HNK Rijeka wrote a new page in its history, winning the second Croatian championship title after a dramatic end to the season. In the 36th round of the SuperSport HNL, Rijeka defeated Slaven Belupo with a score of 2:0 at the Rujevica Stadium in front of a packed crowd. Thus, thanks to a better head-to-head ratio with Dinamo, they reached the much-desired trophy.

Key moments of the decisive game

Date and place: May 25, 2025, Rujevica Stadium, Rijeka
Opponent: Slaven Belupo
Result: 2:0 for Rijeka
Scorers: Niko Janković (12′), Toni Fruk (51′)

Rijeka imposed the rhythm from the very beginning, controlled possession, and created opportunities, while Slaven Belupo was without real chances. The goalkeeper of Rijeka, Martin Zlomislić, made no serious interventions, which testifies to the hosts’ dominance.

In the last round, Dinamo beat Varaždin 1:0, but it was not enough for the title due to the worse mutual ratio with Rijeka. Hajduk secured third place with a narrow victory in Šibenik. Rijeka won the title despite a smaller budget and tighter rotation compared to its competitors.

Road to the title: key matches and reversals

During the season, Rijeka demonstrated exceptional stability, particularly in the second half of the championship, when they secured key victories in direct matches against Dinamo and Hajduk. The most crucial moment was the triumph against Dinamo in Maksimir, which secured the championship for the people of Rijeka. Despite the occasional oscillations, Rijeka showed character and maturity in the decisive moments.

Coach Radomir Đalović highlighted togetherness, work ethic, and faith in success as key factors in winning the title. After the referee’s final whistle, the fans flooded the Rujevica turf, celebrating the historic success and the team’s return to the top of Croatian football after an eight-year absence. As the champion of Croatia, Rijeka will represent the country in the second preliminary round of the Champions League next season.

This is the second title of Croatian champion for Rijeka, the first since the 2016/17 season. The title is a confirmation of the club’s excellent play, stability, and intelligent management, which, despite limited resources, surpassed more prosperous and favored rivals. This season will be written in golden letters in the history of the club and the city.

Rijeka deservedly won the title of Croatian champion in the 2024/25 season, confirming its quality, fighting spirit, and unity in a highly even league. The victory over Slaven Belupo in Rujevica was the culmination of a great season and a return to the top of Croatian football after an eight-year absence. This success further motivates the club and its fans to take on new challenges, including a potential appearance in the Champions League.