International Club Friendly – July 3, 2026

NK Varteks Varazdin Edge Past FC Voluntari in Thrilling Friendly

Croatian Prva NL side NK Varteks Varazdin defeated Romanian Liga I outfit FC Voluntari 2-1 in a tightly contested pre-season friendly on Friday. The match, played in front of a handful of fans at the Stadion Varteks, offered both teams a valuable workout as they fine-tune their lineups ahead of the new season.

How the Match Unfolded

Varteks started brightly, pressing Voluntari high and forcing an early mistake. The home side took the lead in the 18th minute when striker Marko Tolić capitalized on a defensive miscommunication to poke home from close range. Voluntari responded well, equalizing just before the half-hour mark through a powerful header from central defender Ionuț Balaur following a corner kick.

The second half saw a more cautious approach from both sides, with opportunities few and far between. The decisive moment came in the 67th minute when Varteks midfielder Luka Mamić curled a beautiful free-kick over the wall and into the top corner, leaving the Voluntari goalkeeper rooted to the spot. Voluntari pushed for an equalizer in the closing stages but the Varteks defense, marshaled by veteran captain Igor Postonjski, held firm.

Tactical Takeaways

• Varteks’ high press caused Voluntari problems in the first half, disrupting their build-up play from the back.
• Voluntari’s aerial threat was evident from set pieces, but they lacked creativity in open play after the break.
• Substitutions from both managers disrupted the flow, but Varteks’ replacements provided fresh energy that helped secure the win.

Player Focus

Luka Mamić was the standout performer for Varteks, not only scoring the winner but also winning several tackles and distributing the ball intelligently. For Voluntari, goalkeeper Cristian Bălgrădean made three excellent saves to keep his side in the game, particularly denying Tolić from point-blank range in the second half.

Looking Ahead

NK Varteks Varazdin will take confidence from this result as they prepare for the start of the Croatian second-tier season, where promotion back to the top flight remains the long-term aim. FC Voluntari, meanwhile, will view this as a useful test against a physical side, with further friendlies scheduled before their Liga I campaign begins.