When and where does Rijeka play the return leg against Ilves?

The match takes place on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at the Tammelan Stadion in Tampere, Finland.

What is the result from the first leg?

Rijeka won 1:0 at home with a goal from Niko Janković in the 16th minute.

What does a win in Finland bring for Rijeka?

Besides advancing to the Conference League play-offs, where they likely face Midtjylland, Rijeka would achieve a jubilee 50th European win under UEFA's umbrella, and coach Matjaž Kek would secure his 20th on the Whites' bench.

Which Rijeka players are on the verge of new records?

Toni Fruk could equal Kramarić at the top of Rijeka's all-time scoring list in European matches, and Niko Janković could become the club's best assist provider in Europe.

Football

Rijeka in Tampere Chase Jubilee 50th European Win Against Ilves

B.M. · Prije 20h | 3 min

Rijeka's footballers will visit Finland for the first time in club history on Thursday. The return leg of the third qualifying round of the Conference League against Ilves offers them a chance for a jubilee victory and a step closer to the play-offs.

Summary

Rijeka visits Finland for the first time in history, in the return leg against Ilves with a 1:0 lead.
Coach Matjaž Kek leads his 46th European match on Rijeka's bench, chasing his 20th win, while the club aims for its 50th overall.
Toni Fruk could equal Kramarić at the top of the scoring list, and Niko Janković could become the best assist provider in Europe.
The winner of this tie will most likely face Danish side Midtjylland in the Conference League play-offs.

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Rijeka's footballers will write a new chapter in club history on Thursday, August 13, 2026. For the first time ever, the Whites will play in Finland, where they face local side Ilves in the return leg of the third qualifying round of the Conference League.

The match takes place in Tampere, Finland's third-largest city, at the Tammelan Stadion with a capacity of 8,000. The home club was founded back in 1931 and boasts one league title from 1983 and four national cups, won in 1979, 1990, 2019, and 2023.

Minimal Advantage After Offensive Dominance

Rijeka travels to Finland with a 1:0 lead from the first leg, secured by a goal from returning player Niko Janković in the 16th minute. Although the scoreline suggests uncertainty, Rijeka completely outplayed their opponents on home turf. They fired 26 shots, 14 on target, but the visitors' goalkeeper Krkalić and the woodwork prevented a more convincing victory.

This will be Ilves' 27th European match in their history. The Finnish club's record so far is six wins, five draws, and 15 losses, with a goal difference of 32:59.

Kek Chases His 20th, Rijeka Their 50th

Coach Matjaž Kek will lead Rijeka in his 46th European match on the bench and has the chance to secure his 20th win. At the same time, the Whites are chasing a jubilee 50th victory in all competitions under UEFA's umbrella. For comparison, the second on the list for most European matches as Rijeka's coach is Kek's predecessor Victor Sanchez with nine matches.

If they get past Ilves, Rijeka will most likely face Danish side Midtjylland in the Conference League play-offs, who beat Irish side Bohemians 0:2 away in the first leg. Kek would thus try for the fourth time as Rijeka's coach to secure a place in the group stage of a European competition. Before him, Simon Rožman succeeded in the 2020/21 season and Radomir Đalović in the 2025/26 season.

Fruk and Janković on the Verge of New Records

Toni Fruk, who after Kvržić and Tomečak reached 30 European appearances and 2,325 minutes played, has the chance to equal Kramarić at the top of Rijeka's all-time scoring list in European matches. On the other hand, Niko Janković, the scorer of the only goal in the first leg, could become the Whites' best assist provider in European appearances. Rijeka is also chasing their 16th away win in Europe in Finland.