Gorica beat Zorya Luhansk as Epailly scored twice.

On Saturday, July 8, 2026, Croatian top‑flight side Gorica defeated Ukrainian side Zorya Luhansk 2‑0 in Slovenia. French striker Theuu Epailly, who joined Turopolje in January, was the double‑goal scorer in the second half. The win comes while Gorica sits 10th in the HNL with 0 points and has yet to score a goal this season.

How did the match unfold?

Gorica took charge after the break. Epailly opened the scoring in the 57th minute and added a second in the 73rd, sealing a clean sheet. Zorya created a few chances, but both keepers kept the nets untouched. Coach Nikola Šafarić was absent, yet the squad displayed readiness for upcoming challenges.

What does this mean for Gorica?

The victory provides a morale boost ahead of the new HNL season. Although league stats remain empty – 0 scored and 0 conceded – a friendly win can raise confidence across the squad. Epailly’s performance also signals that the new signing is fitting well into the attack.

What are the next steps?

Gorica will gear up for another friendly in Kajzerica before heading back to Slovenia for the second phase of preparations. The club aims to sharpen its offense, with Epailly expected to play a pivotal role in upcoming league matches. Fans will watch closely to see if the team can climb out of 10th place.

Current HNL context

As of July 11, 2026, Gorica sits 10th in the HNL with 0 points and has not yet scored a goal, making the friendly win in Luhansk a vital confidence builder before the season kickoff.