AGP Executive Report

Croatian Sports & Music: Luka Modrić & Nations League: Croatia’s veteran star confirms he’ll play in the UEFA Nations League at 41, while Dominik Livaković joins the squad for four key matches (Czech Republic, Spain twice, and England), with coach Slaven Bilić stressing the need for minutes after his Barcelona move. MMA Spotlight: BRAVE CF 108 keeps the spotlight on Croatian fighters, with Andi Vrtaičić scoring a TKO win in front of a roaring hometown crowd. Croatian Entertainment & Culture: Dino Jelusić (WHITESNAKE): Croatian multi-instrumentalist Dino “Jelusić” Jelusić opens up about his WHITESNAKE experience, including how COVID disruptions and last-minute decisions shaped the tour. Regional Arts/Travel: Digital Nomads in Ston: international remote workers swapped laptops for salt harvesting during Ston’s Salt Festival. Big News in the Region: Ratko Mladić Funeral: thousands gathered in Belgrade for the “Butcher of Bosnia” funeral, drawing EU condemnation over alleged glorification and Serbia’s EU accession concerns. EU/Media Freedom: RTV Slovenija safeguards: journalist groups call for stronger protections for RTV Slovenija’s independence and stable funding. Travel & Lifestyle: Air China Zagreb-Beijing: a new year-round route starts, framed as a “bridge of friendship” beyond tourism. Sports Streaming: Champions League 2026/27: matchday 1 viewing guide and fixtures roundup.

US Open Spotlight: Iva Jović, 18, with Croatian-Serbian roots, faces Coco Gauff in a high-stakes fourth-round clash where the winner locks in $780,000 and a career-defining upset. Regional Politics & Culture: Serbia’s capital Belgrade drew huge crowds for the funeral of convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić, with EU officials condemning “glorification” and the spectacle fueling fresh regional tensions. Public Media Independence: Slovenia’s journalist groups, including the European Federation of Journalists, are pushing for stronger safeguards and stable funding to protect RTV Slovenija’s editorial and institutional independence. Croatia Education: Dubrovnik welcomed 416 first graders as the city points to a €37M-plus investment push for primary schools and sports infrastructure. Film & Awards: Croatia selected Hana Jušić’s “God Will Not Help” (Bog neće pomoći) as its Academy Awards Best International Feature submission. Sports in Croatia: BRAVE CF 108 hit Pula Arena with Andi Vrtacic’s hometown TKO win and Lasha Abramishvili’s big co-main victory. Travel & Lifestyle: Air China launched a year-round Zagreb–Beijing connection via Bucharest, framed as a bridge for culture and business ties.

International Film & Oscars: Croatia has selected Hana Jušić’s historical drama “God Will Not Help” (Bog neće pomoći) as its candidate for the 99th Academy Awards’ Best International Feature Film category. Sports Spotlight (MMA): BRAVE CF 108 landed in Pula Arena, with Croatian star Andi Vrtacic stopping Sofian Bouafia in the main event and Lasha Abramishvili earning a big win over Stephen Loman. Football (National Team): Luka Modrić, now 41, confirms he’ll keep playing for Croatia and is set for UEFA Nations League matches vs Czechia, Spain and England. Football (Club Buzz): Croatian defender Luka Vuskovic is making an early Premier League impact for Brighton after a record signing, scoring and playing every minute early on. Travel & Culture (Croatia-China): Air China launches a year-round Zagreb–Beijing connection via a new route that also links through Bucharest, framed as a “bridge of friendship.” Food & Tradition: Štrudlafest returns in Jaškovo near Ozalj, celebrating strudel craft with new workshops and awards. Human Interest (Sport): Australian-Croatian ultrarunner Aydan Marko Papac completes an 827 km coast run from Savudrija to Prevlaka to raise awareness for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Housing Rules: Brussels moves toward tougher limits on short-term holiday rentals, while Croatia tightens tourist apartment rules—raising questions for families relying on rental income. Local Life: Croatia’s new school year starts as pupils return to classrooms, with the education minister noting thousands of first-graders had enrolment postponed.

