NK Tomislav delivered one of the most emphatic friendly results of the pre‑season schedule by demolishing NK Novi Travnik 12-1 in an international club friendly played on 26 July 2026. The stadium in Tomislavgrad witnessed a masterclass in attacking football as the home side ran riot against their Bosnian opponents from the opening whistle.

Match Overview

This pre‑season meeting, arranged to build match fitness and sharpness ahead of the upcoming competitive campaigns, turned into a one‑sided exhibition. NK Tomislav, a side with a proud history in the lower tiers of Croatian football, executed a high‑press game that NK Novi Travnik simply could not handle. The visitors, competing in Bosnia’s regional leagues, were overwhelmed from the first minute.

Key Moments

• First‑half blitz: The home team raced to a 5-0 lead within the opening 30 minutes. Captain Marko Perić scored a hat‑trick in the space of 15 minutes, including a stunning volley from outside the box. Striker Luka Babić added two quick goals, exploiting disorganisation in the Novi Travnik defence.
• Continued dominance: By half‑time, the score had reached 8-0. Substitute midfielder Ivan Knežević scored a brace after coming on in the 35th minute.
• Novi Travnik consolation: The visitors managed to pull one back through a penalty converted by Edin Kovačević in the 52nd minute after a rare foray forward. However, Tomislav responded by scoring four more goals to cap off a comprehensive victory.
• Final tally: Tomislav’s 12 goals came from six different scorers, with Perić finishing with four, Babić with three, Knežević with two, and one each from defenders Josip Lovrić and Ante Ćorić.

Tactical Story

NK Tomislav deployed an aggressive 4-3-3 system that overloaded the central areas and forced turnovers high up the pitch. NK Novi Travnik, operating in a 4-4-2, were overrun in midfield and lacked the pace to track Tomislav’s overlapping full‑backs. The home side’s relentless pressing resulted in numerous quick transitions, leading to one‑on‑one opportunities that were clinically converted.

Standout Players

• Marko Perić (Tomislav) – The captain’s four‑goal haul was a testament to his finishing and leadership, dictating the tempo from the front.
• Luka Babić (Tomislav) – A physical presence, Babić not only scored three times but also provided two assists.

Context and Significance

While friendly matches must be taken with perspective, the scoreline highlights NK Tomislav’s pre‑season fitness and attacking cohesion. For NK Novi Travnik, the heavy defeat serves as a learning experience against a sharper opponent. Both sides will take different lessons from this encounter as they continue preparations for their respective league campaigns.