AGP Executive Report

UEFA Nations League: Spain booked the quarter-finals by rallying to beat Croatia 2-1 in Split, with Mikel Merino scoring twice after Ivan Perišić’s early opener; the win extended La Roja’s unbeaten run to 42 matches. UEFA Nations League: England also moved closer to the knockout stage, crushing Czechia 3-0 at Wembley as Harry Kane marked his record-equalling 125th cap with two goals, taking his England tally to 91. Croatia-England focus: Croatia’s response came after a brutal 7-0 loss to England, but Spain’s second-half surge proved decisive, while England’s momentum under Thomas Tuchel continues to build. Sports beyond football: San Diego State advanced in NCAA eligibility after another European pro was cleared, but the bigger concern is injuries as the season approaches. EU politics: A European Parliament official warned MEP attendance is slipping, sparking debate in Strasbourg about changing work habits and generational gaps.

UEFA Nations League (Croatia–Spain): Croatia host Spain at Poljud in Split tonight (7:45pm UK/7:45pm BST), with Slaven Bilić trying to bounce back after the 7-0 England rout and last week’s 4-1 loss to La Roja. Spain arrive top of the group on nine points, and coach Luis de la Fuente says he’s closely monitoring Lamine Yamal’s minutes after the Barcelona star’s rapid scoring run. UEFA Nations League (England–Czechia): At Wembley, Harry Kane leads England against Czechia, set to equal Peter Shilton’s 125-cap record; Thomas Tuchel makes four changes from the Croatia 7-0. Croatia Airlines–HNS deal: Croatia Airlines will stay the official airline of the Croatian Football Federation and national team for two more years, extending a partnership dating back to 2018. Rijeka trade milestone: Adriatic Gate Container Terminal at the Port of Rijeka has reached 4 million TEUs since joining ICTSI in 2011, underscoring Rijeka’s role as an Adriatic gateway. Local mobility: Croatia proposes registration, insurance and checks for electric scooters, as Zagreb prepares for tram payment and ticket inspection changes in 2027.

Croatia–Spain Nations League: Luka Modrić says Croatia needs fans to back them after the 7-0 England humiliation as Slaven Bilić’s side hosts world champions Spain in Split, with Spain aiming to clinch a quarter-final spot and Lamine Yamal again in the spotlight. England–Czechia Nations League: Harry Kane is set to equal England’s appearance record with his 125th cap at Wembley, building on Saturday’s 7-0 win over Croatia, while England look to keep pressure on Spain in Group 3. Zagreb & Croatia transport: Zagreb’s Maksimir Park is set to welcome back an electric tourist train after decades, adding to the city’s push for better mobility and visitor experiences. Croatia economy & housing: Croatia’s inflation and housing costs remain in focus, with new data showing owner-occupied housing price pressures across the EU—Croatia among the highest movers. Sports beyond football: Novak Djokovic reaches the China Open final after Daniil Medvedev was defaulted for hitting a spectator with a ball; in tennis, Iga Swiatek also advances after a comeback vs Donna Vekic.

Croatia-EU Energy: Croatia is gearing up for cleaner urban heating with four new deep geothermal wells planned in Velika Gorica, Osijek, Vinkovci and Zaprešić, in a €35.15m project aimed at creating production-injection pairs to cut fossil fuel dependence. Zagreb City Life: An electric tourist train has returned to Zagreb’s Maksimir Park, running along the main avenue for families and children, with a €3 ticket and seasonal audio guides. Croatia Football: Luka Modrić says he hopes fans back Croatia against Spain after the team’s “catastrophic” 7-0 Nations League loss to England, insisting the defeat was about “the way we lost,” not losing itself. England vs Czechia (Kane milestone): Harry Kane is set to equal Peter Shilton’s England appearance record with his 125th cap against the Czech Republic at Wembley, building on his two-goal haul vs Croatia. Tennis (Croatia in spotlight): Iga Swiatek reached the China Open last 16 after a comeback win over Croatia’s Donna Vekic, while Zheng Qinwen also survived another three-set match in Beijing.

