Gonzalo García had insisted after the first leg that his players were capable of overcoming Raków, despite twice surrendering the lead in Split. His confidence was ultimately justified as Hajduk claimed a remarkable victory after extra time, securing their return to the league phase of a European competition for the first time in 16 years. The achievement represented a significant milestone for a club whose supporters have long dreamed of seeing their team competing regularly on the continental stage.
Speaking after the match, García struggled to hide his emotions. The Hajduk coach described his immense pride in the players and the atmosphere developing inside the dressing room. He acknowledged the enormous pressure that comes with representing a club of Hajduk's stature, where expectations are relentless and every result carries extraordinary significance. Yet rather than allowing that pressure to overwhelm them, his players demonstrated the courage and character required to overcome a difficult European opponent.
The emotional intensity of the occasion became particularly clear when García spoke about the team's mentality during extra time. He revealed that Niko Sigur had challenged his teammates to give absolutely everything in the second period of extra time if they wanted to qualify. For García, that determination symbolised the spirit he had been trying to build within the squad. Even after conceding twice while ahead during the contest, Hajduk refused to surrender their ambitions.
Perhaps the most touching moment of the evening came when García revealed that he and midfielder Rokas Pukštas had cried together following the final whistle. The coach spoke warmly about the young American international, whose expected departure made the achievement even more meaningful. Rather than focusing on the uncertainty surrounding the player's future, García celebrated his development and expressed pride in seeing him perform at such a high level on one of the biggest nights of the club's recent history.
Sigur's future was another subject raised by the Hajduk coach, who acknowledged that the midfielder could also be approaching a move away from Split. Both players have become important figures within the squad, and their commitment during the European qualification campaign demonstrated the connection between the team's emerging talent and its collective ambitions. For García, their mentality and determination were just as important as their technical qualities.
Beyond the celebrations, the victory highlighted the progress Hajduk had made under García's guidance. The coach emphasised that his players had remained committed to their footballing principles even when results and circumstances tested their confidence. He also spoke about the encouragement he had received from supporters in everyday life, explaining how conversations with people in Split had strengthened his belief that the team was moving in the right direction.
That connection between the players, coaching staff and supporters has been central to Hajduk's identity for generations. Few clubs in Croatian football operate under the same intensity of public expectation, and the emotional weight of representing Hajduk can be both a source of inspiration and a considerable burden. European qualification therefore represents more than a sporting accomplishment. It provides evidence that the squad can respond to pressure and deliver when the stakes are highest.
The victory over Raków also offers Hajduk an opportunity to strengthen their standing beyond domestic competition. Reaching the Conference League league phase brings additional European fixtures, increased international exposure and the chance to test the squad against opponents from across the continent. For a club with Hajduk's history and passionate following, returning to this stage carries particular significance.
However, García will also recognise that qualification is not the end of the journey. The challenges awaiting Hajduk in Europe will demand consistency, tactical discipline and the same fighting spirit that carried them through the decisive encounter in Poland. Maintaining momentum while managing potential changes within the squad will be essential as the season progresses.
For now, though, the overriding emotion is pride. Sixteen years of waiting ended with a dramatic victory, a dressing room united by belief and a coach visibly moved by what his players had achieved.
Hajduk travelled to Poland carrying the hopes of an entire city and returned with something their supporters had waited 16 years to celebrate. For Gonzalo García, the tears shared with his players captured the true meaning of the achievement: this was not simply qualification for Europe, but a defining moment for a team that refused to give up.
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