Croatian Film & Oscars: Hana Jušić’s historical drama “God Will Not Help / Bog neće pomoći” has been picked as Croatia’s 99th Academy Awards submission for Best International Feature, with a Locarno premiere and a star-studded cast including Manuela Martelli. Film Festivals: Manaki Brothers 2026 announced its competition lineup, featuring 51 films across Camera 300, documentary, shorts, and student categories, plus major international titles. Montenegro Film Rendezvous: Marija Perović’s projects stood out at Montenegro Film Rendezvous, where “Our Father / Oče naš” won top awards at the Herceg Novi festival. Tourist Rentals Crackdown: Brussels is moving to tighten rules on short-term holiday rentals as Croatia already tightens tourist apartment regulations—raising big questions for housing affordability. Sports (MMA): BRAVE CF 108 hit Pula Arena with Andi Vrtačić’s hometown TKO win and Lasha Abramishvili’s big decision over Stephen Loman. Football: Luka Modrić, now 41, confirms he’ll play in Croatia’s UEFA Nations League fixtures. Culture & Food: Štrudlafest in Jaškovo kicked off with new workshops and the Golden Grandma award going to Ana Vujaklija. Protest & Environment: Thousands marched in Zagreb for “Walk for Lika, Walk for Croatia,” demanding cleanup of 33,000 tonnes of hazardous waste near Gospić.

Sports & National Pride: Luka Modrić, now 41, has confirmed he’ll keep playing for Croatia in the UEFA Nations League, with fixtures vs Czechia, Spain and England set to shape the autumn campaign. MMA in Croatia: BRAVE CF 108 hits Pula Arena with a hometown main event for Andi Vrtačić and a co-main return for Stephen Loman, plus a new vertical 9:16 broadcast push for fans. Tennis Spotlight: Iva Jović and Alex Eala lit up U.S. Open primetime, with Jović winning to reach the fourth round and face Coco Gauff next. Culture & Food: Štrudlafest kicked off in Jaškovo near Ozalj, celebrating Croatian strudel traditions and awarding the “Golden Grandma” title to Ana Vujaklija. Community & Protest: Thousands marched in Zagreb for “Walk for Lika, Walk for Croatia,” demanding urgent cleanup and accountability over hazardous waste dumped near Gospić. Local Life: Croatia’s new school year begins tomorrow, with the education minister noting thousands of first-graders have had enrollment postponed. Controversy Watch: Police removed men from Croatia for glorifying Ratko Mladić, following reports tied to social media tributes.

Football Spotlight: Luka Modrić is set to keep playing for Croatia, confirming he’ll be available for UEFA Nations League matches vs Czechia, Spain and England, with HNS hailing his leadership and coach Slaven Bilić calling it a huge boost ahead of the squad announcement. Culture & Food: Štrudlafest kicks off in Jaškovo near Ozalj, spotlighting traditional strudel craft and awarding the “Golden Grandma” title to Ana Vujaklija, with new workshops and a Tesla-themed corner adding variety to the long-running festival. Arts & Heritage: The Epidaurus Cavtat Festival marks its 20th anniversary in Cavtat, with this year’s programme dedicated to artistic director Ivana Marija Vidović’s mother, blending music, art and flamenco in a deeply personal edition. Sport (Combat): BRAVE CF 108 hits Pula Arena with nine bouts, headlined by Croatian Andi Vrtacic and featuring Stephen “The Sniper” Loman’s return against Lasha Abramishvili. Travel & Pop Culture: Netflix’s Outer Banks keeps pulling fans in, with Croatia mentioned among filming locations as actor Chase Stokes says he’s had to find “new ways” to appreciate the series while moving beyond the “YA guy” label. Local Life: Thousands march in Zagreb for “Walk for Lika, Walk for Croatia,” demanding action over hazardous waste dumped near Gospić.

