September 25, 2020 - In Europa League's 3rd round qualifiers, Rijeka topped Kolos in extra time to move onto the playoffs, while Lokomotiva and Hajduk have been eliminated. 

Lokomotiva opened the 3rd round qualifiers for Croatian clubs on Thursday and experienced a heavy defeat to Swedish club Malmo, who overcame the Zagreb club 5:0.

Lokomotiva conceded the first goal in the 5th minute when Thelin scored for 1:0. Thelin scored again 10 minutes later for 2:0. Nalic made it 3:0 in the 32nd minute. The second half opened with Larsson's goal in the 52nd minute for 4:0, and Rieks confirmed Malmo's victory with a goal in the 72nd minute for the final score of 5:0.

If it's any consolation, this is not Lokomotiva's biggest defeat in Europe. In the 2015/2016 season, they lost 6:0 to PAOK.

In Hajduk's 3rd round qualifying match, they met Turkish club Galatasaray in Istanbul. The Split club admirably managed to hold their own until the last 15 minutes of the match when a questionable sub by coach Hari Vukas cost them the game. 

Galatasaray's Belhanda scored in the 77th for 1:0, and Babel in the 86th minute for the final score of 2:0. 

Hajduk otherwise played an equal duel against the Turkish giant but failed to capitalize on many opportunities. This cost them, and Galatasaray wisely took advantage of their exhaustion towards the end of the match. 

After Lokomotiva and Hajduk were defeated, the third Croatian representative Rijeka still advanced to the playoff round of the Europa League qualifiers. Rijeka struggled against Kolos Kovalivka, a Ukrainian club that is playing in European competitions for the first time this year. Still, after 0:0 in 90 minutes, they finally beat the guests 2:0 with two extra-time goals at Rujevica.

Escoval's goal in the 103rd minute and Adrijasevic's in the 115th for 2:0 advanced Rijeka to the playoff round, where Copenhagen awaits. To secure autumn in Europe and at least 2.6 million euro, Rijeka must beat the very strong Copenhagen side in the only away match on Thursday.

The Danish club, which is 36th on the UEFA coefficient table, is better placed than, for example, Lazio, Monaco, or PSV. Copenhagen is the most prestigious club not only in Denmark but also in Scandinavia, which is playing in Europe. Copenhagen has not played in a Champions League or Europa League group only once in the last 14 years, and behind them is the second-best European season in history.

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September 18, 2020 - After the Europea League qualifiers on Thursday, Hajduk moves to the 3rd round, and Basel eliminates Osijek. 

Hajduk is in the third qualifying round of the Europa League after defeating Macedonian club Reneova in Skopje on Thursday. A goal by Mijo Caktas in the 4th minute was enough to give Hajduk the win and advance them to the next round.

Hajduk missed a number of great chances in the first half, and fortunately, just one goal was enough to pass.

In the second half, Renova was much better and more dangerous. Hajduk lost their momentum, panicked, and found themselves playing defense against a much more modest host.

In the third qualifying round, Hajduk will play against Turkish club Galatasaray, who defeated Neftchi on Thursday. 

Osijek, on the other hand, has completed their European journey for the third season in a row with a defeat in the 2nd qualifying round of the Europa League.

Two years ago, they lost to the Rangers, and last year, to CSKA Sofia. However, their victory against Rijeka in coach Nenad Bjelica's debut on the bench last week gave Osijek the optimism to break their Europa League curse. Unfortunately, Osijek did not succeed this time either, losing to Basel 1:2 at City Garden Stadium.

Thus, Osijek's first European match this season, unfortunately, was their last.

The famous Swiss club, who reached the quarterfinals of the Europa League last season, celebrated in Osijek, although the second half could have gone either way. While Basel was up 2:0 at half time, Osijek played much tighter in the second half, but only managed to reduce the score by one goal. 

The scorers for Basel were Arthur Cabral (18) and Valentin Stocker (44), while Ante Majstorovic (84) scored for Osijek.

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September 1, 2020 - Rijeka and Lokomotiva have learned their opponents for the Europa League Round 3 qualifying draw.

On Monday, Hajduk and Osijek found out their opponents in Europa League's second qualifying round. Hajduk will play against the Macedonian club Renova away, and Osijek will play against Basel.

The draw for the third qualifying round was held today, and Rijeka and Lokomotiva joined Hajduk and Osijek in learning their opponents. In this phase of the competition, only one match will be played without spectators, and two matches will be played in the playoffs.

Lokomotiva away, Greek Aris or Ukrainian Kolos arrives in Rijeka

The first to be drawn was Lokomotiva, which moved to the Europa League after losing to the Vienna club Rapid in the Champions League. Lokomotiva will thus host the winner between Hungarian club Honved and Swedish club Malmo.

