NK Slaven Belupo vs Sesvete

Slaven Belupo needed just two minutes to open the scoring. Ryoya Išasegi, the Japanese full-back, delivered a cross from the right and Lovro Banovec rose above his marker to head the ball in off the crossbar. It was the 24-year-old's fourth goal of pre-season and a sign of what was to come.

Sesvete, a Prva NL side that pushed for promotion last season, struggled to contain the home side. The second goal arrived in the 39th minute — again from the right flank. Mitrović turned provider, crossing for Nestorovski to finish from close range.

Three minutes later, Mitrović got his own name on the scoresheet, collecting the ball on the right and unleashing a powerful shot that found the net via the post. All three first-half goals originated from the right side of attack.

Sesvete's task became even harder in the 62nd minute when they were reduced to ten men. The visitors had their best chance moments earlier, striking the woodwork, but the red card effectively ended any hope of a comeback.

Nestorovski completed his brace in the 74th minute, finishing after Matija Mažar had knocked the ball across goal from the right flank.

Mitrović's goal in the 42nd minute made it 3-0 just before half-time, effectively ending the contest. The quick double — Nestorovski in the 39th, Mitrović in the 42nd — turned a comfortable lead into a commanding one, forcing Sesvete to chase the game after the break. The red card in the 62nd minute only confirmed the pattern.

Ilija Nestorovski (2 goals, 39', 74') — The experienced Macedonian striker led the line effectively, scoring twice and linking play well. His movement caused constant problems for the Sesvete defence.

Domagoj Mitrović (1 goal, 1 assist, 42') — A constant threat on the right wing, Mitrović scored one and set up another. The 34-year-old showed he retains the quality to unlock defences in the final third.

Lovro Banovec (1 goal, 2') — The new signing from Vukovar 1991 opened the scoring inside two minutes and continued his impressive pre-season form. Banovec has settled quickly since arriving as a free agent.

Player of the match: Ilija Nestorovski

Slaven Belupo's 3-0 half-time lead reflected a first-half performance built on efficiency from wide areas. All three goals came from the right flank, highlighting a clear tactical pattern. The home side's intensity dipped after the break, as expected with wholesale substitutions, but they still managed a fourth. Sesvete's one clear chance — hitting the post — and the second-half red card underline a mismatch in quality between a HNL side and a second-tier opponent, though the scoreline accurately reflected the balance of play.

This was Slaven Belupo's eighth and final pre-season friendly of the summer. They will now turn their attention to the SuperSport HNL season opener against champions Dinamo Zagreb at Stadion Maksimir on 1 August 2026 (21:00 CEST). Gregurina used a starting XI that closely resembled the likely lineup for that fixture, including several new signings making their unofficial debuts.

Sesvete continue their own preparations for the Prva NL season, having finished fourth last term and battled for promotion until the final weeks.

A thoroughly professional pre-season finale from Slaven Belupo. The first-half performance was sharp, direct and well-executed, particularly down the right side. The test against Dinamo Zagreb at Maksimir will reveal where Gregurina's side truly stand ahead of the new campaign.