Cultural Milestone: Epidaurus Cavtat Festival marks its 20th anniversary this September, with a deeply personal edition dedicated to the artistic director Ivana Marija Vidović’s mother, blending music, art, dance and local heritage in Cavtat. MMA in Pula: BRAVE CF 108 hits Pula Arena tonight with nine bouts confirmed, headlined by Croatian Andi Vrtacic vs Sofiane Bouafia, plus Stephen Loman’s co-main return against Lasha Abramishvili. Music & Food Business: Boogie Lab, Croatia’s artisan bakery-gastro brand, opens its first New York location in Washington Heights, bringing its sourdough and bistro-bar-music concept abroad. Travel & Lifestyle: Air China launches a year-round Beijing–Bucharest–Zagreb route three times weekly, while a viral debate flares after Hungarian tourists were reportedly asked to leave a Krk restaurant for ordering only dessert. Heritage & Community: On Hvar, international volunteers join the UNESCO Stari Grad Plain workshop to help preserve the ancient agricultural landscape. Sports Spotlight: England’s FA begins its World Cup review, planning to canvass players’ views after the Tuchel-era tactical debate.

Court & Politics: Croatia’s court postponed the extradition hearing of Ukrainian Nord Stream suspect Volodymyr Zhuravlev after Germany updated the warrant with a “war crime” classification, keeping him in pre-trial detention in Pula. Reality TV Shock: Bravo has cut ties with “Below Deck” star Nathan Gallagher after domestic violence charges, following his missed court appearance. Culture & Heritage: International volunteers returned to Croatia’s UNESCO Stari Grad Plain on Hvar for the sixth World Heritage Volunteers workshop, helping preserve the ancient Greek agricultural landscape. Travel & Lifestyle: Air China launched a new year-round Beijing–Bucharest–Zagreb route three times weekly, while a Krk restaurant sparked debate after Hungarian tourists were reportedly asked to leave for ordering only dessert. Sport & Entertainment: British heavyweight Moses Itauma’s IBF title bid ended in a ninth-round stoppage loss to Croatian Filip Hrgović, and BRAVE CF 108 in Pula spotlights Stephen Loman’s comeback with a new corner team. Controversy & Diplomacy: EU officials warned Serbia that Ratko Mladić’s funeral could be a “very important test” for its EU path amid concerns over glorification.

Messi Mania: Rexona’s new Lionel Messi font is reportedly built from real on-pitch moves, sparking fan sleuthing over which Argentina moments shaped each letter. Tech & Mobility: Uber has launched supervised autonomous taxi rides in London via the app, using fewer than 20 all-electric Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles with Wayve tech. Publishing: Templar Books expands the Little Wolf picture-book series with two new titles, including a September 2026 release and a 2027 school-start story, with rights sold including to Croatia. Film & Awards (Croatia): Croatia selected Hana Jušić’s “God Will Not Help” as its Best International Feature Film submission for the Oscars. Classical Music (Korčula): The Marko Polo Gala Concert returns to Korčula with free admission and a mix of Puccini, Verdi, Gershwin and Croatian composers. Sports (Croatia-linked): Croatia is set to buy 18 South Korean Chunmoo K239 rocket launchers in a deal worth €435.2m, boosting strike range beyond 300km. Boxing: Moses Itauma’s IBF title bid ended after he “gassed out” in the ninth against Filip Hrgović. Travel Culture (Budva): A look at Budva’s summer transformation—medieval old town by day, nightlife and music by night.

