A sequence of massive white ribs wraps the stadium, giving rhythm to the façade and clearly expressing the building’s structural logic. Between the supports, open concourses, the seating structure and glazed public programmes remain visible, while the roof spreads radially toward the central opening. In the survey area, the modelled park develops across two levels: a central green axis links Maksimir and Borongaj, while an elevated landscape covers parts of the programme, forms plazas, recreation areas and planted roofs, and connects the stadium, swimming complex, athletics and sports halls.

In the third round, the jury eliminated projects that were well developed but generic, hermetic in their relationship with public space, insufficiently resolved in structural terms, financially demanding or unable to express the primary programme clearly.

A large proportion of the proposals offered a well-articulated but insufficiently specific response to the site and its legacy. A project that retained parts of the existing structure was considered particularly interesting, but this approach was not feasible because the structure had to be demolished due to identified structural deficiencies.