The Champions League dream is over. Rijeka have lost to Olympiacos after they are used as a steppingstone for the Greeks to enter the group stage for the 15th time in their history.
Rijeka’s European summer is not over though. They will enter the group stage of the Europa League, a competition that may not be as fulfilling, but certainly at a more imaginable level of competition.
The ending of a brilliant qualifying run came when Rijeka lost 1-0 to the visitors after falling 2-1 to them last week in Greece. Rijeka will hold their heads high after the impressive display they put on, but will settle for a consolation prize; yet it is a prize they will make the bet of. Rijeka will surely look to stun spectators with a thrilling run in their European season.
The next question is, who will join them?
Dinamo Zagreb dew 1-1 against Skenderbeu last week, but can definitely make it past them into the Europa group stages and Osijek fell 2-1 against Vienna last week, but will look to pull of a comeback on their return leg to Austria.
Hajduk Split have the toughest challenge of all, facing Everton Football Club after going down 2-0 last week, but the good news is, Torcida gets to welcome them home to Poljud, which will surely send a a little fear to the Englishmen.
Don’t count anyone out. There could be four Croatian clubs in Europe this year, and all matches will take place this Thrsday. Dinamo kicks off at 2 pm EST and Hajduk and Osijek follow at 3 p.m.
At the draw??? Listen this is the first time I have posted on this subject. I have no skin in on this Rijeka. Just making an observation. No need to be emotional about this and make stuff up. Sorry but now you are acting like a girl and misquoting and making stuff up. Not cool brother.
Long ago at the draw, there was a post but I don’t feel like going back its ok.
Can you point to where I said that quote?
Now your pouring out excuses after scraming from the mountains “if Rijeka can’t beat Olympiacos they don’t deserve CL” man you bend easily.
I know they are in europa league. Dinamo got them last year. Easy draw and got in. If Rijeka gets a team like them they are in champions league but they drew one of the hardest teams.
@ traditional Croat
Prva Liga is a feeder club to the wealthier clubs in Europe. If you are young and good you will be sold. These clubs survive on the transfer fees. I am surprised Rijeka kept up with Olympiakos in Greece. Amazing when you consider Olympians is ranked 28 in Europe and Rijeka is around 125. Night and day.
If Gorgon was a Croatian player you guys would be in a more blaming mood, misses an open header and then loses the ball in midfield which leads to the Serb scoring the winner, which maybe most communist Rijeka fans would’ve enjoyed.
Imagine Gorgon was Strinic!
First leg a stupid Greek Macedonian gets sent off leaving his brothers more than enough time to score the winner.
Was the fix in?
Croatian league is a shit little league, I’ll be honest I don’t usually watch the shit, but I did watch these two Rijeka games vs the Greeks on beIN sports and I thought Rijeka was stiff not to progress, and let’s not forget the selfish Romanian cigan with his pathetic miss when a clear pass and tap in was on offer.
just get Simunovic on the list from a flashy club like Celtic with more history in champions cup rather than pick up the guys from some local club who actually useless in any international games.
@croatianPerson85 ma brate pusti…..my typing has been fucked as well switching back and forth from 3 languages daily I didn’t even explain myself well enough no sleep as well
Wildfires all over Hercegovina and dalmacija
The Albanians are in Europa league it is impossible to get them in the draw I don’t think you quite understand.
Emotional? Nope. facts.
@idemo
That is correct. The team Dinamo is playing now they played them a few seasons ago and with the win qualified for CL. If Rijeka gets them instead of olym they are in CL. I think you are being harsh to think they would loose all the matches.
No need to get emotional about this. You seem to throw a hissy fit when someone doesn’t agree with you. Relax brother.
@ croatiansport85 well said. You fight and keep going. Only way a team improves is by playing the real competition.
@ soul champ I just about threw up, please don’t say you did it, you have to aim high and pass that message along to your son
Bog I Hrvati
@ Idemo
I usually have to hold your cynicism accountable.
But in this case I have to agree with you.
Rijeka were well deployed and simply did not have the quality to get passed Olympiacos.
Europa league will still have a quality clubs visiting Rijeka over the season which will be a nice boost for local economy.
Also the football will be an upgrade over most of HNL.
Rijeka should invest heavily into their youth academy and organically produce CL level players.
Celtic FC designed their youth set up for CL not SPL.
Dinamo … Mamić or not … produce CL super stars who lift the trophy annually.
Ajax is the gold standard.
If we truly want to see Rijeka grow and Croatia grow then they need to fill that new Stadion na Kantridu with young Croatian boys who are on the there way to compete in the champions league.
Way better deal to play for Rijeka then Dinamo if you want to be treated fairly in future career moves.
Eventually Rijeka will shift the national team set up.
@ Milan
I thoroughly enjoyed banging the “EL” picka back in the day.
I will enjoy my Thursday nights with them during this campaign.
Forza Fiume !
Good move for Kalinic, I’m bullish about AC Milan’s chances in Serie A this season, top 4 finish for sure in my opinion.
L.Bonucci, A.Conti, R.Rodriguez, L.Biglia, F.Kessie. Calhanoglu and now Kalinic, that’s some really good additions in my opinion!
