HNK Rijeka
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| Full name | Hrvatski Nogometni Klub Rijeka | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Riječki bijeli (Rijeka's Whites) | |||
| Founded | 29 July 1946 as NK Kvarner | |||
| Ground | Stadion Rujevica | |||
| Capacity | 6,011 | |||
| Owner |
Gabriele Volpi, via Stichting Social Sport Foundation (70%) City of Rijeka (30%) | |||
| Chairman |
 Damir Mišković | |||
| Manager |
 Matjaž Kek | |||
| League | Prva HNL | |||
| 2015–16 | Prva HNL, 2nd | |||
| Website | Club home page | |||
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Hrvatski Nogometni Klub Rijeka (English: Croatian Football Club Rijeka), commonly referred to as HNK Rijeka or simply Rijeka, is a Croatian football club, from the coastal city of Rijeka. During the reconstruction of Stadion Kantrida, their traditional home ground, Rijeka play their home matches at Stadion Rujevica. Rijeka's traditional home colours are all white.
The club was founded on 29 July 1946 as NK Kvarner, and changed its name to NK Rijeka on 3 June 1954.[1] Since its foundation, the club has won two Yugoslav Cup titles, three Croatian Football Cups, one Croatian Football Super Cup and the 1978 Balkans Cup. The club currently competes in Croatia's top division, Prva HNL, of which it has been a member since its foundation in 1992.
History
Origins
The club was founded as NK Kvarner in 1946, after Rijeka (known by its Italian name Fiume until 1945) was ceded from Italy to Yugoslavia following the end of World War II. Some dispute this and claim that the club's roots date back to 1926, the founding of U.S. Fiumana, which competed at various levels of the Italian Football Championship, including a season in the top tier competition (Divisione Nazionale) in 1928. Their claim is based on evidence that demonstrates a clear continuity between the two clubs. For example, besides using the same grounds (Stadion Kantrida), as many as eight U.S. Fiumana players later played for NK Kvarner.[2]
1946–1991
During the early period in Yugoslavia, Kvarner had moderate success in various Yugoslav and local club championships. They were relegated at the end of their inaugural season in the Yugoslav First League in 1946–47. Kvarner changed their name to NK Rijeka on 3 June 1954 and returned to the Yugoslav First League in 1958.[1] Rijeka remained in the top tier for eleven consecutive seasons, until 1969, when they were once again relegated to the Yugoslav Second League.[1] Despite finishing on top in four (out of five) seasons in the second tier, due to three failed qualifying attempts, the club only gained promotion back to the top tier in 1974. With varying success, Rijeka remained in top tier until the breakup of Yugoslavia in 1991.[1] The club's greatest success during this period involved back-to-back Yugoslav Cup titles in 1978 and 1979. Rijeka were also a Cup runner-up in 1987, when they lost the final after a penalty shoot-out.[3] In the Yugoslav First League, Rijeka never finished above the fourth place. In 1984, the club came closest to their first championship title, finishing only two points behind Red Star. Rijeka were also the best placed Croatian club in the Yugoslav First League in 1965, 1984 and 1987.[4]
Rijeka in the HNL
Following the breakup of Yugoslavia, in 1992, Rijeka joined the Croatian First League in its inaugural season. Rijeka remain one of only four clubs that have never been relegated. In terms of its greatest successes in this period, the club won three Croatian Cup titles, in 2005, 2006 and 2014, and was a runner-up in 1994.[5] In the Prva HNL, the club finished as runner-up on five occasions, in 1999, 2006, 2014, 2015 and 2016.[4] In the final round of the 1998–99 season, a refereeing error denied Rijeka their first championship title. With one match to go, Rijeka were one point ahead of Croatia Zagreb, needing a home win against Osijek to secure the title. With the match tied at 1–1, in the 89th minute, Rijeka forward Admir Hasančić converted a cross by Barnabás Sztipánovics. The packed Kantrida erupted in celebration. However, to their dismay, moments later, assistant referee Krečak raised his flag and referee Šupraha disallowed Rijeka's winning goal for alleged offside.[6] Following an investigation, 3D analysis revealed that Hasančić was not in an offside position (clear by 12 centimeters) and that Rijeka were wrongfully denied their first championship title.[7][8] An investigation by Nacional revealed that Franjo Tuđman, the President of the Republic of Croatia and an avid Croatia Zagreb supporter, earlier in 1999 ordered the country's intelligence agencies to spy on football referees, officials and journalists, with the aim of ensuring that the Zagreb club wins the league title.[9]
European record
