Looking at Croatian first division side HNK Rijeka’s squad, it’s clear that the bulk of the players are from Croatia, with very few foreign players active in the fourth placed sides team and those signed to the club will most likely only be familiar to true experts. Aside from two players from Nigeria, four from Bosnia-Herzegovina, a Pole, a Belgian and a Slovenia the rest of the squad of the two time Croatian cup winners are locals. 

Another return for Fredi Bobic 

The club’s last cup success back in 2006 included none other than VfB’s Fredi Bobic – which makes the up-coming games very special for the former striker and current VfB board member: Rijeka was Bobic’s final station as a player: I am really happy about the draw but I somehow knew it would happen,” said Fredi Bobic after the draw was made. “Croatian football is known for having some great players”. 

Although VfB’s opponents are largely unknown, the task will be anything other than a walk in the park. In the current Europa League campaign, trainer Matjaz Kek’s side are unbeaten and cruised through the second qualifying round against Welsh club Prestatyn Town FC (5-0 and 3-0) before dispatching Slovakians MSK Zilina (2-1 and 1-1) in qualifying round three. The side coached by the former Slovenian national team trainer are also as yet unbeaten in their domestic league, with two wins and two draws, HNK are in fourth spot behind Lokomotiva Zagreb, Hadjuk Split and Dinamo Zagreb.