Introducing Sunday's opponents HNK Rijeka

They are currently in second place in the Croatian league having made it through to the group stage of the Europa League.

Rijeka were founded back in 1925 under the name of U.S.Fiumana. They changed their name to NK Rijeka in 1954, and advanced to the Yugoslav First League in the 1957–58 season. Rijeka remained in the top division until the 1969–70 season, when they were relegated to the Second League. Sunday's opponents topped their league many times but it wasn't until 1973–74 when they returned to the First League, where they would stay until the breakup of Yugoslavia.

Rijeka won the Yugoslav Cup in 1978 and 1979, was a runner-up in 1987, won the Croatian Cup in 2005 and in 2006, and was a runner-up in 1994. Rijeka was also the best placed Croatian club in the Yugoslav First League in 1965, 1984, and 1987. On numerous occasions, Rijeka participated in various UEFA competitions. Although it never advanced to the final stages of the competition, Rijeka played against some of the biggest clubs in the European football. The most notable results in Europe have been home wins against Real Madrid in 1984 and Stuttgart in 2013, a home draw against Juventus in 1980, and an away draw against Stuttgart, which secured Rijeka participation in the group stage of the 2013–14 UEFA Europa League.

Sunday's match will kick off at 16:30pm with the friendly taking place at the Estadio Benahavis. There will be a match report shortly after the final whistle. 

Author: David Rechnitzer

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