Rijeka participated in UEFA competitions on 15 occasions. The greatest success was the quarter-final of the 1979–80 European Cup Winners' Cup, where they lost to Italian giants Juventus 2–0 on aggregate.[10] The most memorable result in Europe was the home win (3–1) against the eventual winners Real Madrid in the 1984–85 UEFA Cup.[11] Controversially, in the return leg at Santiago Bernabéu, which Rijeka lost 3–0, three of their players were sent off and the Belgian referee Roger Schoeters ensured that the eventual competition winner progressed to the next round. Madrid scored their first goal from a doubtful penalty in the 67th minute with Rijeka already down to ten men. Over the next ten minutes, two additional Rijeka players were sent off, most notably Damir Desnica. While Desnica received the first yellow card because he did not stop play after Schoeters blew his whistle; the second ensued because he, allegedly, insulted the referee. However, unbeknownst to the referee, Desnica had been a deaf-mute since birth.[4] With Rijeka reduced to eight players, Madrid scored two additional goals, progressed to the next round and eventually won the trophy. In 2013, by winning 4–3 on aggregate against Stuttgart from Germany, Rijeka qualified for the Group Stages of the 2013–14 UEFA Europa League.[12][13] Rijeka also participated in the Group Stages of the 2014–15 UEFA Europa League, where it defeated Feyenoord and Standard Liège, and drew with title-holders and eventual winners Sevilla.[14][15][16]
Private ownership
In February 2012, Gabriele Volpi, an Italian businessman, the founder of Orlean Invest, and also the owner of Spezia Calcio and Pro Recco, injected much needed capital into the club. With the privatization process complete by September 2013, Volpi, through Dutch-based Stichting Social Sport Foundation, became the owner of 70 percent of the club, with the City of Rijeka in control of the remaining 30 percent.[17][18]
Record transfer
In January 2015, Rijeka sold their star striker Andrej Kramarić to Leicester City for a club-record £9.7 million.[19]
Stadium
Until July 2015, Rijeka were based at Stadion Kantrida, their traditional home ground for over 60 years. With Kantrida awaiting demolition and reconstruction, since August 2015, Rijeka have been based at the newly-built Stadion Rujevica, with a seating capacity of 6,000. Rujevica is part of the club's new training camp and serves as their temporary home ground. Following the demolition of old Kantrida, a new, state of the art, stadium will be built at the same location. The commencement of construction of the 14,600 all-seater is scheduled for 2017.[20]
Support and rivalries
Rijeka's hardcore supporters are the so-called Armada Rijeka, or simply Armada. The ultras group has been active since 1987.
Rijeka's greatest rivalry is with Hajduk Split. Since 1946, the Adriatic derby is contested between the two most popular Croatian football clubs from the Adriatic coast, Rijeka and Hajduk. Other rivalries exist with Dinamo Zagreb and, on regional level, with Istra Pula. The origins of the Rijeka-Pula rivalry date back to the clashes between U.S. Fiumana and G.S.F. Grion Pola since the late 1920s.
Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors
| Period | Kit manufacturer | Shirt partner |
|---|---|---|
| 1998–1999 | Adidas | INA |
| 1999–2002 | Kronos | |
| 2002–2003 | Torpedo | |
| 2003–2004 | Lero | |
| 2004–2005 | Legea | |
| 2005–2006 | INA | |
| 2006–2008 | Kappa | Croatia Osiguranje |
| 2008–2012 | Jako | |
| 2012–2014 | Lotto | – |
| 2014– | Jako | – |
First-team squad
- As of 4 May 2016[21]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Out on loan
- As of 15 February 2016.[22]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Reserve squad (Rijeka II)
- As of 15 February 2016.[23]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Club officials
| Position | Staff |
|---|---|
| Honorary chairman |  Gabriele Volpi |
| Chairman | Damir Mišković |
| Vice-chairman | Dean Šćulac |
| Board chairman | Francesco Cuzzocrea |
| Managing director | Vlado Čohar |
| Club secretary | Marina Vela |
| Spokesperson | Sandra Nešić |
| Director of football | Srećko Juričić |
| Director of football (assistant) | Ivan Mance |
| Team manager | Radoslav Ljepojević |
| Manager | Matjaž Kek |
| Assistant manager | Danko Matrljan Vjekoslav Miletić |
| Rijeka II manager | Ranko Buketa |
| Fitness coach | Ugo Maranza |
| Goalkeeping coach | Mladen Žganjer |
| Chief scout | Ranko Buketa |
| Team doctor | Nataša Bakarčić Boban Dangubić |
| Physiotherapist | Igor Pavačić Alen Ilić Enio Krajač |
| Rehabilitation coach | Luka Brkljača |
| Kit manager |  Rustem Gashi Marcel Filip Račan |
| Academy director | Predrag Stilinović |
Last updated: 29 September 2015
Source: Club officials
Notable players
- To appear in this section a player must have satisfied all of the following three criteria:
- Played at least 100 first division games for the club;
- Scored at least 20 first division goals for the club if forward, 10 if midfielder and no goal requirement if defender or goalkeeper; and
- Played at least one international match for their national team while playing for Rijeka.
