qualificationss with double programs in September (Latvia, Armenia), October (Turkey, Wales), and November (Latvia, Armenia).
"We are the favorites, but we must qualify for the European Championship and be serious. It can be tricky; initially, we have two of our competitors. Turkey is coming back, playing in their stadium, and has a motive. Croatia is a motivation for everyone because we are third in the world. If we are not serious, we will have problems," Dalić said.
He asserted that the tactics would not change much, and against Wales, we should beware of counters and semi-counters. He said it was important not to lose in Turkey and to win against Wales.
Dalić spoke about the selection of attackers and offensive players he has available, and first of all, about Marko Livaja, who will play at "his" Poljud.
"Marko Livaja is playing well, scored 17 goals, and is the top scorer in the league. Poljud is his, and he is at home. He feels very good there. He gave a lot to the national team, he scored a goal in Qatar, and I expect a lot from him," said Dalić and added:
"The position of striker and the right wing was withdrawn in Qatar. When I spoke about having strikers from HNL, you criticized me as if I did not appreciate and respect them. No, I appreciate and respect them. I meant to say they don't play at a certain level every weekend. A striker from Morocco or Davies from Canada plays against strong opponents weekly, but the same cannot be said for our strikers. They need more stimulation. We have quality. We mixed players in rush hour and on the right wing. We played Kramarić, Petković, Livaja... Pašalić or Vlašić on the wing. I'm not inclined to do that, but I don't have a permanent solution. I thought Brekalo would play in Fiorentina, but it didn't happen. We need a speedster. Everyone would play on the left with us, and we didn't have a strong one on the right, so we called Špikić, and he is our potential in the future. We called Musa, so now there's Beljo, then Ljubičić, then Šimić. We have to find another striker before the Euros. I did not write off Budimir because he is not good, but I want to see some other players. I invited Beljo and Musa to see them. We have solutions for the right wing," Dalić said.
Mislav Oršić is not playing for Southampton...
"I feel sorry for Orša, he is not part of the club, but I don't want to lose him. I said that about Vlašić before. He is not fit now, but I want to give him a chance to try to come back. If he doesn't constantly play in his club, he won't be able to play for the national team either," Dalić said.
Finally, he praised Josip Stanišić for his performances with Bayern and the national team.
Source: HRT
Developing Love-Hate Relationship with Quintessentially Croatian Skill of “Getting By”
March 20, 2023 - Swapping life in New Zealand for Croatia brings some changes. We are delighted to welcome Silvia Vidovic to TCN, writing contributor number 188 since we started 8 years ago. If you would like to contribute a piece about the Croatia where you are, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Subject Writing.
As a little girl growing up in New Zealand, the one thing I remember most is the taste of freedom. Bare feet, wild, sandy beaches, tramping through lush silver fern forests, driving for kilometres without anything or anyone in sight....and sheep, lots of them! School was a very relaxed affair, and also often included sheep - visiting sheep farms was a ritual that almost had a religious significance, and sometimes the sheep even came to us. We had no homework, no grades and spent a lot of time doing practical things - sailing, swimming, tying knots and lighting fires. Another ritual was pitching tents in the school lawn and having a sleepover together as a form of community bonding - first the parents held a sausage sizzle, and then, when it got dark, we sang songs around the campfire while our teacher played guitar. As a gifted child, I highly appreciated the free-flowing, casual structure of the New Zealand school system. It further stimulated my natural curiosity by allowing me to do my own thing, and I spent a lot of time alone, lying on the pillows in the reading corner, leafing through books and daydreaming away. The possibilities offered by the new technology that had just been invented - the internet - almost drove me mad with excitement. Just thinking about how many books could fit onto one tiny CD was enough to make me sigh in reverent, nearly pious awe, let alone imagining all the knowledge that was now at my fingertips!
