EURO 2020: Croatia to meet Slovakia in Rijeka, FA confirms

ZAGREB, 16 October 2019 – Croatia will meet Slovakia in their final EURO 2020 qualifying match on 16 November 2020. After a 1-1 draw with Wales on Sunday, Croatia now needs just one point from the final match to secure a place at EURO 2020. 

The match was scheduled to be played at HNK Rijeka stadium in Rijeka, but there had been speculation in the media this week that the match would be moved to Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb. 

On Wednesday the Croatian Football Federation issued a statement. 

“The Croatian Football Federation wants to end speculation on a possible change of venue for the match against Slovakia and confirms that the deciding match for EURO 2020 will be played on 16 November at the HNK Rijeka stadium, as originally decided. 

As the HNS Executive Board decided at a session held on July 11 this year, the Croatia-Slovakia match in the European Qualifications for EURO 2020 will be played in Rijeka. To recall, the Croatian national team needs a point in that match in order to secure a placement in the European Championship. 

Considering the extreme importance of the match, HNS management considered the possibility of playing in a larger stadium that could meet the expected interest of Croatian fans. However, the previously held view is that the qualifications will be played in the four largest Croatian cities and after Zagreb, Osijek and Split, the World Cup runners-up will be welcomed in this qualification cycle by Rijeka also.

The unique view of HNS is that the team in Rijeka will have ideal conditions for the preparations for the match and great support at the HNK Rijeka stadium. Ticket sales information will be published later on the HNS website,” the statement said.