Croatia national under-21 football team
Nickname(s) | Mladi Vatreni (The Young Blazers) | ||
---|---|---|---|
Association | Croatian Football Federation (HNS) | ||
Confederation | UEFA (Europe) | ||
Head coach | Ivica Olić | ||
Captain | Bartol Franjić | ||
Most caps | Luka Ivanušec (28) | ||
Top scorer | Tomislav Bušić (13) | ||
FIFA code | CRO | ||
| |||
First international | |||
![]() ![]() | |||
Biggest win | |||
![]() ![]() | |||
Biggest defeat | |||
![]() ![]() | |||
UEFA U-21 Championship | |||
Appearances | 5 (first in 2000) | ||
Best result | Quarter-finals (2021) | ||
Website | hns-cff.hr |
The Croatia national under-21 football team represents Croatia in international football matches for players 21 or under. It is governed by the Croatian Football Federation, the governing body for football in Croatia. It is a member of UEFA in Europe and FIFA in global competitions. The team's colours reference two national symbols: the Croatian checkerboard and the country's tricolour. They are colloquially referred to as the Mladi vatreni ('Young Blazers'). So far, the Mladi vatreni qualified for five UEFA European Under-21 Championships, namely in 2000, 2004, 2019, 2021 and 2023. Croatia was unable to pass the group stage until the 2021 Euro when it was eliminated in the quarter-finals, its greatest accomplishment in the European competition so far.
Recent results and fixtures
[edit]The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
Win Draw Loss Fixture
2023
[edit]23 March 2023 Friendly | Croatia ![]() | 0–0 | ![]() | Varaždin, Croatia |
18:00 (UTC+02:00) | Report |
| Stadium: Stadion Varteks Referee: Toni Dadić (Croatia) |
28 March 2023 Friendly | England ![]() | 1–2 | ![]() | London, England |
19:45 (UTC+01:00) |
| Stadium: Craven Cottage |
21 June 2023 2023 Euro Gr B | Ukraine ![]() | 2–0 | ![]() | Bucharest, Romania |
19:00 | Report | Stadium: Superbet Arena Referee: Mohammed Al-Hakim (SWE) Assistant referees: Fredrik Klyver (SWE) Max Robin Wilde (SWE) Fourth official: Andrei Chivulete (ROU) |
24 June 2023 2023 Euro Gr B | Spain ![]() | 1–0 | ![]() | Bucharest, Romania |
21:45 |
| Report | Stadium: Superbet Arena Referee: Allard Lindhout (NED) Assistant referees: Rogier Honig (NED) Patrick Inia (NED) Fourth official: João Pinheiro (POR) |
27 June 2023 2023 Euro Gr B | Croatia ![]() | 0–0 | ![]() | Bucharest, Romania |
21:45 | Report |
| Stadium: Stadionul Steaua Referee: João Pinheiro (POR) Assistant referees: Bruno Jesus (POR) Luciano Maia (POR) Fourth official: Allard Lindhout (NED) |
12 September 2023 Euro 2025 qualif Gr G | Faroe Islands ![]() | 2–4 | ![]() | Klaksvík, Faroe Islands |
| Report | Stadium: Við Djúpumýrar Referee: Jérémy Muller (LUX) Assistant referees: Claude Ries (LUX) Rafael Morim (LUX) Fourth official: Cédric Biever (LUX) |
13 October 2023 Euro 2025 qualif Gr G | Greece ![]() | 2–2 | ![]() | Tripoli, Greece |
16:00 | Report | Stadium: Theodoros Kolokotronis Stadium Attendance: 1,250 Referee: Tom Owen (WAL) Assistant referees: Johnathon Bryant (WAL) Ian David Bird (WAL) Fourth official: John Andrew Jones (WAL) |
17 October 2023 Euro 2025 qualif Gr G | Croatia ![]() | 2–0 | ![]() | Velika Gorica, Croatia |
17:30 | Report | Stadium: Stadion Radnik Referee: Igor Stojchevski (MKD) Assistant referees: Goce Petreski (MKD) Slagjan Markoski (MKD) Fourth official: Trpchevski Stojancho (MKD) |
16 November 2023 Friendly | Slovakia ![]() | 2–2 | ![]() | Nitra, Slovakia |
Report | Stadium: Štadión pod Zoborom Referee: Ferenc Karakó (HUN) |
20 November 2023 Euro 2025 qualif Gr G | Belarus ![]() | 0–1 | ![]() | Armavir, Armenia[note 1] |
11:00 |
| Report | Stadium: Armavir City Stadium Attendance: 0[note 1] Referee: Peter Kralović (SVK) Assistant referees: Milan Štrbo (SVK) Matej Zemko (SVK) Fourth official: Peter Ziemba (SVK) |
2024
[edit]21 March 2024 Euro 2025 qualif Gr G | Andorra ![]() | v | ![]() |
26 March 2024 Euro 2025 qualif Gr G | Portugal ![]() | v | ![]() |
5 September 2024 Euro 2025 qualif Gr G | Croatia ![]() | v | ![]() |
10 September 2024 Euro 2025 qualif Gr G | Croatia ![]() | v | ![]() |
11 October 2024 Euro 2025 qualif Gr G | Croatia ![]() | v | ![]() |
15 October 2024 Euro 2025 qualif Gr G | Croatia ![]() | v | ![]() |
Coaching staff
[edit]Current coaching staff
[edit]Position | Name[2] |
---|---|
Head coach | ![]() |
Assistant coaches | ![]() ![]() |
Goalkeeping coach | ![]() |
Fitness coaches | ![]() ![]() |
Analyst | ![]() |
Doctors | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Physiotherapists | ![]() |
Technical secretary | ![]() |
Kit men | ![]() ![]() |
Players
[edit]Current squad
[edit]- The following players were called up for the friendly matches.[3]
- Match dates: 7–11 June 2024
- Opposition:
Sweden and
Republic of Ireland
- Caps and goals correct as of: 26 March 2026, after the match against
Portugal
Recent call-ups
[edit]The following players have also been called up to the squad in the last 12 months and are still eligible for selection.
