By winning their ninth national title, HŠK Zrinjski Mostar has once again secured a place in the qualifying rounds of the UEFA Champions League, the most prestigious club competition in Europe. As we prepare for a new European journey, here’s a recap of Zrinjski’s eight previous UCL qualification appearances:
1. 2005/2006 – 1st Qualifying Round
Opponent: F91 Dudelange (Luxembourg)
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1st leg (A): Dudelange 0:1 Zrinjski
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2nd leg (H): Zrinjski 0:4 (a.e.t.)
Zrinjski’s debut European campaign ended in heartbreak. Despite winning the first leg away with a goal by Boris Marić, the return in Mostar ended in disaster. Dudelange equalized the aggregate score in stoppage time before adding three more in extra time. It was a painful exit and a sign of the rebuilding that followed.
2. 2009/2010 – 2nd Qualifying Round
Opponent: ŠK Slovan Bratislava (Slovakia)
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1st leg (H): Zrinjski 1:0 (Kordić)
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2nd leg (A): Slovan 4:0
Despite a great home performance and a goal by Krešimir Kordić, Zrinjski couldn’t hold off Slovan in Bratislava. The Slovak champions comfortably overturned the deficit and advanced to face Olympiacos.
3. 2014/2015 – 2nd Qualifying Round
Opponent: NK Maribor (Slovenia)
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1st leg (H): 0:0
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2nd leg (A): Maribor 2:0
Under Branko Karačić, Zrinjski played a disciplined first leg but fell short in Slovenia, with Maribor progressing on their path toward the UCL group stage.
4. 2016/2017 – 2nd Qualifying Round
Opponent: Legia Warsaw (Poland)
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1st leg (H): 1:1
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2nd leg (A): Legia 2:0
Zrinjski gave a solid performance at home but couldn’t keep up with the Polish giants in the return leg. Legia went on to qualify for the group stage, just as Maribor had two years earlier.
5. 2017/2018 – 2nd Qualifying Round
Opponent: NK Maribor (again)
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1st leg (H): Zrinjski 1:2
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2nd leg (A): 1:1
A stoppage-time penalty from Marcos Tavares gave Maribor the edge in Mostar. Despite a strong performance in the return leg, Zrinjski couldn’t advance. This was the start of Blaž Slišković’s new run as head coach.
6. 2018/2019 – 1st Qualifying Round
Opponent: Spartak Trnava (Slovakia)
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1st leg (A): 0:1
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2nd leg (H): 1:1
With seeding finally on their side, Zrinjski were unlucky to face Spartak. Despite a strong showing at home, they were eliminated but continued in the UEFA Europa League, defeating Valletta (Malta) before falling to Ludogorets (Bulgaria).
7. 2022/2023 – 1st Qualifying Round
Opponent: Sheriff Tiraspol (Moldova)
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1st leg (H): 0:0
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2nd leg (A): 0:1 (own goal by Igor Savić)
Two tight legs decided by a single, unfortunate moment. Zrinjski once again came close, but Sheriff advanced thanks to an own goal.
8. 2023/2024 – 1st & 2nd Qualifying Rounds
Opponent (1st QR): FC Urartu (Armenia)
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1st leg (H): 1:0
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2nd leg (A): 2:3 (Zrinjski advanced after penalties)
Opponent (2nd QR): ŠK Slovan Bratislava (Slovakia)
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1st leg (H): 0:1
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2nd leg (A): 2:2
UCL run ends, but Zrinjski continues in UECL:
Opponent: Breidablik (Iceland) – 6:2 (H), 0:1 (A)
Zrinjski finally broke the spell and advanced past the first round of UCL qualifiers. After a dramatic aggregate win over Urartu (decided by penalties in Mostar), they were eliminated by Slovan but continued their European adventure by reaching the UEFA Europa Conference League group stage.
✅ Total UCL Qualifying Record
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8 Appearances
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1 Progression beyond the first opponent (2023)
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Most common opponent: Maribor (2 campaigns)
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Notable goalscorers: Krešimir Kordić, Boris Marić, Ognjen Todorović
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Notable coaches: Franjo Džidić, Dragan Jović, Branko Karačić, Vinko Marinović, Blaž Slišković, Sergej Jakirović, Krunoslav Rendulić
With the upcoming 2025/2026 qualifiers, Zrinjski will aim to build on their recent progress, armed with experience, stability—and belief that the group stage of the Champions League is no longer a dream, but a challenge worth chasing.