Rijeka did well in today's draw and will welcome Greek Aris or Ukrainian Kolos Kovalivka.

If Hajduk passes Macedonian club Renova, they will play against Azerbaijani club Neftchi or Turkish club Galatasaray. If Osijek throws out Basel, they will welcome Cypriot club Anorthosis at City Garden.

Hajduk - Renova and Osijek - Basel will be played on September 17, and the matches of the third qualifying round are on the program a week later.

Europa League Round 3 Qualifying Draw:

Rijeka (starts in the third qualifying round) - Aris (Greece) or Kolos Kovalivka (Ukraine)

Lokomotiva (joins in the third qualifying round after relegation from the Champions League qualifiers) - Honved (Hungary) or Malmö (Sweden)

Hajduk (if they knock out Renova) - Neftchi Baku (Azerbaijan) or Galatasaray (Turkey)

Osijek (if they knock out Basel) - Anorthosis (Cyprus)

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August 31, 2020 - Hajduk and Osijek, the two Croatian representatives that will compete in the second qualifying round of the Europa League, have found out their rivals. Hajduk v Renova and Osijek v Basel.

Only one game is played at this stage of the competition. Hajduk will play against the Macedonian club Renova away, while Osijek plays against Basel at their stadium. The matches will be played on September 17, 2020. 

Renova finished last season in fourth place behind Vardar, Sileks, and Shkendija. The Macedonian club beat the Armenian club Alashkert 1-0 in the first round. This is their return to Europe after five years. They have played six times in Europe, and their biggest success was the elimination of Rijeka in the Intertoto Cup in 2008. They were the champions of Macedonia in 2010.

Next to Tottenham, Basel is the club with the highest odds in the Europa League qualifiers. They were stopped by Shakhtar in the quarterfinals last season. Basel was the Swiss champion last in 2017. They passed the group stage of the Champions League three times in the last ten years, and in 2013, played in the semifinals of the Europa League. The most valuable player of the club is the Brazilian striker Arthur. His value is estimated at six million euro. He scored 18 goals and, along with Fabian Frei, was the club's top scorer. Arthur tested positive for the coronavirus, so his performance against Osijek is still in question.

Tomorrow, the draw of the third qualifying round will be held, and Rijeka and Lokomotiva will join Hajduk (not-seeded) and Osijek (seeded due to the Basel coefficient). Rijeka will be a top-seed, and Lokomotiva will not. The third qualifying round matches are scheduled for September 24, 2020. 

Furthermore, Dinamo is the only Croatian representative in the Champions League qualifiers. The Croatian champion has drawn Hungarian Ferencvaros in the third qualifying round. 

Only one match is played in Budapest on September 15 or 16. In the second qualifying round, Dinamo played away and eliminated Romanian club Cluj on penalities. 

Source: Index.hr

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August 15, 2019 - NK Rijeka and Aberdeen met in the return match of the Europa League qualifiers on Thursday evening in Scotland. 

It was not difficult for Rijeka to top Aberdeen once again in the return game of the third round of the Europa League qualifiers. The Croatian club celebrated 2:0 at Pittodrie Stadium, achieving a 4:0 aggregate over the Scottish club, reports Gol.hr.

Thus, Rijeka has secured the Europa League playoff round where they will play Ghent, who defeated AEK Larnaca from Cyprus. Rijeka and Ghent will meet on August 22 in Belgium, followed by the return match in Rijeka on August 29. 

Igor Bišćan's team had a much easier job than they expected in the qualifiers. After neutralizing the hosts' initial aggression, they took the lead in the 10th minute after Aberdeen lost the ball and Rijeka went on the attack. Zoran Kvržić found the foot of Stjepan Lončar who put the ball in the back of the net for 1:0. At this point in the game, Aberdeen had to score four goals to move forward. 

Aberdeen showed their nervousness and lost concentration, which resulted in a double yellow for Funso Ojo in the 20th minute. Aberdeen played the rest of the match with a man down. 

All hope was lost for the Scottish side, which was further confirmed after Rijeka increased their lead in the 32nd minute thanks to a combination between Maxwell Acosty, Zoran Kvržić and Mirko Čolak. 

Until the end of the first half, Rijeka routinely controlled the course of events, preventing Aberdeen from seriously threatening their goal. 

The second half was no different. Aberdeen pressured in the opening minutes of the second half, though Rijeka held their own and managed to go through the qualifiers without conceding a goal. 

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August 8, 2019 - NK Rijeka opened their Europa League season in the 3rd round of the qualifiers against Scottish club Aberdeen on Thursday at Rujevica stadium. Commentators said around 6,500 spectators were in attendance.