- Otherwise, also included are 30 of the club's top scorers and most capped players in the first division.
Source: Appearances and Goals. Last updated June 2015.
All Time Best 11
According to a 2005–07 survey of former players (older than 40 years of age) and respected journalists, Marinko Lazzarich found that the best all time team of Rijeka is as follows:
1. Jantoljak, 2. Milevoj, 3. Hrstić, 4. Radaković, 5. Radin, 6. Juričić, 7. Lukarić, 8. Gračan, 9. Osojnak, 10. Naumović, 11. Desnica.[24]
Rijeka's daily, Novi list, in 2011 declared the following 11 players as Rijeka's best all time team:
1. Jantoljak, 2. Šarić, 3. Radin, 4. Juričić, 5. Hrstić, 6. Loik, 7. Radaković, 8. Mladenović, 9. Naumović, 10. Skoblar, 11. Desnica.[25]
Managerial history
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Source: Presidents and managers
Presidents
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Source: Presidents and managers
Seasons, statistics and records
Honours
Rijeka won two Yugoslav Cup titles and three Croatian Cups. In European competitions, the club has reached the quarter-final of the Cup Winners' Cup in 1979–80, and UEFA Europa League Group Stage in 2013–14 and 2014–15. The club has also won the 1978 Balkans Cup.[26] In the following table, defunct competitions are listed in italics.
| Honours | No. | Years |
|---|---|---|
| League | ||
| Croatian First Football League Runners-up | 5 | 1998–99, 2005–06, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16 |
| Yugoslav First League Best placed Croatian club | 3 | 1964–65, 1983–84, 1986–87 |
| Yugoslav Second League Winners | 6 | 1952, 1957–58, 1969–70, 1970–71, 1971–72, 1973–74 |
| Domestic cups | ||
| Croatian Cup Winners | 3 | 2004–05, 2005–06, 2013–14 |
| Croatian Cup Runners-up | 1 | 1993–94 |
| Croatian Supercup Winners | 1 | 2014 |
| Croatian Supercup Runners-up | 2 | 2005, 2006 |
| Yugoslav Cup Winners | 2 | 1977–78, 1978–79 |
| Yugoslav Cup Runners-up | 1 | 1986–87 |
| Best European results | ||
| UEFA Europa League Group stage | 2 | 2013–14, 2014–15 |
| UEFA Cup Round of 32 | 1 | 1984–85 |
| UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Quarter-final | 1 | 1979–80 |
| Balkans Cup Winners | 1 | 1978 |
| Balkans Cup Runners-up | 1 | 1979 |
Source: Soccerway, Last updated May 2016.
Rankings
UEFA club coefficient ranking
(As of 5 May 2016), Source: Bert Kassies website
| Rank | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 125 |  C.F. Os Belenenses | 14.616 |
| 125 | Académica Coimbra | 14.616 |
| 127 | HNK Rijeka | 14.275 |
| 128 | .svg.png){kind=small} S.V. Zulte Waregem | 14.000 |
| 129 |  Esbjerg fB | 13.720 |
European record
By competition
| Competition | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Last season played |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UEFA Champions League | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 1999–2000 |
| UEFA Cup UEFA Europa League |
46 | 19 | 11 | 16 | 69 | 55 | 2015–16 |
| UEFA Cup Winners' Cup | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 8 | 9 | 1979–80 |
| UEFA Intertoto Cup | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 2008 |
| Total | 62 | 23 | 15 | 24 | 81 | 75 |
Source: uefa.com, Last updated on 23 July 2015.
Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against. Defunct competitions indicated in italics.
By ground
| Ground | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home | 31 | 18 | 8 | 5 | 55 | 28 | +27 |
| Away | 31 | 5 | 7 | 19 | 26 | 47 | −21 |
| Total | 62 | 23 | 15 | 24 | 81 | 75 | +6 |
Source: uefa.com, Last updated on 23 July 2015.
Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against.
