It’s been 45 long years since Rijeka last overwintered in Europe. The only previous time came back in the 1979/80 season, when Rijeka reached the quarter-finals of the Cup Winners’ Cup, where they were eventually knocked out by Italian giants Juventus.
Since then, the team from Kantrida — and from 2015, Rujevica — has never made it past the winter phase of European competition. They’ve tried their luck in the Champions League qualifiers three times without reaching the group stage, and in the UEFA Cup and Europa League, they’ve fallen short of advancing from the group in four attempts.
But this year, in their first-ever appearance in the UEFA Europa Conference League, Rijeka has finally broken the long-standing curse. After more than four decades, European spring football is returning to Rijeka.
After a goalless draw against Shakhtar on Thursday, Rijeka will fight for a place in the Round of 16 in February, with their next opponent to be determined in the January 16 draw. Possible rivals include Jagiellonia (Poland), who finished the league phase in 17th place, and Omonia (Cyprus), who ended 18th. Meanwhile, Shakhtar wrapped up their league phase with 13 points, finishing sixth and advancing directly to the Round of 16.
**Rijeka’s European journey**
Rijeka’s European journey began in 1979 under the leadership of Miroslav Blažević, opening against Belgian side Beerschot. After a goalless draw in the first leg, Rijeka triumphed 2–1 at home. The visitors took the lead in the 34th minute through Stanislaw Gzil, but Milan Radović equalized just before the break in the 44th, before striking again in the 89th minute to seal the win and progression.
The second round brought a clash with Lokomotíva Košice. Rijeka lost the first leg 0–2, with both goals scored by Kozak (29’, 39’). But in the return leg, Rijeka delivered a stunning 3–0 victory, with Damir Desnica producing the performance of a lifetime — scoring all three goals (2’ pen, 43’, 75’).
That result placed Rijeka among the elite eight in the European Cup Winners’ Cup, alongside giants such as Barcelona, Arsenal, Valencia — and their next opponent, Juventus.
At Kantrida, the match ended goalless, but Giovanni Trapattoni’s Juventus proved too strong in Turin, winning 2–0 and advancing to the semifinals thanks to goals from Franco Causio (5’) and Roberto Bettega (72’). Juve would later be knocked out by Arsenal, with Valencia claiming the title in the final.
**Match report**
Fast forward to Krakow on Thursday night, where Rijeka coach Victor Sánchez opted for a two-striker setup — Toni Fruk and Adou-Adjei — but the primary mission remained: defend actively and disrupt Shakhtar’s quick transitions. The Ukrainian side dominated possession, but Rijeka’s tactical discipline proved highly effective.
Shakhtar threatened as early as the 4th minute when Gomes found space, but Martin Zlomislić comfortably dealt with his tame effort. The hosts came closer in the 8th minute, when Ocheretko broke into the box and fired from a tight angle, only for Zlomislić to react superbly and push the ball out for a corner.
From then until halftime, Shakhtar struggled to create clear chances, while Rijeka, though defensively solid, failed to threaten meaningfully in the final third.
The second half opened with a flurry of opportunities on both ends. In the 48th minute, Eguinaldo unleashed a shot from 12 metres, but Zlomislić once again produced a fine save. Moments later, Rijeka’s pressing forced a defensive error that left Adou-Adjei in a promising position, but his effort from the edge of the box drifted just wide.
Rijeka came closest in the 65th minute, first through Ndockyt after a Menalo cross, then through Fruk in the follow-up. Neither could convert.
Although the match ended without goals, Rijeka accomplished their primary objective.
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