Dinamo once again qualifies for the Champions league!

Stadium Ljudski vrt, Maribor, Slovenia, 28.8.2012.

Champions league, play-off, second leg (First leg: GNK Dinamo - NK Maribor 2:1)

NK Maribor - GNK Dinamo 0:1 (0:1)

Referees: David Fernández Borbalán, Raúl Cabanero Martínez, Jesús Calvo Guadamuro, José Miranda, César Muñiz Fernández, Javier Estrada Fernandez  (all Spain)

Spectators: 12.500

Maribor: Handanovič - Mejač, Rajčević, Arghus, Milec - Filipovič (46. Mezga), Mertelj - Ibraimi (70. Komazec), Cvijanovič, Tavares - Berić

Dinamo: Kelava - Vida, Tonel, Šimunić, Pivarić - Ademi (46. Leko), Badelj - Ibanez, Sammir (83. Krstanović), Čop - Beqiraj (46. Calello)

Yellow cards: Handanovič (12), Tavares (85.) / Ademi (15.), Badelj (36.), Vida (71.)

Red card: Arghus (85.)

Scorer: 0:1 Tonel (12.)

For the second successive season - Dinamo will play in the Champions league! After an away victory in Maribor and the 3:1 win on aggregate Croatian champions qualified for the group stage of the Champions league.

Dinamo came to Maribor with a 2:1 advantage from Maksimir but Modri once again proved that they are a better team and got another victory. Coach Čačić and the players said before the game that they will look for the victory in Maribor and play like they didn't come to Slovenia with an advantage. From the first minute of the game, they proved that on the pitch.

Dinamo controlled the game, Badelj and Ademi dominated the midfield while Ibanez, Sammir and Čop created several chances before Modri took the lead. Handanovič saved Čop's attempt but only to gave Dinamo a corner after which Tonel scored the, what proved to be, only goal of the game. Sammir made a cross, Čop saved the ball on the far post and returned it to the box where Tonel placed it to the net.

Modri continued to dominate the game and scored another goal in the extra time but it was ruled out because Beqiraj rushed a little and was in offside.

At the start of the second half, coach Čačić made couple of subs so Calello and Leko entered the game to strengthen the midfield but it was Maribor who had the upper hand in the first 15-20 minutes. Then again, ball possession didn't mean the home team actually had any real chances. Maribor managed to put couple of crosses and long shots but Kelava was concentrated.

As the game went on, Maribor pushed more and more so there was a lot of space behind their backs which opened a great chance for Sammir. It was in the 66. minute when our midfielder escaped home defense and went one on one with Handanovič but he decided for a lob which ended in goalkeeper's hands. Six minutes from time, Čop raced down the left side, Arghus brought him down and earned a straight red card what meant - game over.

With a 3:1 on aggregate and for the second successive season Dinamo did a fantastic job and qualified for the Champions league.