By season
| Season | Competition | Round | Opponent | Home | Away | Agg. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962–63 | Intertoto Cup | Group B3 |
 Rot-Weiß Oberhausen |
2–1 | 3–4 | 1st out of 4 |
 Basel |
5–1 | 2–2 | ||||
 PSV Eindhoven |
3–1 | 3–2 | ||||
| QF |  Dozsa Pecs |
2–2 | 1–2 | 3–4 | ||
| 1965–66 | Intertoto Cup | Group B1 |
 Motor Jena |
0–3 | 1–3 | 4th out of 4 |
 Tatran Prešov |
0–0 | 1–3 | ||||
 Szombierki Bytom |
0–3 | 1–0 | ||||
| 1974–75 | Mitropa Cup | Group A |
Tatabánya |
3–1 | 1–3 | 2nd out of 3 |
 Wacker Innsbruck |
1–3 | 0–0 | ||||
| 1977 | Intertoto Cup | Group 6 |
Frem Kobenhavn |
2–2 | 0–2 | 3rd out of 4 |
| Ruch Chorzów |
0–1 | 4–2 | ||||
| Grazer AK |
1–1 | 3–0 | ||||
| 1978 | Balkans Cup | Group B |
Skënderbeu Korçë |
6–0 | 0–1 | 1st out of 3 |
 Aris Thessaloniki |
2–0 | 2–1 | ||||
| F |  Jiul Petroşani |
4–1 | 0–1 | 4–2 | ||
| 1978–79 | UEFA Cup Winners' Cup | R1 |  Wrexham |
3–0 | 0–2 | 3–2 |
| R2 | Beveren |
0–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | ||
| 1979–80 | Balkans Cup | Group A |
PAS Giannina |
2–1 | 3–1 | 1st out of 3 |
| Partizani Tirana |
3–0 | 1–4 | ||||
| F | Sportul Studențesc București |
1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | ||
| 1979–80 | UEFA Cup Winners' Cup | R1 | Germinal Beerschot |
2–1 | 0–0 | 2–1 |
| R2 | Lokomotiva Košice |
3–0 | 0–2 | 3–2 | ||
| QF | Juventus |
0–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | ||
| 1984–85 | UEFA Cup | R1 |  Valladolid |
4–1 | 0–1 | 4–2 |
| R2 | Real Madrid |
3–1 | 0–3 | 3–4 | ||
| 1985–86 | Mitropa Cup | SF | Debreceni |
0–1† | – | – |
| 3rd Place | Sigma Olomouc |
3–2† | – | – | ||
| 1986–87 | UEFA Cup | R1 | Standard Liège |
0–1 | 1–1 | 1–2 |
| 1999–2000 | UEFA Champions League | QR2 |  Partizan |
0–3 | 1–3 | 1–6 |
| 2000–01 | UEFA Cup | QR |  Valletta |
3–2 | 5–4 (aet) | 8–6 |
| R1 | Celta Vigo |
0–1 (aet) | 0–0 | 0–1 | ||
| 2002 | UEFA Intertoto Cup | R1 |  St Patrick's Athletic |
3–2 | 0–1 | 3–3 (a) |
| 2004–05 | UEFA Cup | QR2 |  Gençlerbirliği |
2–1 | 0–1 | 2–2 (a) |
| 2005–06 | UEFA Cup | QR2 |  Litex Lovech |
2–1 | 0–1 | 2–2 (a) |
| 2006–07 | UEFA Cup | QR1 |  Omonia |
2–2 | 1–2 | 3–4 |
| 2008 | UEFA Intertoto Cup | R1 |  Renova |
0–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 |
| 2009–10 | UEFA Europa League | QR2 |  Differdange |
3–0 | 0–1 | 3–1 |
| QR3 |  Metalist Kharkiv |
1–2 | 0–2 | 1–4 | ||
| 2013–14 | UEFA Europa League | QR2 | Prestatyn Town |
5–0 | 3–0 | 8–0 |
| QR3 |  Žilina |
2–1 | 1–1 | 3–2 | ||
| Playoff | Stuttgart |
2–1 | 2–2 | 4–3 | ||
| Group I | Vitória de Guimarães |
0–0 | 0–4 | 4th out of 4 | ||
| Real Betis |
1–1 | 0–0 | ||||
 Lyon |
1–1 | 0–1 | ||||
| 2014–15 | UEFA Europa League | QR2 | Ferencváros |
1–0 | 2–1 | 3–1 |
| QR3 |  Víkingur |
4–0 | 5–1 | 9–1 | ||
| Playoff |  Sheriff Tiraspol |
1–0 | 3–0 | 4–0 | ||
| Group G | Standard Liège |
2–0 | 0–2 | 3rd out of 4 | ||
| Sevilla |
2–2 | 0–1 | ||||
| Feyenoord |
3–1 | 0–2 | ||||
| 2015–16 | UEFA Europa League | QR2 |  Aberdeen |
0–3 | 2–2 | 2–5 |
| 2016–17 | UEFA Europa League | TBD | TBD | – | – | – |
Last updated on 1 May 2016.
