Hajduk veterans clinched the trophy with a convincing 5:0 final, while the event brought together numerous famous Split names in a fundraising effort for ailing family members from Mertojak.
Despite record-breaking summer temperatures that have hit Split these days, the Mertojak neighborhood played with full hearts on Thursday, August 13, 2026. At the small-sided football pitch of NK Dalmatinac, a humanitarian tournament was held, featuring four teams: HNK Hajduk veterans, the 4th Guards Brigade, NK Dalmatinac, and Split Stars Team.
The organizers were NK Dalmatinac members Robert Bošnjak and Ivan Brkić-Buco, with the goal of raising aid for ailing family members from Mertojak. The initiative was carried out in cooperation with the Parish of St. Joseph in Mertojak and parish priest don Vjenceslav Kojundžić, with support from the Mertojak City District Council, which included the tournament in the sports segment of the Cultural Summer in Mertojak program.
The tournament grew into a true gathering of sport, unity, and humanity. Many well-known Split residents attended, including Ivan Gudelj, Ivan Katalinić, Nikica Cukrov, Drago Ćelić, Mile Nižetić, Joško Španjić, Denis Putnik, Deni Lušić, Hari Rončević, Ivana Kovač, and Tonči Banov, who received the Personal Award of the City of Split this year. Some of them, like Drago Ćelić, Nikica Cukrov, Deni Lušić, and Hari Rončević, even played on the field as part of various teams. Also present at the opening were representatives of the county and city: Damir Gabrić, Kruno Jelinović, and Sanja Babić.
There was no shortage of competitive spirit on the field. In the first semifinal, Hajduk defeated the 4th Guards Brigade 4:0, while in the second, Dalmatinac edged out Split Stars Team 3:2. In the final, Hajduk once again showed their quality, beating NK Dalmatinac 5:0 and finishing the tournament without conceding a goal.
Playing for Hajduk were Goran Blažević, Ivan Đoni (three goals), Frane Bućan, Jurica Puljiz, Goran Milović (three goals), Marko Barišić (one), Hrvoje Vejić (one), Hrvoje Milić (one), Drago Ćelić, and Nikica Cukrov. The 4th Guards Brigade featured Jozo Puljiz, Zdravko Prkić, Petar Krivić, Kruno Jovanović, Mirko Jajčević, Petar Gabrilo, Jozo Čubić, and Hrvoje Višić. Split Stars Team included Neven Lučev, Deni Lušić, Leo Škaro, Božo Piteša, Branko Piteša, Bomba, Tiho Orlić, Hari Rončević, Tadija Mamić, Zlatko Nazlić (who scored two goals), Ivan Komić, and Branko Bosanac. Dalmatinac fielded Tino Brković, Vjeko Klain, Roko Vukić (one goal), Feđa Gulam, Ivan Brkić-Buco, Robert Bošnjak, Ivan Ponoš, Mirko Stipinović, Tiho Vrgoč, Fabijan Knezović, and Petar Rajčić.
The referees were Zoran Vrbatović and Ante Kosor, with Željko Marić serving as delegate and moderator.
The Cultural Summer in Mertojak program continues next week. On Monday, August 17, the children's theater play "What Will I Be When I Grow Up" by Duško Mucalo, performed by the Suncokret theater, is scheduled, while the following day, August 18, the theater troupe of Ivan Baranović will present the program "Rhythm of Play" and Ilija Zovko's monodrama "The Show."
