NK Varaždin has secured European football for the next season following a 1:1 draw with NK Lokomotiva in the 34th and final round of the Croatian First League. The match at Gradski stadion in Varaždin guaranteed the club at least a fourth-place finish and entry into the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers.
How did the match at Stadion Anđelko Herjavec unfold?
The home side took an early lead. In the 6th minute, Tavares played a return pass to Vuk, who found the net from the edge of the box to make it 1:0. Varaždin controlled the tempo in the first half but couldn't extend their advantage. Lokomotiva equalized in the 50th minute through Leon Belcar, a player who transferred from Varaždin to the Zagreb club last winter. "‘Svojima’ zabija Leon Belcar koji je prošle zime zamijenio Varaždin za Lokomotivu," reported the outlet varazdinski.net.hr.
Tavares had another notable chance later in the game, but his shot was blocked. The visitors pressed in the final ten minutes but failed to create a clear opportunity for a winning goal. The 1:1 scoreline held until the final whistle, securing Varaždin's objective. The club's next fixture is an away match against HNK Gorica on September 12, 2026, which you can follow on our fixtures page.
Why was this draw enough for European qualification?
Heading into the final round, Varaždin held a sufficient lead over their rivals to ensure that a single point would secure fourth place. The draw against Lokomotiva confirmed that position, which is a direct ticket to the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds. This marks the club's return to European competition after a long absence and represents a significant step forward. The first-team squad roster is available on our squad page.
What does the upcoming schedule look like for Varaždin?
With European qualification now officially secured, the club's focus shifts to preparations for the summer qualifiers and the new domestic season. The first official hurdle will be the away trip to Gorica in early September. This will be the first chance to see how the team functions with its new objectives. Securing fourth place in the HNL is one of the club's greatest achievements in recent history. Detailed season statistics are available on the stats page.
Finishing the season in fourth place also brings the financial benefits of European competition, which will allow the club to strengthen the squad for future challenges. The next step is the match against Gorica, which will mark the beginning of a new phase.
