Rijeka II produced one of their most convincing home displays of the Prva Liga season on Sunday night, defeating Zeljeznicar 3-1 in a match that was far more controlled than the final scoreline might suggest. Playing in front of their own supporters at a packed hall, the hosts recovered from a second-set wobble to take the contest 25-21, 22-25, 25-19, 25-17 and claim a result that strengthens their position in the upper half of the table.

Opening set sets the tone

Rijeka II started with real intent, serving aggressively and forcing Zeljeznicar into a series of uncomfortable first-ball situations. The home side's block-read was sharp from the opening rallies, and their middles closed the line efficiently whenever the visitors tried to attack through position four. A run of four straight points midway through the set, built on two service aces and a booming transition kill from the right side, gave Rijeka II the cushion they needed to close it out 25-21.

Zeljeznicar respond in the second

The visitors were never going to roll over. Zeljeznicar tightened their reception, moved the ball faster to the pins, and began finding gaps behind the Rijeka block with well-disguised tips and sharp angles. The set remained tight into the twenties, but a couple of unforced attacking errors from the hosts handed Zeljeznicar the momentum, and they levelled the match with a 25-22 second set that suddenly made the contest feel much more open.

Rijeka II reclaim control after the break

Whatever was said at the interval worked. Rijeka II returned for the third set with a clearer plan: keep the serve deep and flat, contain the visitors' left-side attack, and let their setter involve the middles more frequently. The tactical shift paid off handsomely. A dominant run at the net, including three blocks in a five-point span, pushed Rijeka into a 16-10 lead, and the hosts never looked back, taking the set 25-19.

The fourth set followed a similar pattern. Zeljeznicar's passing deteriorated under sustained pressure, and Rijeka II's transition game became increasingly ruthless. The hosts' opposite hitter delivered several heavy swings from the back row, while the libero kept a series of difficult defensive balls alive to extend rallies. Rijeka closed the match 25-17 to seal a deserved three points.

Key moments

• A four-point serving run in the first set that gave Rijeka II the lead they would not surrender.
• Zeljeznicar's late surge in the second set, which briefly levelled the match at one set apiece.
• Three consecutive blocks early in the third set that broke the visitors' rhythm.
• A long rally in the fourth set, won by Rijeka after two spectacular defensive recoveries, that effectively ended Zeljeznicar's resistance.

Standout performers

Rijeka II's opposite was the match's leading scorer, combining power from the right side with a reliable block presence. Their setter deserves credit for a well-paced distribution that kept Zeljeznicar guessing all evening, while the libero's reception stability allowed the home side to run their preferred quick attack. For Zeljeznicar, the outside hitter was the standout, carrying much of the attacking load and repeatedly finding ways to score against a well-organised block.

Season impact

The victory adds valuable momentum to Rijeka II's Prva Liga campaign and reinforces their home-court strength, an important asset in a league where travel and tight schedules often decide the final standings. For Zeljeznicar, the defeat is a reminder that their form away from home remains inconsistent, though the second-set performance showed the quality they possess when their reception holds. Both sides now turn their attention to the next round, with Rijeka II looking to build on a performance that had all the hallmarks of a team finding its rhythm.