Dinamo Zagreb finishes UEFA Europa League group unbeaten

by croatiaweek
December 13, 2018
in Sport

ZAGREB, 13 December 2018 – Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb has finished unbeaten in UEFA Europa League Group D after a 0-0 draw against Belgium side Anderlecht on Thursday night in Zagreb.

Dinamo created more chances and deserved victory on the night but could not find a goal on a chilly Zagreb night in front of over 12,000 fans.

Dinamo has earned 13 million euros so far in their European campaign. They earned 9 million for qualifying for the Europa League via the Champions League qualifying rounds.

Each victory in the Europa League has brought the club 570,000 euros, with draws worth 190,000 euros. The Zagreb club also collected a million euros also for winning the group.

Dinamo secured their spot in the last 32 of the UEFA Europa League last month when they beat Slovakian side Spartak Trnava 3-1. This is the first time the club has advanced to the playoff stage of a European competition since 1970 when they reached the quarterfinals of the Cup Winners’ Cup.

Dinamo was dominant in Group D, winning their opening four matches in a row. First was a 4-1 thumping at home of Fenerbahce, before wins against Anderlecht (2-0) and home and away wins over Spartak Trnava (2-1, 3-1).

A 0-0 draw away to Fenerbahce last month followed by tonight’s draw means the Croatians finish unbeaten with 14 points.

The draw for the last 32 will be made on 17 December with the four best third-placed teams from the Champions League group stage joining the top two teams from each Europa League group in the draw.

The first legs of the playoffs will be played on 14 February, and the second legs will be played on 21 February 2019.