After lifting the trophy, Celje receives a gift from Hungary

Even though NK Celje stumbled in their final home game of the season, losing to Koper, the atmosphere in Celje is jubilant. The club has secured its third PrvaLiga title, a remarkable achievement that cements its place in Slovenian football history. The championship was largely secured during the autumn part of the season under coach Albert Riera, with prolific striker Franko Kovačević leading the charge.

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Even though they lost their final match of the season against Koper, positive energy prevails in Celje today.

Kovačević's winter transfer to Ferencváros in Hungary, however, presented a challenge. While he scored six goals for his new club, his performance wasn't enough to help Ferencváros clinch the Hungarian league title, which went to Győr by a single point. This outcome, however, unexpectedly benefited Celje. Because Győr, the Hungarian champions, have a lower UEFA coefficient than Celje, the Slovenian champions automatically qualify for the second qualifying round of the Champions League, bypassing the first round.

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The title was practically earned in the autumn part of the championship when Albert Riera was still on the bench, and Franko Kovačević was scoring goals like clockwork.

This qualification is a significant boost for Celje, allowing them to avoid an extra, demanding hurdle in their quest for European glory. The club's strong performance throughout the season, particularly in the first half, laid the foundation for this success. The higher UEFA coefficient is a direct result of consistent European participation and performance over the years, a testament to the club's growing stature.

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Ferencváros, led by former excellent Irish footballer Robbie Keane, has a higher coefficient in the UEFA rankings than Celje.

Adding to the celebratory mood, former Celje star Aljoša Matko, who transferred to Hungary last year, shared the top scorer title in the Hungarian league. Matko, who was also the top scorer in the Slovenian PrvaLiga during Celje's previous championship win in the 2023/24 season, netted 17 goals for Ujpest. This individual accolade further highlights the talent that has emerged from Celje and contributed to their recent successes.

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Matko was the top scorer in the first Slovenian football league in the 2023/24 season, contributing 18 goals during Celje's second championship title.