October 2, 2020 - In the Europa League draw held in Nyon on Friday, Dinamo and Rijeka learned their group stage opponents. 

Dinamo and Rijeka have qualified for the group stage of the Europa League after defeating Flora and Copenhagen on Thursday night in the final qualifying round. Thus, for the first time since 2017, Croatia will have two representatives in the group stage of European competitions. Their opponents were learned at a draw in Nyon on Friday afternoon.

Dinamo will play against Nikola Vlasic's CSKA Moscow, Feyenoord and Wolsberg, and Rijeka against Napoli, Real Sociedad and AZ Alkmaar.

Dinamo earned 2.6 million euro to enter the Europa League group, and can still earn quite a bit of money in the group stage. A draw in the Europa League group brings 190 thousand euro, and a win 570 thousand euro.

Furthermore, first place in the group is worth another million euro, and second place half a million euro. Passing the group stage brings you to the first knockout round, which is another half a million euro. Placement in the second elimination round is worth 1.1 million euro, and the quarterfinal 1.5 million.

The semifinal brings another 2.4 million euro, a defeat in the final 4.5 million euro, and winning the Europa League 8.5 million euro.

All matches between Dinamo and Rijeka in the Europa League will be broadcast by Arenasport, and the first round will be played in three weeks. Matches will be played at 7 pm or 9:05 pm.

Europa League match schedule:

Round 1 - October 22

Round 2 - October 29

Round 3 - November 5

Round 4 - November 26

Round 5 - December 3

Round 6 - December 10

Recall, Dinamo secured a spot in the Europa League after beating Estonian club Flora 3:1 in the final qualifying round at Maksimir Stadium. Ademi scored twice for Dinamo in the 26th and 87th minutes, and the first goal of the match was scored by Gavranovic in the 11th. Sinavskij scored for Flora in the 65th. 

In the second match on Thursday, Rijeka also secured a spot in the Europa League group stage thanks to a 1:0 (1-0) away win against Copenhagen. Rijeka reached the victory thanks to an own goal by Ankersen in the 20th minute.

Source: Index.hr

For the latest travel info, bookmark our main travel info article, which is updated daily. 

Read the Croatian Travel Update in your language - now available in 24 languages

Join the Total Croatia Travel INFO Viber community.

October 2, 2020 - Dinamo and Rijeka advance to the Europa League group stage after defeating Flora and Copenhagen on Thursday evening in the final qualifying round.

Dinamo Zagreb secured a spot in the Europa League after beating Estonian club Flora 3:1 in the final qualifying round at Maksimir Stadium. Ademi scored twice for Dinamo in the 26th and 87th minutes, and the first goal of the match was scored by Gavranovic in the 11th. Sinavskij scored for Flora in the 65th. 

After losing to Ferencvaros without a chance to qualify for the Champions League, Dinamo will play in the Europa League this season for consolation.

Unlike the last qualifying round of the Champions League, in which two matches were played, only one match was played in the final round of the Europa League qualifiers.

Dinamo's last hurdle to qualify for the group stage was the Estonian champion, Flora. The difference in quality was obvious and Dinamo came away with the win. However, harder than expected.

90'+3 KRAJ!!! Dinamo - Flora 3:1 (Gavranović, Ademi 2x) ?????????????? Imamo europsku jesen u @EuropaLeague ! ????⚽️ #uel #dinamozagreb pic.twitter.com/dOtJoPHHUh

— GNK Dinamo (@gnkdinamo) October 1, 2020

In the second match on Thursday, Rijeka also secured a spot in the Europa League group stage thanks to a 1:0 (1-0) away win against Copenhagen, Denmark in the last qualifying round.

Rijeka reached the victory thanks to an own goal by Ankersen in the 20th minute.

Rijeka managed to withstand the pressure of the home side in the first 15 minutes, and then from the first offensive action to gain the advantage, which they kept until the end.

Although the match was mostly played in Rijeka's half, Copenhagen did not manage to create any dangerous scoring opportunities to thus give Rijeka the victory.

? Navijanje u svlačionici poveo je Damir Mišković, predsjednik HNK Rijeka, jedan od najzaslužnijih ljudi za uspjehe riječkog prvoligaša ?⚪#ZajednosmoRijeka #UEL #Krepatmanemolat pic.twitter.com/5HQHUwtYla

— NK Rijeka (@NKRijeka) October 1, 2020

The Europa League group draw will be held in Nyon at noon on Friday. 

For the latest travel info, bookmark our main travel info article, which is updated daily. 