Croatian Film & Oscars: Croatia has officially selected Hana Jušić’s God Will Not Help as its submission for the 99th Academy Awards’ Best International Feature Film category, with the Croatian Filmmakers’ Association making the call on 2 September. The historical drama—set on Dinara in the early 20th century—centres on a shepherd community thrown into turmoil by a mysterious foreign woman claiming to be a long-lost wife. Opera & Live Music: Korčula is hosting Opera Under the Stars with the free Marko Polo Gala Concert on Sunday, September 6, featuring soprano Lidija Horvat-Dunjko and mezzo-soprano Martina Gojčeta Silić, plus pianist Mario Čopor, with a programme spanning Puccini, Verdi, Gershwin and Croatian composers. International Film Festival Buzz: Lithuania’s Eyes of Shame—a VR animated co-production involving Croatia—will premiere at the Venice Film Festival’s Venice Immersive section, adding another Croatia-linked title to the festival spotlight. Travel & Culture: Air Canada is expanding its Summer 2027 network with new routes including year-round service to Dubrovnik from Montréal, alongside multiple European and global additions. Tech & Sports Wearables: HUAWEI unveiled the WATCH GT 7 Series with new colours and skiing/cycling-focused features, plus health tracking and up to 21 days of autonomy.

Venice Film Festival Buzz: Colombian hybrid doc “The End of Times” by Bibiana Rojas Gómez and Juan David Cárdenas blends family archives, animation and AI to explore how capitalism and political violence echo through one family’s recordings, premiering Sept. 9 at Venice Critics’ Week. Tech Meets Travel: Uber starts London’s first robotaxi rides with 15 Wayve-equipped Ford Mustang Mach-E cars, still overseen by a human safety driver. Croatia Culture: The Kaljski dialect from Kali on Ugljan is officially listed as protected intangible cultural heritage, with local schools and the Kalipedia dictionary project helping preserve it. Local Sports & Entertainment: Croatia’s Pula Arena hosts BRAVE CF 108 on Sept. 5, with Bosnian prospect Amil Tutic backed by MMA veteran Miran Fabjan as a next Balkan star. Global Pop Culture: Brooke Shields shares her “highlight of the summer” trip to Croatia, posting waterfall and open-water moments with friends including Chelsea Handler. Football Business: Premier League clubs set another spending record, while the free-agent market stays open for big names still without contracts.

Streaming Spotlight: Netflix’s Nordic noir hit Blood Sacrifice (Blodsoffer) is surging globally, racking up 37.9M hours viewed and ranking among the top 10 in countries including Croatia. Croatian Travel & Luxury: Hotel Vallum in Cavtat is carving out a quieter, year-round luxury identity—privacy, design, and culture-led stays are the new pitch. TV & Film Buzz: Emmy Rossum and Furious creator Liz Meriwether tease Season 2 ideas, including a possible nod to a tense scuba sequence inspired by the 1987 thriller Black Widow. Music & Pop Culture: MLS stars are sharing their personal Songs of the Summer with Billboard, and Croatia’s Petar Musa is among the featured names. Sports (Local Angle): Croatia is mourning Hajduk legend Ivan Gudelj, who died at 66; he was a captain and key scorer in the club’s late-70s/early-80s era. Art & Photography: Irina Rozovsky’s new photo book Mountain Black Heart explores the Balkans through impressionistic, non-linear imagery.

Zagreb Culture Calendar: The Zagreb Tourist Board is rolling out 31 free themed walking tours across September, from Upper Town stories to family legends and a kids-friendly programme, with themed routes running weekends from 5–27 September. Orebić Food & Wine: Pelješac’s coastal town Orebić launches its first “Captains’ Stories” festival on September 5, pairing sea-captain traditions with local wines, live music, and a quiz in Trg Mimbelli. Public Art: Croatian artist Lonac’s “Playground” mural is highlighted from Zaragoza’s Festival Asalto, painted on a wall between a police station and a school as part of the city’s urban-art anniversary. Streaming Habits in the Region: Eurostat data shows Cyprus trails the EU average for paid film/series/sports streaming, with Croatia among the lowest-paying markets. Tourism Debate: A Krk Island restaurant dispute goes viral after Hungarian visitors were reportedly asked to leave for ordering only pancakes during dinner rush. Boxing Spotlight: Croatia’s Filip Hrgović’s IBF heavyweight title win over Moses Itauma keeps dominating sports talk, with fresh footage and post-fight reactions fueling the headlines. Dubrovnik Music Night: Stradun Classic continues with an “Across the Pond” programme featuring American composers at the Rector’s Palace atrium.

