Hamilton Croatia

Hamilton Croatia

Full name	Hamilton Croatia
Founded	1957
League	HDSL Premier Division
Home colours Away colours

Hamilton Croatia is a Croatian Canadian amateur soccer team founded in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada in 1957. It is supported by the Croatian Sports and Community Centre of Hamilton Inc. (formerly the Croatian National Sports Club of Hamilton, Inc.).

The team plays in the Hamilton & District Premier Soccer League's Elite Division.

Hamilton Croatia also competes annually in such competitions as the Ontario Cup, various League Cups, the Hamilton Spectator Cup, and the Croatian National Soccer Federation's North American Tournament held every Labour Day weekend at sites across Canada and the United States.

In September of 2011, Hamilton Croatia hosted the 48th Annual Croatian National Soccer Federation of Canada & U.S.A’s Men’s Soccer Tournament. It was widely considered the most successful tournament in recent years.

History

In its opening match in 1957, Hamilton Croatia defeated Hamilton Sparta 2-1, with Pavle Usenica scoring the first-ever goal in club history.

Throughout its history Hamilton Croatia has hosted international friendly matches with Croatian club teams such as 1967 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup winners Dinamo Zagreb, NK Medjugorje, NK Croatia Brihovo, NK Vukovar '91, NK Karlovac, HSK Zrinjski Mostar, as well as Vasas Budapest SC, one of Hungary's major sports clubs.

Some notable Croatian players to have worn a Hamilton Croatia jersey were Zeljko Adzic, Slavko Cetina, Vlado Crnjak, Berislav Krilic, Stjepan Loparic, Vlado Palijan, Ivica Tankovic, and Nediljko Simic. Notable non-Croat players include 1976 Canadian Olympians Kevin Grant and Olympic team captain Jimmy Douglas, as well as former United Soccer Leagues First Division All-Star Jamie Dodds.

Hamilton Croatia was a professional team from 1970-to-1976 when they played in the National Soccer League, the high point being in 1970 when the club was crowned champions of Canada.

On January 22, 2010 it was announced that Hamilton Croatia would return to professional soccer by joining the Canadian Soccer League for the 2010 season.

In 2010 the team led the CSL in fan support, finished the regular season in third place, and made it to the CSL Playoff Final where they eventually lost to the Brantford Galaxy SC at Centennial Park Stadium in Etobicoke on October 31, 2010.

After their one successful season it was announced on February 11, 2011 that the club's executive board decided to withdraw from the league.

Past Achievements

References and External links

• Hamilton Croatia Official Site
• 48th CNSF Tournament
• Croatian National Soccer Federation of Canada and USA