The Croatian footballing world has been turned upside down.
Not only has Dinamo Zagreb been bested in the HNL, giving up the championship for the first time in 12 years, they also gave way for the new champions, Rijeka, to win the Croatian double on Wednesday by relinquishing the Croatian Cup to them as well.
Rijeka have been crowned kings of Croatia twice this month, winning their first league title as well as their fourth Cup. The club has its eyes set on the Champions League now, while Dinamo will have to settle for Europa.
Statues will be erected in the likeness of coach Matjaz Kek, murals will be painted depicting the likes of Mario Gavranović, who scored two goals in the Cup final, as well as Franko Andrijašević, who scored a team-leading 16 goals in their championship campaign. Expect an influx of children born in Rijeka to bear the names Franko, Roman, and Mario in the coming nine months.
Dani Olmo was able to put Dinamo back level with Rijeka in the 37th minute, but that only split the time between Gavranović’s two goals. Rijeka was back on top in in the first minute of the second half.
Dario Župarić tacked on insurance in the 72nd minute to make history in Varaždin, securing the first-ever double for Rijeka.
The final European spot is given to the winner of the Cup. Since Rijeka is already slated to enter the Champions League qualifiers, and both Dinamo and third-placed Hajduk to Europa League qualifiers, that leaves fourth-place Osijek to take the honors of entering the early stages of the Europa League qualifiers. No other team may be as deserving of the consolation reward than Osijek, who not only held the first-place sport several weeks in the season, but defeated Dinamo and Hajduk this season, only losing out on third place by three points.
All spots are set but one.
HNK Cibalia will look to defend their first division status against Druga Liga runners up, HNK Gorica. The first leg of the relegation playoff kicks off at 2 pm EST on Sunday, June 4, with the return leg in Vinkovci at 2 pm Wednesday, June 6.
dfghj – not cool man . I don’t like dinamo, but no matter what you don’t do that shit to anyone. Talk to him , tell him f-u , but please don’t be a dick and try to hurt our, or others. This makes us look like terrible idiots.
zdravko mamic punched while on vacation, lol, love it, I hope next time some biker chick smashes gold digging severinas whore face and teeth in too, that would be great.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNkAdKO-SYA
Dupla kruna you pickice!
Ajmoooooooooo!
Rijeka #1
Hajduk in Europa league qualifiers
Osijek gets an opportunity as well.
This is very good for HNL and Croatia.
Kek is a World-Class manager.
I hope Rijeka invest in cultivating an elite youth academy.
I also hope they build a competitive team that has a shot to make it to the group stages.
Forza Fiume !
idemooooooooooo-idemo anyone but those cunts
As Cico would say – Thank God those lieing cheating Gov’s lost .. nice win Rijeka .
I don’t watch much of the Cro League – Are they an attacking team or defensive minded. In other words are they an entertaining team to watch?
Now they just need to win the CL and complete the treble.