[1] However, although a majority of club representatives supported that proposal, no strict agreement or final decision was made.
Their place was taken by Međimurje while sixth-placed Hrvatski Dragovoljac competed in a relegation play-offs.
[6] After the death of Hrvoje Ćustić during a game played at Zadar's Stanovi Stadium in March 2008, it was decided that the stadia for the 2008–09 season would have to pass a closer inspection to be deemed fit for first-league football.
Since only 9 stadia managed to meet the requirements and obtain first-league license from the Croatian Football Federation, it was announced in May 2008 that some of the teams (Cibalia, Croatia Sesvete, Zadar and NK Zagreb) would have to share stadia and temporarily play their home games at other venues.
Those should have been top four clubs, but since Slavonac withdrew[6] their direct access spot was taken by fifth-placed Međimurje.