England–Croatia Shock Result: Thomas Tuchel hailed England’s “complete” 7-0 Nations League demolition of Croatia in Rijeka, with Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka scoring twice, Jude Bellingham adding a goal and three assists, and Anthony Gordon plus Morgan Rogers also netting. Croatia Reaction: Luka Modrić said he felt “ashamed” for the first time in 20 years, calling it a “catastrophic night” and blaming a lack of duels, aggressiveness and togetherness. Squad Shake-up: Tuchel told reporters Declan Rice faces competition after Alex Scott’s standout midfield start, while Rico Lewis was called up for the next match vs Czechia. Bosnia Politics: Preliminary results from Bosnia and Herzegovina’s election point to Milorad Dodik’s SNSD leading in Republika Srpska and ethnic parties dominating, with turnout reported around 42%. Croatia in the Spotlight: A sand art festival drew attention in the Neretva River estuary, and ticket guides circulated for upcoming Croatia Nations League games.

Croatia–England Shock: Luka Modrić said Croatia “looked like we had four or five players less” after England’s historic 7-0 Nations League rout in Rijeka, calling it a “catastrophic night” and admitting he felt “ashamed” for the first time in 20 years. England’s Turnaround: Thomas Tuchel hailed a “complete performance” as Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka scored twice each, with Jude Bellingham adding a goal and three assists; Tuchel also warned Declan Rice faces midfield competition after Alex Scott’s standout start. Ballon d’Or Buzz: Bayern and Croatia defender Josip Stanišić backed Harry Kane to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or, while the wider debate around the award continues amid England’s surge. Transfer Watch (Croatia-linked): Chelsea are reported to be leading the race for England midfielder Alex Scott, with Arsenal and Liverpool also interested. Regional Politics: Bosnia and Herzegovina held general elections with 3.4 million registered voters choosing a new presidency and lawmakers. EU Economy: Eurozone inflation rose to 3.8% in September, with Croatia at 4.3%.

UEFA Nations League Shock in Rijeka: England crushed Croatia 7-0 as Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka scored twice each, with Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon and Morgan Rogers also on the scoresheet; Croatia captain Luka Modrić said it was the first time in 20 years he felt “ashamed” after a match with “no duels, no aggression, no fouls, no unity.” England’s Bounce-Back Story: Coach Thomas Tuchel called the rout a “complete performance” and said it helps England move on from World Cup heartbreak, with the team firing on all cylinders in front of a subdued crowd of schoolchildren after UEFA’s stadium ban. Spain Keep Rolling: Spain beat Czechia 3-1 with Lamine Yamal scoring early again, Rodri and Mikel Merino adding goals, extending Spain’s unbeaten run to 41 and keeping them top of Group A3. Croatia’s Next Challenge: Slaven Bilić admitted the team “did not expect this could happen,” while Spain’s Luis de la Fuente warned Croatia will arrive “stung” and highly motivated after conceding seven.

Nations League Shock in Rijeka: England absolutely dismantled Croatia 7-0 in the UEFA Nations League, with Harry Kane scoring twice, Bukayo Saka netting two, and Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon and Morgan Rogers adding to the rout. The match was played behind closed doors for home fans due to UEFA sanctions after Croatia supporters’ racist conduct in 2025, but thousands of local schoolchildren were allowed in—turning the atmosphere from noisy to stunned as the goals kept coming. Croatia Coaching Change: The result landed with extra sting for Croatia under Slaven Bilić, after former coach Zlatko Dalić had recently moved on to lead the UAE. EU Budget Push: Separately, 17 EU leaders—including Croatia—urged the Irish EU presidency to protect farm and cohesion funding, warning that cuts would weaken the bloc’s core policies.