Note: List includes matches played in competitions not endorsed by UEFA.
† Matches played at neutral ground in Ascoli and Pisa, Italy.
Player records
- Most appearances in UEFA club competitions: 24 appearances[27]
- Top scorer in UEFA club competitions: 8 goals[27]
References
- 1 2 3 4 HNK Rijeka. "Povijest" (in Croatian). HNK Rijeka official website. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
- ↑ "Split slavi, Zagreb izmišlja, Opatija ne zna, a Rijeka se srami" (in Croatian). RijekaDanas. 26 April 2011. Retrieved 2 March 2012.
- ↑ Puric; Schöggl; Stokkermans (8 May 2014). "Yugoslavia/Serbia and Montenegro – Cup Finals". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
- 1 2 3 Vivoda (16 July 2014). "HNK Rijeka: The Rise of the Phoenix". hocuri.com. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
- ↑ Stokkermans (26 September 2014). "Croatia – Cup Finals". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 26 September 2014.
- ↑ "Rijeka-Osijek 1:1" (in Croatian). HRnogomet.com. 26 May 1999. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
- ↑ Vidalina (1 June 2009). "Dokaz! Rijeci 1999. naslov prvaka definitivno ukraden" (in Croatian). 24 sata. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
- ↑ Bajruši (13 August 2002). "Dokumenti koji otkrivaju kako je Dinamo 1999. ukrao prvenstvo" (in Croatian). Nacional. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
- ↑ Bajruši (13 August 2002). "Dokumenti koji otkrivaju kako je Dinamo 1999. ukrao prvenstvo" (in Croatian). Nacional. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
- ↑ Stokkermans (9 January 2008). "Cup Winners' Cup 1979–80". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 9 January 2008.
- ↑ "24.10.1984: Rijeka – Real Madrid 3:1" (in Croatian). Armada Rijeka. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
- ↑ "Velika noć na Kantridi: Benko, Kvržić i Vargić za povijest" (in Croatian). Novi list. Retrieved 22 August 2013.
- ↑ "Stuttgart – Rijeka 2:2, bijeli u Europskoj ligi" (in Croatian). Novi list. Retrieved 29 August 2013.
- ↑ "Hat trick za povijesnu pobjedu u Europskoj ligi: Kramarić – Feyenoord 3:1" (in Croatian). Novi list. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
- ↑ "Blago nama, Moises i Krama: Bijeli u pola sata pomeli Standard" (in Croatian). Novi list. Retrieved 27 November 2014.
- ↑ "Peh u sudačkoj nadoknadi: Sevilla u posljednjim sekundama iščupala bod na Kantridi" (in Croatian). Novi list. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
- ↑ "Rijeka postala sportsko dioničko društvo: Volpi dao 54 milijuna kuna za 70 posto vlasništva" (in Croatian). Index.hr. 30 September 2013. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
- ↑ "Ownership". nk-rijeka.hr. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
- ↑ "Andrej Kramaric set to complete £9.7m move to Leicester from Rijeka". ESPN. 8 January 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
- ↑ Official Project Website
- ↑ "1. momčad" (in Croatian). HNK Rijeka. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
- ↑ "Players on Loan". HNK Rijeka.
- ↑ "Rijeka II". HNK Rijeka.
- ↑ Lazzarich, Marinko (2008) (in Croatian). Kantrida bijelih snova. Rijeka: Adamić. ISBN 978-953-219-393-0, p. 467.
- ↑ Cvijanović, Marko (29 August 2011). "Asevi s Kantride: Idealna momčad Rijeke". Novi List (in Croatian). Retrieved 2 March 2012.
- ↑ Stokkermans; Ionescu (29 July 2010). "Balkan Cup". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
- 1 2 "Rijeka profile". UEFA.com. Retrieved 10 September 2010.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to HNK Rijeka. |
- Official website (English) (Croatian)
Unofficial
- Hoću Ri (Croatian)
- Forza Fiume (Croatian)
Supporters
- Armada Rijeka official website (Croatian)
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