The ŽNK Osijek women’s football team staged a spectacular turnaround and celebration in the final of the Croatian Women’s Football Cup, played on May 21, 2025, at the ŠRC Kamen Ingrad stadium in Velika. After a penalty shootout, the Osijek women defeated ŽNK Hajduk Split with a score of 5:4 (2:2) and thus won their 20th trophy in this competition, the first after an eight-year wait.

Game progress

Hajduk took the lead in the 4th minute with a goal by Andrea Grebenar, and Branka Bagarić increased the lead in the 15th minute to 2:0. In the second half, Osijek came back with an own goal by Nina Brnić in the 48th minute, and just two minutes later Tereza Bednarova equalized to 2:2 with a beautiful shot. Despite both teams’ efforts, the score remained unchanged until the end of the regular period, so the winner was decided after a penalty shootout.

Penalty shootout

In seven penalty shootouts, both teams missed two shots each. The key moment came when 17-year-old Hajduk goalkeeper Ana Ristovski, who had been brilliant throughout the game, took responsibility for the seventh penalty. Still, her shot was saved by her teammate Ariana Anastasiadis, giving Osijek victory and a big celebration.

With this triumph, Osijek ended an eight-year fast without a Cup and once again confirmed its status as the most trophy-winning women’s football club in Croatia.

Hajduk lost its first trophy in history, despite a great start and a 2:0 lead.

Coach Špehar and the Osijek players highlighted unity, faith, and character as key to returning and winning the trophy. The celebration was grand, and the city of Osijek rewarded the team for their historic success.

The 2025 Croatian Women’s Cup final will be remembered for Osijek’s incredible comeback, the penalty shootout drama, and the grand celebration that followed after eight years of waiting for the trophy. This victory confirms the strength and tradition of women’s football in Osijek.