The Maksimir footballers played romantic football that season, drawing applause from supporters and finishing the season with a then-record 21-point advantage over second-placed Hajduk. On that journey, they also claimed victory in one match by a 3-0 "walkover". Such was the decision made "at the green table" following a match that referee Darko Cvitković abandoned in the 73rd minute. Hrvatski Dragovoljac were playing as hosts in Velika Gorica at the time, where they hosted the then-named Croatia, and the score was 0-0 right up until the moment of abandonment. Igor Cvitanović ran into the penalty area in the 72nd minute, fell after a challenge with an opponent, and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Earlier in the first half, Elvis Margeta had tripped Silvijo Marić in his own box, but Cvitković had turned a blind eye to the hosts on that occasion. However, in the 72nd minute he did point to the penalty spot, which infuriated the home player Robert Lončar, who physically attacked the referee and knocked out his tooth with a blow to the head. The match was later registered as a 3-0 w.o. victory for the blues. Interestingly, Hrvatski Dragovoljac finished this season in third place in the league table.