HISTORIC SUCCESS: REPRESENTATION OF CENTER RIJEKA TOOK BRONZE MEDAL AT UEFA REGION CUP
The amateur Rijeka national team achieved an exceptional result at the end of the 2025 UEFA Regions Cup, winning a bronze medal and making history in Croatian amateur football. The tournament was held in San Marino, and Rijeka reached the honors with a dramatic victory against the Swiss Vaud (3:2) in the last round of the group.
Dramatic ending and historical twist
In the decisive match of the group, Rijeka was losing 0:2 at halftime, after goals from Hanchour (11′) and Grand (45’+5′, penalty) for Vaud.
In the second half, Rijeka showed its character: Luka Hodak reduced the score to 1:2 in the 52nd minute.
The real drama unfolded in stoppage time: Marino Matković scored two goals (93′, 94′) and brought the people of Rijeka a turnaround, their first victory, and a second-place finish in the group, which secured them the bronze medal.
Competition system and ranking
The match for third place is not played – the bronze medals went to the second-placed teams from both groups.
Rijeka finished the competition in second place in Group B, behind Poland’s Dolnośląski, who achieved maximum performance and ultimately won the silver.
The group also featured Swiss Vaud and Finnish Länsi-Vantaan Ylpeys.
Tablica skupine B (završni poredak)
| POSITION | TEAM | WON | DRAW | LOST | GOAL DIFFERENCE | POINTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Dolnośląski (POL) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4:1 | 9 |
| 2. | Rijeka (CRO) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4:4 | 4 |
| 3. | Vaud (SUI) | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5:6 | 3 |
| 4. | Länsi-Vantaan (FIN) | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4:6 | 1 |
The best individuals and team
Marino Matković was the hero of the match, scoring two goals in stoppage time, and with a total of four goals, he was among the top scorers of the final tournament.
Mate Ivetić also stood out during the entire competition, with four goals in the qualifiers and the final.
The squad of Croatia against Vaud: Nicoletti, Salihović (65′ Stojković), Lagumdžija, Kosić, Mofardin, Znamenaček (46′ Matković), L. Hodak, Šimić (75′ Maružin), Bogdanić (46′ Žulić), Antanasković (46′ Batarelo), Ivetić.
Historical context and significance of success
This is Croatia’s second medal at the UEFA Regions Cup. After Zagreb‘s selection won the title of European champion in 2017, Rijeka has now won bronze and once again confirmed the quality of Croatian amateur football.
The tournament brings together the best amateur teams in Europe, and with this result, Rijeka has entered the continent’s most successful regions.
Završni poredak UEFA Kupa regija 2025.:
| MEDAL | TEAM |
|---|---|
| Gold | Aragón (Spain) |
| Silver | Dolnośląski (Poland) |
| Bronze | Rijeka (Croatia), FA Vojvodina (Serbia) |
The Rijeka team achieved historic success, showed exceptional character and combativeness, and deservedly won a bronze medal at the most prestigious European competition for amateur soccer players. This result additionally confirms the strength and potential of Croatian soccer at all levels.