Read the Croatian Travel Update in your language - now available in 24 languages

Join the Total Croatia Travel INFO Viber community.

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.

For the latest travel info, bookmark our main travel info article, which is updated daily. 

Read the Croatian Travel Update in your language - now available in 24 languages

Join the Total Croatia Travel INFO Viber community.

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.

For the latest travel info, bookmark our main travel info article, which is updated daily. 

Read the Croatian Travel Update in your language - now available in 24 languages

Join the Total Croatia Travel INFO Viber community.

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)

For the latest travel info, bookmark our main travel info article, which is updated daily. 

Read the Croatian Travel Update in your language - now available in 24 languages

Join the Total Croatia Travel INFO Viber community.

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

For the latest travel info, bookmark our main travel info article, which is updated daily. 

Read the Croatian Travel Update in your language - now available in 24 languages

Join the Total Croatia Travel INFO Viber community.

August 6, 2020 - UEFA will allow Balkan clubs from Croatia, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina to meet in the Champions League and Europa League qualifiers, with one exception.

Index.hr reports that UEFA has lifted restrictions that clubs from Croatia, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina cannot meet in the Champions League and Europa League qualifiers.

However, the rule that clubs from BiH and Serbia cannot play against Kosovo clubs still applies (and the same rule applies to national teams from before).

This practice was introduced in 2007 after the riots in Mostar at the match between Zrinjski and Partizan.

As the upcoming qualifiers of European competitions will be played in a changed format with only one match, and without the presence of spectators in the stands due to the coronavirus pandemic, UEFA has decided on this move.

Hajduk can thus play against Serbian representatives Vojvodina, Partizan and TSC Backa Topol, and Bosnian clubs Zrinjski, Zeljeznicar and Borac from Banja Luka.

Dinamo can draw Crvena Zvezda or Sarajevo in the qualifications for the Champions League, and Osijek can play against Zrinjski or Vojvodina in the qualifications for the Europa League.

This week (Friday and Saturday), the Champions League matches continue, and two matches will be important for the Croatian champion. Dinamo should start the competition in the 2nd qualifying round, but could also skip it if certain teams win in the quarterfinals of this season and qualify for the next edition of the elite European competition through the domestic championship.

This means that Dinamo will cheer for the rivals of Inter and Lyon in the Champions League round of 16 - Juventus and Barcelona. Napoli played 1:1 in the first meeting with Barcelona, and Lyon celebrated against Juventus 1:0. 

It is also important for Dinamo that if Napoli and Lyon do not win the Champions League, Ajax will be placed directly in the groups, and the Croatian champion will certainly be the leader in all qualifying rounds.

In the third round of qualifications for the Champions League, only one game will be played, a draw will decide the host, and Dinamo will be a top seed. Two games will be played in the playoffs, and Dinamo will be among the four top-seeded there (if Ajax goes directly to the group stage) with Red Bull, Olympiakos and Celtic. The third qualifying round draw is scheduled for August 31, 2020. 

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

July 27, 2020 - For the third time in history, Croatia will have two clubs in the Champions League qualifiers.

HRT reports that in the two attempts so far, Croatian clubs have not managed to win group competitions, and it will not be easy for Dinamo and Lokomotiva this season either.

Croatia had two clubs in the qualifications of the elite competition for the first time in the 1999/2000 season when the Croatian colors were defended by Dinamo, i.e., the then Croatia, and Rijeka. The Zagreb team was successful, while Rijeka was not.

The Blues had only one obstacle; in the third qualifying round, they knocked out the Hungarian club MTK and qualified for the group stage. After the 0:0 result in Zagreb, the team led by Osvaldo Ardiles won 2:0 in Budapest, and the hero of the match was the double scorer Josip Simic (58, 86).

Dinamo played in the group stage with Manchester United, Marseille and Sturm that season. Although they were the last in the group, the legendary “zero” at Old Trafford is still remembered.

Rijeka started the qualifications in the 2nd qualifying round, where they lost to Partizan. The Belgrade team celebrated 3:1 in front of their spectators, and in the return match at Kantrida with 3:0.

The following season, in the summer of 2000, Croatia also had two representatives in the Champions League qualifiers. They were Dinamo and Hajduk, and both clubs were eliminated.

Dinamo started as champions in the third qualifying round, but was knocked out by Milan. The Blues took the lead at San Siro in the first match with a goal by Renato Pilipovic in the 19th minute, but the Rossoneri turned the score around with three goals (Sevcenko 23, 42, Comandini 60).

Milan was convincing in the return match and celebrated 3:0 at Maksimir with goals by Shevchenko (23, 42) and Jose Maria (55).