Croatia–Armenia Healthcare Reform: Croatia’s Health Minister Irena Hrstić met Armenia’s PM Nikol Pashinyan in Yerevan to discuss EU-backed healthcare reforms, including universal health insurance, digital health and prevention, under a €1.5m Croatia–Slovenia Twinning project. Nations League in Rijeka (Behind Closed Doors): England visit Croatia in Rijeka with the match played without fans after UEFA sanctions, as Thomas Tuchel’s side looks to build on a clean sheet vs Czechia; Croatia’s Slaven Bilić takes charge again, with Luka Modrić left out of the last match. Manchester City Financial Scandal Fallout: The FA says it’s “carefully considering” the Manchester City guilty verdict over Premier League financial rules, while City has lodged an appeal; Tuchel says it’s a “big topic” in camp and won’t rule out selecting City players even if relegated. Local Environment Concern: A study on PFAS “forever chemicals” finds Croatian participants with high levels, with a Gospić lawyer reporting the highest results among those tested. Inflation Watch: PM Andrej Plenković says government measures prevented inflation from being about 7% (DZS reports 4.7% in September). Zadar Air Connectivity: Winter flights to Munich are confirmed, with talks for further year-round routes to Paris, London or Venice. Sports Spotlight: India’s Sujeet Kalkal won Asian Games wrestling gold after a dramatic comeback, overturning a 2–9 deficit.

Croatia-EU Politics: President Zoran Milanović urged Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina to vote in the upcoming elections to elect “true representatives,” arguing Croats have lacked a legitimate Presidency member since 2018. EU Migration: EU ministers in Luxembourg approved tougher migration rules aimed at faster returns, including broader penalties, longer entry bans, and “return hubs” outside the EU. Zagreb & Infrastructure: Zagreb opened the rebuilt Sarajevska Road, a new six-lane southern entrance with pedestrian and cycling paths, noise barriers, and plans for a future tram line. Croatia Economy: Croatia’s inflation hit 4.7% in September, with energy prices up 20.5%. Port of Rijeka Trade: Adriatic Gate Container Terminal (ICTSI) reached 4 million TEUs, strengthening Rijeka’s role as an Adriatic gateway. Sports—Croatia vs England: England coach Thomas Tuchel said Manchester City’s financial-rule verdict is a “big topic” in camp, while goalkeeper Jordan Pickford described using a mind coach and returning to start vs Croatia in Rijeka; meanwhile, Spain’s Ferran Torres withdrew with an ankle issue and was replaced by Carlos Espí. Croatia-Montenegro: Croatia is demanding over €2.4bn in military property from Montenegro over Yugoslavia-era assets, with talks set for Oct. 9.

Croatia-England Behind Closed Doors (with kids inside): UEFA’s punishment means the Rijeka Nations League clash will be played without regular fans, but Croatia’s federation plans to fill the stands with about 3,000 schoolchildren under UEFA rules. Croatia Football & Transfers: Dani Olmo’s adviser says the Barcelona star wants to finish his career at Dinamo Zagreb and even dreams of starting his coaching there; separately, Spain’s Nico Williams has withdrawn from the squad with a left-thigh injury after scoring vs Croatia. EU Legal Pressure: The European Commission has referred Bulgaria to the EU’s top court in two infringement cases and is taking action in four others. Housing Watch: Eurostat data shows EU house prices up 4.7% and rents up 3.0% year-on-year in Q2 2026, with Croatia rents rising sharply (+22.1%). Local Business/Finance: Hrvatski Telekom secured a €40m loan from Deutsche Telekom to refinance. Sports (Zagreb ties): Croatia’s Petar Klovar won gold at the AIDA Depth World Championships in Cyprus.

Croatia–China Connectivity: Zagreb’s tourism chief says the new Air China direct Beijing–Zagreb link is already paying off, with September arrivals up 7% and overnight stays up 8% for Chinese visitors, opening doors for business and cultural exchanges. Behind-Closed-Doors Football: Croatia’s Nations League clash with England in Rijeka will be 75% full thanks to schoolchildren invited under UEFA rules, while regular fans are banned; England will have 100 supporters. England Injury Update: England left-back Nico O’Reilly has withdrawn from the rest of the Nations League matches due to injury, returning to Manchester City for assessment; no replacements are planned. Croatian Telecom Finance: Hrvatski Telekom signed a €40m loan with Deutsche Telekom to refinance an earlier debt. Local Culture & Lifestyle: BioMania Zagreb, a 100% plant-based restaurant, was named among Tripadvisor’s top 10 vegan/vegetarian spots worldwide. Sports Spotlight: Thomas Tuchel says replacing Harry Kane could take up to 10 years, while Spain’s Nico Williams left camp with a thigh injury after scoring vs Croatia.