I look forward to watching AC Milan this season!
@Soul-you were right 1-0
@all- Kalinic to Milan kind of sucks. With Rebic’s loan over, we could have seen Badelj, Rebic, & Kalinic all play at the same time.
^
I know who you are.
Trad Cro e-stupid
Armada what u say
@Idemo
“do you believe Rijeka are too good for EL? our friend Milan thinks if you can’t get past Olympiacos you shouldn’t be in CL”
Rijeka are not too good for the Europa League, they wont win the Europa League, nor would Olympiacos have won the Europa League had they’ve dropped into that competition.
But if you remember last season Dinamo beat Red Bull to make the UCL, the team Rijeka beat last round, so had they of beaten the Greeks they would’ve did more than Dinamo did last season to make the UCL. Rijeka fans would’ve had every reason to believe they could’ve did better than Dinamo did last season, no reason to believe they couldn’t have finished 3rd in a favourable group and still drop into the Europa League.
No, this is a bad result for Rijeka, no positives here.
How many teams in the UCL have a chance to win the title?
My hope was that Rijeka was one of those teams with no chance of winning it. Disappointing.
we had bad luck in the draw, olympiacos was the toughest draw.
we could beat any other team. I think the quality of the group isnt good enough to play such a team.
@Poglavnik
100% agreed. I’ve been pulling all nighters with work this week and I clearly didn’t thoroughly read Idemo’s comment.
For those posts I wrote earlier I became the guy who doesn’t read something fully and jumps to conclusions or creates something that wasn’t there. That’s what happens when you don’t get enough sleep. In my head I created this idea Idemo was saying Rijeka should aim for Europa league to avoid embarrassment when they were already in the CL playoffs for group stage meaning you need to now purposely lose. Water under the bridge – I don’t want to waste any more comments/people reading my run on comments about my previously incorrect point.
Europa league is where Cro teams belong.
Glad you guys could help correct me/keep me honest without getting nasty. Good on you. We need more of that on this site.
I need sleep. Cheers everyone.
Always aim to win but don’t let your hopes or expectations get in the way of reality.
@Idemo
My apologies – long day – misread something you typed. Thought you were implying they should aim for Europa league.
@Idemo
I get where you are coming from. CRO teams get demod in CL. We can all (most of us) can agree. So far we’re on the same page. This is where I am having difficultly understanding.
If you finish first and you qualify for CL playoffs you have 2 options.
A) try to qualify for the Champions Legaue and probably get rocked or
B) throw the game and try and lose so you can play in Europa league.
Why not just take it easy the whole year, save fresh legs and finish 2,3,4? Don’t you think this goes against the idea of what competitive sport is? I think CRO teams are better in Europa league, agreed, but then you literally have to try and lose is the point I am tying to make.
Those are literally your only options.
Which option do you pick? I see and understand what your saying, YES we do get smashed in CL. All I am saying is, you need to throw the game then to go to Europa league. That is the only option if you qualified for the CL playoff round but would rather play in the Europa league, no?
All I am saying is if you finish 1st, throwing the game is your only option. Am I wrong or are there other options I am not aware of? Again not being sarcastic here or a smart ass. I am seriously asking. Also, maybe I have pride issues but that’s just me, I personally couldn’t try to lose.
Who’s saying don’t try……? Where are you pulling that from…..all we are saying is that they are at the correct place that fits them.
@Poglavnik – I see your point but there is no way around not trying to compete and qualify for the top tournament.
Is there any solution? Other than trying to finish 2,3,4 or if you finish 1st, purposely trying to lose so you get sent to the Europa league.
Is there honestly any logical solution that does not involve trying to not win?
That’s not how life works people. I mean you can do that. It has happened before where teams/athletes try to lose so they get favourable opponents. You just become “that” person or team, that’s all.
Europa League is the right level for our clubs.
It’s just embarrassing watching any of our clubs in the Champions League.
@ milan
could you clarify your “if we drew the siptari” statement?
which siptari? the skenderbeu ones? the ones playing Dinamo? the ones in Europa League? because I don’t see any Albanian teams in CL knock out stage.
yeah I see your mind has always been in the right place.
@ Traditional Croat
at the end of the day its MY people. at the end of they were the team I was rooting for in that tie. in every tie. this is going down a slippery slope
why would I be happy they lost? so I can rub it in on a Internet forum? yea I aint Ziva.
because they had a chance thats why and you should take your chances and they couldn’t and this isn’t a failure.
so now I give you a question
so since Rijeka can’t play against Real Madrid, you believe they shouldn’t play against FC Drkadrkastan? do you believe Rijeka are too good for EL? our friend Milan thinks if you can’t get past Olympiacos you shouldn’t be in CL
@Idemo
“disappointed they went out but its reality. Europa league perfect for them.”
What do you mean by “disappointed,” do you mean that you’re happy Rijeka lost?
Why did you want Rijeka to play UCL this year?
@croatianperson85 part 2
How is it participation award thinking if you’re playing Europa with a decent chance to something in comparison to CL where your literally showing up to get paid (participation award)
If you’re playing to win how is a 9-0 defeat ok
After reading your comments again your genuinely contradicting yourself.
