The football match between Varaždin and Vukovar ended with a 2:0 victory for Varaždin at the Gradski vrt stadium in the 35th round of the SHNL. Two goals for Vukovar were disallowed due to handball incidents. The winning goals for Varaždin were scored by David Puclin in the first-half injury time and Stipe Jurić in the second-half injury time. This win ensures Varaždin's participation in European competitions, while Vukovar faces relegation.

Nikola Šafarić, the coach of Varaždin, commented on the match: "This match has exhausted me more than anything else. I was aware of its importance, and I think the players were too, as it was evident we started poorly. Vukovar performed better in the first half, and it was purely coincidental that we led at halftime. There was a bit of elevated tension in the locker room, and we just needed to wake up. In the second half, we were much better and could have secured the win earlier."

On Qualifying for Europe

The club has achieved outstanding results for two consecutive years. Qualifying for European competitions is a significant feat, and if we continue to work in this manner, I believe we can keep our fans entertained for a long time. The fans are demanding, but I don't think they fully grasp the quality of the club and all the work that goes into it. I hope they will recognize this in the final match and come in large numbers to reward the players for their superb achievements.

On Emotions

There was a significant emotional release in the locker room after the match, which is understandable after such a significant victory. However, it will take time for everything to sink in. These are not small accomplishments. We constantly emphasize our budget, infrastructure investment, and the investment in the club. I believe we are a good example for other clubs on the path they should follow.

On Future Prospects

For the next season, we start from scratch. Upgrading is possible if we maintain the current roster and bring in three to four quality players to raise the team's level. We know how Croatian clubs function, and we must sell. If we sell, we are likely selling our best players, and then we must find equally quality replacements inexpensively or for free, which is not easy. This is why we are starting from scratch for the next season. For an upgrade, we need additional financial resources to retain our current roster.