Zagreb City Life: 31 free themed walking tours are set to run across September, spotlighting lesser-known stories, Upper Town legends, the Mažuranić family, and a special “Zagreb’s Son” route marking August Šenoa’s 145th death anniversary. Croatian Film & Festivals: Igor Jelinović’s feature debut Honey Bunny—born from a real family dispute—was discussed ahead of its Rab Film Festival screening, with the film’s themes of property, loyalty, and competing family perspectives. Boxing Spotlight (Croatia in the ring): Filip Hrgović’s stoppage win over Moses Itauma sparked a wave of reactions and follow-ups, as Itauma promised “I’ll be back” after his first pro defeat and the fight’s behind-the-scenes corner moments drew attention. Music in Dubrovnik: Stradun Classic continues with an “Across the Pond” programme mixing American composers and New World-inspired works, with Mischa Maisky’s gala finale also drawing ticket interest. Tech for Hobbies: A Croatian entrepreneur launched Hobinjak.eu, a hobby-first platform connecting communities, local events, and second-hand gear across 136 interests. Tourism Trend: Booking.com research says 58% of Croatians plan trips after peak summer, mainly to avoid crowds and save money. Sports Broadcasting: ISB is the host broadcaster for Extreme Barcelona (Sept 4–6), with global coverage reaching Croatia and streaming via YouTube. Global Screen Hit: Netflix says Outer Banks has topped 400M global views and is ending with Season 5 now streaming.

Extreme Barcelona Coverage: International Sports Broadcasting (ISB) is set as host broadcaster for Extreme Barcelona (4-6 Sept), with 500 athletes from 40 countries and a free-to-air global stream via Urban World Series on YouTube. Dubrovnik Water Polo: World Aquatics launches the first-ever Water Polo 4x4 Open Championships in Dubrovnik, turning the sport into a faster, urban-friendly format. Boxing Shock in London: Moses Itauma’s unbeaten run ends as Filip Hrgović wins the IBF heavyweight title at the O2, with Itauma vowing “I’ll be back” after being stretchered out and released from hospital. Messi’s Argentina Farewell: Lionel Messi announces retirement from international football after a 21-year run with Argentina, closing a World Cup-winning era. EU Politics, Montenegro: The European Commission warns that any interference in Montenegro’s EU path is unacceptable, as Serbia’s role in regional destabilisation claims remains a flashpoint. Croatian Travel Trend: Booking.com research says 58% of Croatians plan trips in September/autumn to avoid crowds and get better value. Zagreb Food Scene: A look at Zagreb’s Dolac Market and the city’s growing reputation for modern, chef-driven dining. Art Spotlight: TARWUK’s dark, material-rich works (including “Tarwuk” coverage) draw on Croatian history and war-era memory. Superyacht Watch: Billionaire yachts spotted off Dubrovnik, with Moonrise and another reported $200m vessel drawing attention near Cavtat.

Superyacht Spotting Off Dubrovnik: Two mega-vessels worth about €200m each—Jan Koum’s “Moonrise” and Bulat Utemuratov’s “Avantage”—were seen near Cavtat, with a mystery passenger reportedly resembling Barry Diller. US Open Tennis (Croatia link): Australia’s Kim Birrell fought back to beat Croatia’s Petra Marcinko 3-6, 7-6, 6-3 and reach the second round. Football Legend News: Lionel Messi announced his retirement from Argentina after 207 caps and 125 goals, ending a 21-year international run. Croatian Boxing Spotlight: Moses Itauma broke silence after his IBF title loss to Filip Hrgović and both fighters face suspensions; Hrgović is now Croatia’s first heavyweight world champion. Music: Croatian jazz/swing icon Stjepan “Jimmy” Stanić died at 98 after decades on stage. Film & Festivals: Lordan Zafranović’s “Golden Cut 42 (Children of Kozara)” will open FEST in Belgrade on 2 October. Metal Release: Fear Factory dropped new single “Roboticist,” with a Zagreb show listed for Sept 24.