The 54th Kutija Šibica edition launches Saturday with a record 286 teams and an unprecedented prize pool, solidifying its status as Croatia’s premier small-sided football spectacle.
Seniors feature 184 teams (up 4 from last year), veterans 86 (up 2), and women 16 (down 2), totaling a staggering 286 squads—proof of the tournament’s enduring magic. Defending champions include Naturavita (seniors), Senjak hoteli (veterans, formerly Senjak CER hotel Orijent Matan), and ŽNK Dinamo Zagreb (women). Notably, 15 last-year’s round-of-16 teams return, blending legends with fresh challengers.
Matches kick off November 22 at SD Sutinska vrela, expanding November 23 to ŠCD Peščenica, then across ŠCD Dubrava, ŠCD Boško Božić-Pepsi, and ŠCD Peščenica. The knockout climax runs December 15-30 at KC Dražen Petrović, with quarterfinals, semis, and finals drawing massive crowds. Play formats: 5 field players + goalie for seniors/veterans; 4 + goalie for women.
Velimir Čarapina, competition commissioner for ZNS (with Ivica Modrić on refereeing and Marko Jularić leading), expressed delight:
Small-sided football fans eagerly await each Kutija—the interest remains huge. We’re thrilled.
His brother Josip coaches a senior team. Čarapina lamented skipping Štefanj quarterfinals at Dom sportova but predicted strong attendance regardless.
A record 40,000-euro fund fuels the excitement in this half-century Zagreb tradition, promising thrilling action and vibrant atmospheres across venues.
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