You'll find Croatia's largest stadium in capital Zagreb, to be precise in the eponymous area Maksimir, a little bit east from the city centre. It seems a little bit odd, because you don't see a running track and squared shape stands at the same time that often. Unfortunately, the result is that you sit quite far from the pitch in the stadium with over 35.000 seats, but still, the ultra's of Dinamo still managed to create a very hostile atmosphere. In 1990, the infamous 'kick that started the war' took place in Maksimir: During some of the worst riots former Yugoslavia had ever seen between fans of Dinamo Zagreb and Red Star Belgrade, Croatian football legend Zvonimir Boban landed a high kick on a policeman who - in his eyes - clearly defended the Red Star fans (Serbs) and attacked the Croats.

The home of Hajduk Split, in terms of success Croatia's second club, is just a little bit smaller than Maksimir: Stadion Poljud, counting nearly 34.000 places. A multifunctional stadium specially built for the Mediterranean Games of 1979. Poljud, which symbolizes a giant shell, is located on a beautiful spot near the Adriatic Sea. From some of the stands, you have a wonderful view over the breath taking bay of Split.

In the far north east of Croatia, NK Osijek plays in the Stadion Gradski vrt, which has place for 19.500 fans. That could have been more, because during the days of former Yugoslavia, there were plans to build a new stadium for 42.000 fans. From the original idea, only the current West Stand was realized, which makes it considerably larger than the rest of the ground. The octagonal ground with blue and white seats has a not so flattering nickname 'Jail', but there are plans to redevelop the whole into a nicer place. Construction is yet to be started.

No, the Stadion Branko Čavlović-Čavlek of NK Karlovac 1919 isn't quite the most special ground of Croatia, but due to its spacious design its in any case by capacity (12.000 places in total) one of the largest stadiums of the country. Not that Karlovac really needs it, because the team hasn't played in Croatia's top tier for many years now. By the way, sometimes the pitch is unplayable anyway, because when the nearby Korana river bursts its banks, you can't really reach the stadium.

NK Varaždin (also known as Varteks Varaždin) comes from the far north of Croatia, playing in the Stadion Varteks. By fans, it's also named ‘Stadion Anđelko Herjavec’ after a former chairman, but that's no official name. There's place for 10.800 fans on the mostly uncovered stands, which have seats in the club's blue and white colours.

To us it hurts a little, but the unique Stadion Kantrida of Rijeka is about to disappear. Due to its location - sandwiched between a cliff and the sea, the stadium is very popular to stadium enthusiasts. But it's outdated as well, what made HNK Rijeka move to another, temporary ground in the city. They will be back, but not before a brand new stadium with covered stands has appeared. The new plans take away the simply breath taking views over the Adriatic Sea, simply criminal if you ask us.