Hajduk's supporters urge full backing ahead of the key Conference League playoff against Raków, aware that the club has been waiting 16 years for a group stage appearance in European competition.
Just before one of Hajduk's most important European matches in recent times, Torcida has sent a strong message to its supporters. On Thursday at 9 PM, Hajduk will host Polish side Raków Częstochowa at Poljud in the first leg of the Conference League playoff, with the return leg scheduled for August 27 in Poland.
In a statement carried by Večernji list and Index.hr, Torcida calls on the entire Poljud crowd to set aside any discontent for all 90 minutes and give the team maximum support. "Let's leave frustrations, dissatisfaction, and whistles at home, and let the support be from the referee's first whistle to the last, on every stand, every individual, every palm, every throat," the message reads.
It is also emphasized that fans on the north stand must arrive an hour before kickoff to prepare the choreography. "No excuses, no phones or filming, just voice, palm, and scarf in hand," Torcida urges. Additionally, they stress that this is a match that has been anticipated with a host of emotions in recent days, and that all of this should be channeled into supporting Hajduk in this game and on a day that must end in victory.
Torcida reminds fans of the long period without European success. "Four years have passed since the last playoff, 16 years since the last group stage. Behind us are four years of shameful defeats and various 'pitiful' trips. It's a weight on the hearts of all fans that now needs to be lifted," the statement says.
Hajduk last played in the group stage of a European competition in the 2010/11 season under Stanko Poklepović, when they qualified for the Europa League group stage. Their last playoff appearance was in the 2022/23 season, when they were stopped by Spanish side Villarreal with an aggregate score of 6-2 (4-2 away, 2-0 at Poljud).
The clash with Raków also carries special fan significance. Torcida has maintained friendly ties with the fans of Górnik Zabrze for a decade, and Górnik is one of Raków's notable Polish rivals. In March, Górnik's Torcida, during a match against Raków, celebrated the tenth anniversary of their friendship with the Split group with a large choreography and flares.
The message ends with a call for unity: "FROM THE EAST, WEST, AND NORTH!" Torcida also stated that they must not allow all these words to be a pathetic shot in the dark, concluding with the call: "Let's lead the Whites to Europe!"