Gol.hr reports that NK Rijeka missed a handful of critical opportunities in the first half, which ended without goals for either club. Rijeka, however, was given their golden chance to take the lead in the 62nd minute after Logan unnecessarily pulled Capan down in the penalty area, which the referee immediately whistled for a pen. Čolak fiercely shot down the middle as goalkeeper Lewis chose to move to the left. Rijeka took the 1:0 lead. 

At the very end of the duel, in the 88th minute, Halilović found the foot of Murić who nailed the bottom right corner from 18-meters out. Lewis was powerless in goal, and Rijeka led 2:0 for the final score of the game. 

"I am proud of my players and if it were 0:0 I would be pleased, let alone with 2:0. Everything we spoke about was fulfilled, and we were even physically equal. We have a nice advantage and Aberdeen will surely play differently in the return match. But if we play like we did tonight, then we will definitely pass,” said NK Rijeka coach Igor Bišćan.

Recall, the Scottish club was never a fond memory for Rijeka fans. Four years ago, they eliminated Rijeka in the Europa League qualifying round at Kantrida in a 3:0 blowout. 

The return match will be played at Pittodrie Stadium in Aberdeen, Scotland in one week. If Rijeka advances, they will play the winner of the duel between AEK Larnaca and Ghent.

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NK Osijek was eliminated in the second round of the Europa League qualifiers after a penalty shootout against CSKA Sofia on Thursday at City Garden stadium. 

NK Osijek and CSKA Sofia met for the return match of the second round of the Europa League qualifiers on Thursday at City Garden stadium. Recall, Sofia won the first leg 1:0 at home, reports HRT on August 1, 2019.

Osijek needed to put up a tough fight to stay alive in the Europa League and did just that on Thursday night in Osijek. In the 23rd minute, Bočkaj hit the wall from a free-kick and had an even better opportunity a minute later when he crossed the ball to Šorša who shot over the goal. 

But Osijek finally got their chance in the 27th minute after Ante Majstorović nailed a header from Žaper's cross from the right. After exactly half an hour of play, the game could have been 2:0. Marić fooled the Sofia player to find Mance, though their stopper cleared Osijek’s attack. 

The game saw no other goals, and after 90 minutes with a 1:1 aggregate from both games, it went into extra time. However, no winner could be decided in the dramatic added minutes, and the winner was then to be decided on penalties. Unfortunately, Osijek failed to overcome the Bulgarian club on penalties, losing 3:4 in the end. Thus, Osijek joins Hajduk and is no longer competing in the Europa League this season.

City Garden Stadium in Osijek welcomed 7,200 spectators for the Europa League clash between Osijek and CSKA Sofia.

This game was also the return of Ljupko Petrović to City Garden. The expert took over CSKA Sofia after the club dismissed Dobromir Mitov at the beginning of the season. Petrović's first encounter with Osijek was his debut for the club, and in the second he beat city rivals Slavia 2:1.

Petrović is the best scorer in Osijek history with 139 goals and has achieved his greatest career success as the Crvena Zvezda (Red Star Belgrade) coach, winning the European title in 1991.

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Football club Hajduk Split played their first Europa League qualifier against Malta club Gzira United after 29 days of preparations. The first qualifying round was played on artificial turf in Ta' Qali.

Hajduk opened the start of a new European season with a 0:2 win against Gzira United in the first qualifying round at the Centenary stadium in Ta 'Qali, Malta, reports Gol.hr on July 9, 2019.

Siniša Oreščanin’s team managed to secure the victory with goals by Adam Gyurcso in the 44th minute and Ivan Dolček in the fifth minute of injury time. 

Hajduk dominated the first minute but was unable to break through Gzira’s defense in the first half, which ended without goals.

Hajduk’s first real chance was in the 37th minute when Jradi passed two players to find Gyurcso, who missed the goal by 10 meters. Three minutes later, Jurić cut the ball from the right and shot from 20 meters but was also unlucky. 

Hajduk finally had their chance in the 44th minute thanks to a penalty which Gyurcso scored after his shot bounced back off the side post. 

Hajduk could have increased their lead in the 69th minute, though Hamza and Dolček were unable to realize their chances. However, seconds before the final whistle and five minutes into injury time, substitute Ivan Dolček increased Hajduk’s lead to 0:2, which was the final score of the game.

Hajduk arrived in Malta on Sunday and held one official training on Monday evening, and was welcomed by hot and muggy weather, with a temperature of 37 degrees Celsius. The club also arrived in Malta without a few sound names. Namely, Oreščanin could not count on captain Josip Juranović, Mijo Caktaš and Josip Posavec who received an extended rest after the U21 European Championship. 

The second leg is scheduled for July 18th at Poljud. If Hajduk moves forward,  they will play in the second qualifying round against the winner of Latvian club Ventspils and Albanian club Teuta.

More soon...

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