Zagreb Transit Strike Ends: Zagreb Mayor Tomislav Tomašević says ZET and Zagreb Holding workers who struck won’t be paid for the time off, after the County Court declared the strike illegal and ordered it stopped; trams and buses are back to regular timetables and Čistoća resumed normal waste collection. Rail Upgrade Push: Transport Minister Oleg Butković announced signing of the biggest Croatian Railways contract yet—nearly €900m for reconstruction and a second track on the Dugo Selo–Novska line (83 km), with an Indian firm winning the tender. Tourism Numbers Keep Climbing: Croatia logged record foreign-tourist revenue of €4.59bn in 2026 H1, up nearly 5% year-on-year, while domestic arrivals and overnight stays also rose. Split Airport Gets Art: A new St. Jerome exhibition opened at Split Airport, featuring works by 24 Croatian painters and sculptors from the Marjan art colony. Football Spotlight: Spain crushed Croatia 4-1 in Nations League action as Lamine Yamal scored twice and set up another goal.

Zagreb Transit: Zagreb Mayor Tomislav Tomašević says public services should resume after the Zagreb County Court ruled the ZET and Zagreb Holding strikes illegal; Čistoća waste collection has ended its strike and trucks are back on the streets, with the mayor stressing minimum essential services must be maintained. Croatian Economy & Tourism: Croatia’s foreign-tourist revenue rose nearly 5% year-on-year to €4.59bn in 2026 H1, while domestic tourism hit record levels with 1.5m arrivals and 4.2m overnight stays. Tech & Business: HCLSoftware plans to acquire Zagreb-based Robotiq.ai to expand AI-driven automation, integrating its RPA tech into HCL’s agent platform. Commemorative Coin: Croatia’s National Bank issued a new €2 commemorative coin featuring Vukovar, with pre-registration open until Oct 5. Football (Zagreb-linked): Spain beat Croatia 4-1 in the Nations League as Lamine Yamal starred, while England bounced back 2-0 vs Czechia with Gordon and Kane on target.

Croatia in Focus (EU & local life): Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman took part in a Toronto conference on returning Ukrainian children and detainees, stressing that the humanitarian side of Russia’s war must stay central and highlighting Croatia’s experience with missing persons and separated families. EU Watch: The EU is facing fresh criticism over data-center transparency after officials said data on energy and water use is incomplete, with an EU energy chief warning that big power consumers could undermine climate targets if oversight is weak. Tech in Zagreb: Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi visited Zagreb’s Rimac Campus and rode Rimac’s robotaxi without a safety driver, as Uber and Verne continue pushing autonomous taxi plans. Health (Zagreb angle): A new study backs a nasal spray combo for fast pain relief in kids in ERs, with University Hospital Merkur in Zagreb cited for noting mild side effects. Sports (Zagreb readers): Spain thrashed Croatia 4-1 in the Nations League as Lamine Yamal scored twice; England beat 10-man Czechia 2-0 with Gordon and Kane.

UEFA Nations League (Zagreb angle): Spain hosted Croatia in the Nations League with line-ups confirmed and Modrić left out of Bilic’s XI; Spain started Unai Simón with Yamal and Oyarzabal in attack, while Croatia’s midfield featured Kovačić and Pašalić and Perišić behind Misic and Beljo. England in Prague: Thomas Tuchel named England’s XI for Czechia—James Trafford in goal, Alexander-Arnold back, and Bellingham on the bench—while injuries keep Ezri Konsa and Nico O’Reilly out and Declan Rice and Marcus Rashford absent. Nord Stream asylum: Ukrainian suspect Volodymyr Zhuravliov has applied for political asylum in Croatia, arguing he won’t get a fair trial in Germany, though the extradition process is not automatically stopped. Tech & transport: Tesla says FSD Supervised has been approved in Croatia, making it the eighth European country to clear the driver-assistance system. Tourism (inland Croatia): Wellovar, a €42m geothermal thermal complex in Bjelovar, officially opened with 10 pools and an Olympic 50m facility.