And then I came to Croatia. Gone were the bare feet, the free-form classes that seemed to be changing every second, the endless sitting on floors and lawns. Suddenly, I found myself behind a rickety, ancient-looking wooden desk which looked exactly like the one I had seen at a museum in Auckland, where they had set up a model of a classroom from the Victorian era. Then they showed me the library, and I was genuinely confused and asked them to show me where the real library was, as it looked like yet another exhibit from a museum. Instead of just carrying a lunchbox and change of clothes in by school bag, as I was used to, suddenly I found myself lugging a bunch of books with names that sounded as heavy as they felt on my poor back. Udžbenik. Vježbenica. They were massive and forbidding, like a piano falling down the stairs, and they were full of boring, dry sentences that we had to learn by heart if we wanted to pass the constant tests that we were given. Soon, I realised that rote learning was the order of the day here in this strange new land, and I didn’t like it one bit. I wanted creativity, exploration and freedom, the thrill of the pursuit of knowledge, but there was none of that in my new school. And so my hitherto unquenchable thirst for knowledge started to wilt and wither, and a new skill started developing in its place - the quintessentially Croatian skill of “snalaziti se” - getting by.
In my case, that meant doing the absolute bare minimum, in order to preserve my energy for pursuits I deemed worthwhile. As a child, I had grown up with an unwavering faith in the system, and a sense of fairness and justice was inculcated deep in my bones - any type of cheating was unfathomable to me. Yet, very soon, I learnt to set aside my inhibitions in order to copy homework, cheat on tests...anything that was necessary to get by. I got through secondary school and university without barely touching a book, relying on charm, wit, natural intelligence and this new, seductive skill of getting by. Soon I observed that a similar slipperiness pervaded many aspects of Croatian life - everyone always seemed to be looking out for number one, and how to cheat the system in their favour. Now, since then I have turned into a Croatian patriot of sorts - I have developed a deep affection for the country that seemed so rigid and museum-like at first, and can’t imagine living anywhere else - but this is an aspect I still haven’t come completely to terms with. I have developed a healthy distrust of the system and learnt to get by when it is necessary to save my own soul, but this pervasive mentality of “screw the system before it screws you” is something that still makes me feel uneasy.
Many times, I found myself in situations where I would put in extra effort to rectify something in a business situation that wasn’t my responsibility at all. And then I would regularly be met by surprise - “Why, it’s not your job, what do you care?”. But, how can I not care if we’re all part of the same team, and our success depends on each other and the work we do? Again, this “getting by” mentality, mixed with the vestiges of socialism - I’ll just do the bare minimum, what I am paid for and not one lipa (or cent) more, and the rest is none of my concern, even if it affects me directly. I find it funny how Croatia is often collectivist in a tribal, nationalistic sense, in “counting blood cells”, as they often say - yet, on the other hand, it is often lacking in other, healthier forms of collectivism. For example, the one where we say - “OK, we’re all in this together and we depend on each other to succeed, so let’s see what we can do to make all of our lives better”. Naturally, this is a mentality that can’t easily take hold in a country where corruption and bribery are expected in almost every affair, and thus it is a natural instinct to just shrug in resignation and try to grab your own piece of the pie. Perhaps this would be the greatest mentality shift in Croatia, one that would revolutionise all areas of life - a transition from “getting by” to “getting (it) together”. A patriotism that is not about football, war veterans and waving chequered flags, but a patriotism rooted in working together for a shared cause and towards a better future, so that all of us that have found ourselves within the boundaries of this dragon-shaped land may benefit - not just those that were the quickest at “getting by”. This oh-so-quintesentially Croatian predilection for “getting by” is both a blessing and a curse, something I have come to love and hate in equal parts. Sometimes, it is good to cut corners and not trust the system - to save your own skin (and nerves!), if nothing. However, other times, it is the weight around the ankle limiting the growth of a country that has the potential for so much more.
Fine Imposed for Attempt to Bring Meat, Cigarettes Across Croatian Border
March the 20th, 2023 - A fine of 1650 euros has been issued by the authorities to an individual for attempting to bring 7.5 kg of dried meat and 34 packets of cigarettes across the Croatian border at Stara Gradiska.
As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, despite Croatia having joined the borderless, passport free Schengen zone on the first day of 2023, there are still very clear rules about what can and cannot be transferred across the borders of the European Union (EU).