Runner-up Hajduk started in the second qualifying round and was immediately shocked by Hungarian club Dunaffer (0:2, 2:2). The Hungarians won the first match at Poljud 2:0 (Tokoli 57, Eger 90), while the second match ended 2:2. In the return match, Hajduk led thanks to two goals by Mate Bilic (9, 28), but Dunaffer returned both times (Zavadszky 20, Tokoli 87).

Dinamo and Lokomotiva will fight in the third attempt for Croatian clubs in the elite competition. 

Dinamo will start the hunt for the Champions League from the second or third qualifying round.

If in the Champions League round of 16, Lyon is eliminated by Juventus on August 7, and Napoli a day later by Barcelona, ​​Dinamo will start their European journey in the third qualifying round. However, if at least one of the two clubs qualifies for the Final Eight, Dinamo will have to play the 2nd qualifying round.

The Blues will be the winners in both the second and third rounds, and perhaps in the final “play-off round”. Relegation in the Champions League play-offs brings a direct placement in the Europa League groups.

Lokomotiva starts from the 2nd round of qualifications, and it is inevitable that they will not be the top seed in the draw.

The name of their opponent will be known on August 10, and one game will be played, which is scheduled for August 25 or 26.

Relegation to the 2nd qualifying round of the Champions League brings placement to the 3rd qualifying round of the Europa League, however, if the Croatian runner-up skips the first hurdle in the qualifications, they will have guaranteed a European autumn. Namely, relegation in the 3rd round of the Champions League means direct placement in the Europa League group stage.

We emphasize that only one match will be played in all preliminary rounds, and a draw will decide the host. The only exception is the last, play-off round in which the standard two matches will be played.

The preliminary round of the Champions League will be played between August 8 and 11, the first qualifying round on August 18 and 19, the second on August 25 and 26, the third on September 15 and 16, and the playoffs on September 22 and 30. The group draw will be held in Athens on October 1, and the competition begins on October 20.

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

August 29, 2019 - Gent eliminated NK Rijeka at Rujevica Stadium on Thursday with a 3:2 aggregate, thus moving into the group stage of the Europa League.

Rijeka failed to advance to the group stage of the Europa League this season, reports Gol.hr.

After playing 1:1 against Belgian club Gent in the return match of the play-off round in Rujevica, they failed to come back from the 1:2 loss in Belgium in the first game a week ago. Rijeka led thanks to a goal by Puljić in the 32nd minute, but only two minutes later, Plastun equalized.

After half an hour of careful play on both sides, Rijeka came to a 1:0 advantage when Acosty found Puljić in the box, who shot from seven meters out into the back of the net. 

Unfortunately, Gent equalized immediately in the next attack. The ball came into Rijeka's penalty area and fell in front of Plastun, who, like Puljić, scored from seven meters out. 

In the rest of the match, Rijeka created several chances, but failed to score which would have taken the duel to an additional 30 minutes

Rijeka has thus ended their Europa League campaign this season. The club has failed to qualify for the Europa League group stage for the fourth time in six years

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

August 22, 2019 - Gent topped NK Rijeka 2:1 in the first leg of the Europa League play-off round in Belgium. 

In the first match of the Europa League play-offs, NK Rijeka was unlucky against Belgian club Gent, losing 2:1 away for a 1:0 aggregate, reports HRT.

Rijeka took the lead in the 40th minute thanks to a goal by Tibor Halilović, though, in the second half, Gent’s Laurent Depoitre managed a turnaround for the Belgian club with two goals in the 57th and 71st minute. 

Rijeka came to Gent with a clear goal - to achieve a result that gives them a chance to advance to the Europa League group stage. They let Gent keep possession of the ball, played disciplined, and all attempts by the Belgian club to threaten Rijeka's goal in the first half were unfruitful. 

The hosts had their only opportunity in the 36th minute after an error by Acosty.

Rijeka led in the 40th minute after Tibor Halilović played Čolak in the penalty area, though his back was to the goal. However, Čolak managed to lay off the ball to Halilović who shot from 10 meters out to give Rijeka the lead. 

At the start of the second half, Gent put even more pressure on the Rijeka defense. After two unsuccessful headers, Gent equalized in the 57th minute. Yaremchuk made his way through the left side and crossed into the penalty area where Laurent Depoitre scored for 1:1.

Gent's pressure once again produced a goal in the 71st minute thanks to a Depoitre header for 2:1.

The home side had their last chance at the 80th minute, though Yaremchuk's header went over the crossbar.

The return game in Rijeka will be played in one week. 

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page.