Don’t think it’s a cowards response as I was actually pulling for them, gotta be honest with yourself. Europa is good for them good for the time being
It’s like having a kid who sucks. Hope he makes the A team
Pull for him give it his all but if he’s a freshman shit Jv is ok.
I may sound like a dick but your logic is the same sensationalism I think a lot of Croatians/ children of Croatians have.
@croatianperson85
Nah you don’t sound like a dick at all
If realism is backwards by all means I’m backwards
Why do they need to play champions league this year? When was the last time they were in Europe? They ONLY thing they have to gain is money. The only expierence you learn by catching constant ass beatings is how to receive said ass beating again and again and again
In their history in all of CL they have 2 wins. TWO. Both came this season. Got to the tipping point of greatness. No point in being at the party if your not gonna have fun.
Nice deep run in Europa this year. Come back and give it a go again. Draw Arsenal get some expierence draw Everton get some expierence
Draw real? Get an embarrassment.
@milan didn’t even read your whole comment “bad draw” lol I’m pretty sure you were part of the “if Rijeka can’t beat Olympiacos they don’t deserve to be in CL brigade” I believe that’s enough for you boyo
@ Idemo
I see what you’re saying but you always play to win. What’s the point of even playing European football if you’re afraid of getting embarrassed? Zero logic, just my opinion not trying to be rude.
I may lose and lose badly so it’s best if I don’t play or even try? Is that basically what you’re saying ?
Next time they should just tell UEFA, “You know what, were afraid of qualifying for the more prestigious tournament and not winning a group game, scoring a goal or being embarrassed so let’s just cut straight to the Europa League.”
What if they get embarrassed in Europa League? Does that mean whichever Croatian teams qualify for Champions League and Europa league should now forfeit? Or relinquish their positioning in the Cro table to avoid entering these tournaments?
I know I am being harsh but it’s a cowards response. Sounds like participation award thinking.
I think any real athlete would rather lose 9-0 in the top tier to Real Madrid than win 3-2 in a shitty tier vs FC Drkadrkastan. You don’t coward out because you’re scared of losing. That’s for pussies and millenials.
I may sound like a dick but your logic is the exact backward thinking sometimes I think a lot of Croatian/children of Croats have.
Rijeka had a bad draw. If they played that Siptar team they would be in and at least two wins. Come on people we need to think big and strive for the best. MI smo Hrvati. If anything playing in europa league is a participation award for noit making the big league.
No one pays attention to it???? Maybe you casual football fans don’t but Ajax vs Man U final Sevilla vs Lpool ya piss of that way
Ah fuck nice try decki.
Runner up another 3.5 winner another 7.
You know I’m kind of tired of the finances argument of Europa vs Champions league
So regardless of wins in CL you get 12 million just for being there. For the sake of this argument and what I genuinely believe I don’t think Rijeka would get a win. Let’s say they said out two draws against the third place team at 500k a draw tbat brings it to 13 mil.
Jump to EL
you get 250k dropping from CL To EL
2.6 million guaranteed even if u lose every game
360k for every win 120 for a draw
6 group games I really think Rijeka can go 4-1-1
4×360 +120 call it 1.5 million
3.1+1.5= 4.6
I think they can win the group +600
5.2
Round of 32 for sure +500
5.7
Why not round of 16 + 7.5
6.5
Quarters +1
7.5
Semi finals sure stretching it 1.5
That’s 9 million.
Rather see them succeed and make a bit less then fucking get waxed in champions league
“Oh that’s the Croatian team” terrible representation. Collect your participation medal.
If you don’t think Rijeka can win Europa league then they shouldn’t be in champions league
the stupid thing here is when I recommend Simunovic for a decent call and someone just said it’s merely Celtic that below our local level! so hit the brick pal, don’t do such a shitty statement as LAknat being mention -> always right!
On another note, I hope the authorities find these assholes that did this shooting. Like the wild west over there. Could of been very serious if a stray bullet hit someone else. I hope the government stands up and has some balls and prosecutes these morons.
It is disappointing they went out. The first game they had but could not hold on. This team missed out big on the financial payout they would of received for making the champion round. Real shame and europa league is not perfect for them. Shit it is a crappy league that no one pays attention to. Financial compensation is one fifth of CL! Pathetic. Some of these teams don’t even care for it unless you win it all.
Europa league is the fat chick you bang but don’t tell anyone.
I was hoping at least one Croatian team could play with the big teams this year. No one.
where are the 3-5 posters on this site that attacked me circa 2 weeks ago the Rijeka belong in UCL the Rijeka are better than Olympiacos the Idemo doesn’t know shit Rijeka is good for UCL
disappointed they went out but its reality. Europa league perfect for them.
No way. He will avoid Split. Too many jugos in that part.
Icing on the cake….he’s gonna be cared for in split
I’m guessing there’s gonna be a massive festa in Split!
MAMIC SHOT IN THE LEG IN TOMISLAVGRAD
Lepo Belo Mleko
Forza Fiume!
Kek has the 1-0 game plan.