One good example would be the transfer of fresh meat, dried meat and dairy products, as well as fruits and vegetables, all of which is very strictly prohibited. Despite this, plenty of people either don't know or simply don't bother to look at or adhere to these rules, and if they're caught, they need to pay hefty fines, as reported by GP Maljevac.
At the Croatian border, more specifically at the Stara Gradiska border crossing, one passenger wanted to transport 7.5 kilograms of dried meat and 34 packs of cigarettes from Bosnia and Herzegovina, a neighbouring non-EEA/EU, non Schengen zone country, into the Republic of Croatia.
None of the aforementioned products were declared to the customs officer as they should have been, meaning that everything was confiscated from the individual in question, and they also had to pay a hefty fine of 1,650 euros.
If the fine isn't paid on time, it will be replaced by imprisonment. The import of up to 20 kg of fish, shellfish and fish products, up to 2 kg of milk powder for babies, baby food and special needs food, up to 2 kg of pet food, up to 2 kg of other food such as honey, live shellfish and snails and up to 125 grams of caviar or other products of protected species are allowed to be transported across the Croatian border. Two packs of cigarettes and one litre of alcohol are also allowed.
For more, check out our dedicated news section.
Consultant Reveals The Biggest Grey Zone in Croatian Tourism
March the 20th, 2023 - What's the biggest grey zone in Croatian tourism? A consultant for private accommodation reveals more as illegal rental properties are still very much ''a thing'' across the country despite crackdowns over more recent years.
As Marija Crnjak/Poslovni Dnevnik writes, Croatia isn't yet moving in the direction of new taxation placed on private accommodation facilities, although it will strengthen the control of illegal rentals within the framework of an initiative that is still being developed at the level of the European Union (EU). In the meantime, a new analysis of that accommodation segment is currently expected, which the Institute for Tourism is preparing for the Croatian Tourist Board (CNTB).
The analysis will be finished in May and will be the basis for new branding and promotion of private accommodation,'' explained CNTB director Kristjan Stanicic at the Family Accommodation Forum held on Saturday in Zagreb, organised by the Croatian Chamber of Commerce (HGK) and the CNTB.
Current figures say that more than 106,000 households are engaged in renting to tourists, and more than 600,000 beds have been registered. This accounts for about 60 percent of the total accommodation in Croatian tourism. Private accommodation/household facilities enjoyed 47 million overnight stays last year, slightly less than half of the total number of overnight stays realised in the country. At the same time, this is the segment of accommodation that has the shortest season, with just 15 percent annual occupancy.
"For as long as there aren't enough hotels in Croatia, in which we're two to three times behind the rest of our competition across the Mediterranean, family/private accommodation will play a very important role in the whole Croatian tourism offer,'' said HGK's Vice President for Agriculture and Tourism, Dragan Kovacevic, pointing out that it would be important to classify the offer of accommodation within the Croatian tourism offer, to divide things up in a better way.
"Renting is not only unfair competition to private and other registered accommodation, but also puts additional pressure on communal and other infrastructure, without the benefits paid by the households that are doing this," says Kovacevic.
Monika Udovicic from the Ministry of Tourism pointed out that the Tourism Strategy until the year 2030 foresees the modernisation of the categorisation of all tourist accommodation, including private accommodation. Admittedly, only 25 private landlords applied for the tender from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NPOO), which shows the extremely low interest of this sector in entering into more serious entrepreneurial waters.
Private accommodation consultant Nedo Pinezic pointed out that for most renters this is their second income, and they pay tax on their first income because they are either employed somewhere or have their own businesses. With other income from their properties and their property rights, we have a form of income where housing is also concerned, and when we talk about tax reform, this whole group is affected.
''We want to see what sort of direction this is going to go in,'' said Pinezic, warning that there should be better regulations for non-commercial accommodation with around 300,000 facilities where owners and their families and friends occasionally stay, without paying for each night, and fees paid by those who are registered to rent to tourists.
For more, check out our news section.
