This season has seen a few surprises in European football leagues.
HNK Rijeka also shocked the continent when they lifted their first ever Croatian First Division title on Sunday. It is the first time the club in the coastal city would achieve such.
With two rounds of games left, the Croatian side needed to defeat lowly placed Cibalia to confirm their victory. Fans were hoping that the team would seal off the competition a little early and they did.
Mario Gavranovic scored a double within four minutes to set the pace. Roman Bezjak added another on the stroke of half time to send the hosts three goals up. The fans were already in celebration mode as the third goal was scored but Dario Zuparic sent the fans wild with the fourth goal of the match.
Ahead of the last game, Rijeka have five points ahead of their closest opponents, confirming that the title would come home this term for the first time.
Dinamo Zagreb have been the dominant force in Croatia but Rijeka are the new kings of the nation’s football league. Zagreb won the league title for 11 years in a row but that reign has ended.
In France, a youthful Monaco side ended the five-year run of giants Paris St Germain this term as well. AS Roma were not able to end Juventus’ run but it they fought hard to the end. More and more teams are focused on usurping dominant teams across Europe.
Rijeka has a chance to play in the Champions League now. They have finished as runners up multiple times but after winning the title, they would make Europe’s elite club competition. The fans were already celebrating in a big way ahead of the trophy presentation next weekend.