Andrea Grebenar, a 27-year-old soccer player from Mali Mošunj near Vitez, is a real star of the women’s HNL. She is currently a member of ŽNK Hajduk, a club where she shines as an attacker, and her incredible adaptability to positions on the field shows her versatility and passion for this sport.
Currently, the ŽNK Hajduk team is in third place in the First Women’s Football League, only one point behind the most trophy-winning club in Croatia, ŽNK Osijek, while ŽNK Agram is the leader of the half-season. But Andrea has no doubts – her goal is clearly set: to raise Hajduk to first place by the end of the season.
Beginnings in Mali Mošunj: Football with boys and love for sports
Andrea started her soccer career in her native village, where, as a girl, she played soccer with the boys. Football was not just a game, it was a way of life – to adapt, fight and show that sport is not reserved only for boys. Although there were some other girls in the village who were talented in soccer, Andrea quickly realized that her calling was precisely on that field, despite the fact that she tried other sports as well.
“Football was always my first choice. Although I tried my hand at other sports, soccer was always my favorite,” says Andrea, recalling her beginnings.
When she learned from her sister that there was a women’s soccer club nearby, Mladost Nević Polje, she decided to pursue her dream, despite her obligations at school. She happily recalls the first training session and the sense of community among the girls, which was a turning point in her life because she finally found her place in the sport she loves.
Through the youth categories and the rise to SFK 2000
At the age of 14, Andrea moved to ŽNK SFK 2000 from Sarajevo, one of the most trophy-winning clubs in the history of women’s football in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Here she experienced a real football rise, winning numerous titles, and her games with the national team and the club remained unforgettable. During that time, she became a stopper who earned her place in the history of the club, and in 2019 she was declared the best athlete of the Canton of Central Bosnia.
However, the feeling that he could achieve even more led Andrea to ŽNK Split, a club that played in the Champions League at the time. It was a turning point in her career.
Turning point: From stopper to attacker
In Split, she played in the best women’s league, and won all domestic titles with the club. There, among other things, she gained her first experience in the Champions League, after mostly being on the bench in ZNK SFK 2000. This club, where she won trophies, gave her an additional impulse to take a big step in her career.
“It’s a pleasure to play in the Champions League, not just to watch from the bench. That was my first real experience”, says Andrea, who, after success in Split, transferred to ŽNK Hajduk, where she started as a stopper, and later switched completely to attack.
Scoring goals and a new role in the attack
Going forward was a big challenge for Andrea, but her adaptability and work ethic allowed her to play in a new position and become one of the most dangerous strikers. The initial insecurities quickly disappeared as she started to score goals, and last season she scored 22 goals, making her one of the top scorers in the league.
“It was difficult at first. The change in position from defense to attack was big, but as the games went by, I got better. Every game was a new opportunity to learn,” explains Andrea.
Football in Croatia: Perspectives and challenges
For Andrea, football in Croatia, although progressing, is still not at the level it could be. Although women in football do their best, she believes that women’s football deserves more attention, better pay and more recognition. She wants the situation to improve in the future, and female soccer players in Croatia get the respect they deserve for the effort they put in.
“Women’s football in Croatia can be much better. We give our maximum, and we are still underestimated. We deserve more, and I hope we will get there”, says Grebenar.
Ambitions: Play abroad and win a trophy with Hajduk
Andrea is thinking about going abroad to realize her football ambitions, but at the moment she is more focused on winning titles with Hajduk. He believes that they have a talented team that can achieve great success in domestic and European competitions.
“It’s never too late to realize and achieve what we want. We always have somewhere to return to, but my current goal is to win everything with Hajduk”, says Andrea.
A message to young soccer players
For all girls who dream of a soccer career, Andrea has a clear message: never give up. “You should never give up on your dreams. When we try and do our best, success will come,” he concludes.
Andrea Grebenar is a true inspiration to all young soccer players, and her dedication, work and love for soccer make her not only an exceptional athlete, but also a great role model for future generations.
