Hajduk's women's team will compete in European competition for the first time in history, and their historic home match will be played in Solin, not at Poljud, due to the heavy load on the pitch.
For the first time in history, Hajduk's women's team is participating in European competitions this season, but their first home European match will not take place at Poljud. According to Index.hr, the current Croatian champions will host Danish side Fortuna Hjørring on Wednesday, August 26, at 5:30 PM at the Pokraj Jadra stadium in Solin.
The reason for the change of venue is the overworked pitch at Poljud. Due to the frequent matches and training sessions on Hajduk's main stadium during this part of the season, it was decided that the team, led by coach Damir Matulović, will play their historic European home match at NK Solin's stadium.
Hajduk began their European season in the Champions League qualifiers. In their first European appearance, they were defeated 3:2 by Austria Vienna at a mini-tournament in Slovenia. The Austrians took a 3-0 lead after just 18 minutes, but Janja Čanjevac and Gia Kalaš reduced the deficit and brought Hajduk back into the game.
In the third-place match, Hajduk then beat Slovenia's Mura 2-0, thus securing the continuation of their European season in the UEFA Women's Europa Cup. The draw pitted them against Fortuna Hjørring in the first qualifying round.
Fortuna is a very experienced European opponent. The Danish club reached the round of 16 of the Women's Europa Cup last season, and in the 2002/03 season, they played in the final of the then UEFA Women's Cup. On the other hand, Hajduk is one of the clubs participating in European competitions for the first time this season.
The first leg will be played in Solin, while the return match in Denmark is scheduled for September 2 at 6 PM. The winner of the two-legged tie between Hajduk and Fortuna will advance to the second qualifying round of the Women's Europa Cup.
