The violent confrontation at Maksimir Stadium was the result of long-standing rivalries between the fans of Dinamo Zagreb, known as the Bad Blue Boys, and Red Star Belgrade's supporters, the Delije. This football match was eagerly anticipated and marked as a clash not only in sport but in national pride, reflecting the rising ethnic tensions in the region. The atmosphere in the stadium was electric yet charged with hostility, as both groups had history filled with altercations and grievances.

When the match began, the intensity quickly escalated. Flares were lit, chants filled the air, and soon fights broke out in the stands. The violence spilled from the stadium to the surrounding streets of Zagreb, with rival fans clashing against each other. Law enforcement struggled to maintain order as the situation escalated, resulting in several injuries and numerous arrests. This spectacle of violence drew national and international attention, with media coverage highlighting the state of football culture in the former Yugoslavia.

The riot was emblematic of the ethnic divisions that were further exacerbating during this period. It underscored the complexities of identity in an increasingly polarized society. This event can be seen as a microcosm of the broader socio-political issues that would soon engulf the region in conflict, serving as an ominous precursor to the subsequent violence of the Yugoslav Wars.