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Tin Sajko | 7 March 2004 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | v. ![]() |
DF | Antonio Tikvić | 21 April 2004 | 3 | 0 | ![]() | v. ![]() |
DF | Juraj Badelj | 24 August 2003 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | v. ![]() |
MF | Niko Rak | 26 July 2003 | 1 | 0 | ![]() | v. ![]() |
MF | Marko Soldo | 22 November 2003 | 1 | 0 | ![]() | v. ![]() |
MF | Martin Baturina SEN | 16 February 2003 | 14 | 2 | ![]() | v. ![]() |
MF | Luka Sučić SEN | 8 September 2002 | 11 | 6 | ![]() | v. ![]() |
MF | Marko Capan | 24 February 2004 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | v. ![]() |
MF | Luka Stojković INJ | 28 October 2003 | 5 | 0 | ![]() | v. ![]() |
MF | Lukas Kačavenda INJ | 2 March 2003 | 12 | 1 | ![]() | v. ![]() |
FW | Mateo Lisica | 9 July 2003 | 3 | 0 | ![]() | v. ![]() |
FW | Dion Drena Beljo | 1 March 2002 | 11 | 2 | ![]() | v. ![]() |
FW | Franjo Ivanović | 1 October 2003 | 4 | 0 | ![]() | v. ![]() |
FW | Roko Šimić | 10 September 2003 | 19 | 8 | ![]() | v. ![]() |
|
Competitive record
[edit] Champions
Runners-up
Third place
Fourth place
Tournament played fully or partially on home soil
UEFA European Under-21 Championship
[edit]UEFA European Under-21 Championship record | Qualifications record | ||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Squad | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Manager | ||
1978 | Part of ![]() | ||||||||||||||||||
1980 | |||||||||||||||||||
1982 | |||||||||||||||||||
1984 | |||||||||||||||||||
1986 | |||||||||||||||||||
1988 | |||||||||||||||||||
1990 | |||||||||||||||||||
1992 | Not a UEFA member | ||||||||||||||||||
![]() | Not a UEFA member during qualifiers | ||||||||||||||||||
![]() | Did not qualify | 4/6 | 10 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 13 | 12 | Martin Novoselac | ||||||||||
![]() | 3/5 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 13 | 9 | Ivo Šušak | |||||||||||
![]() | Group stage | 7/8 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | Squad | 1/5 | 10 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 28 | 9 | Ivo Šušak | ||
![]() | Did not qualify | 2/4OFF | 8 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 10 | 7 | Martin Novoselac | ||||||||||
![]() | Group stage | 7/8 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | Squad | 1/4 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 5 | Martin Novoselac | ||
![]() | Did not qualify | 1/6OFF | 12 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 16 | 11 | Slaven Bilić | ||||||||||
![]() | 3/3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | Dražen Ladić | |||||||||||
![]() | 2/6 | 10 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 20 | 12 | Dražen Ladić | |||||||||||
![]() | 1/5OFF | 10 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 18 | 15 | Dražen Ladić | |||||||||||
![]() | 4/5 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 16 | Ivo Šušak | |||||||||||
![]() | 1/5OFF | 10 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 22 | 9 | Niko Kovač / Nenad Gračan | |||||||||||
![]() | 3/6 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 24 | 11 | Nenad Gračan | |||||||||||
![]() | Group stage | 10/12 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 8 | Squad | 1/6 | 10 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 31 | 5 | Nenad Gračan | ||
![]() ![]() | Quarter-finals | 7/16 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 7 | Squad 1 / Squad 2 | 2/6 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 37 | 7 | Nenad Gračan/Igor Bišćan | ||
![]() ![]() | Group stage | 14/16 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | Squad | 1/6 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 19 | 7 | Igor Bišćan/Dragan Skočić | ||
![]() | To be determined | 3/6 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 4 | Dragan Skočić | ||||||||||
Total | Quarter-finals | 5/24 | 16 | 1 | 4 | 11 | 16 | 29 | 137 | 79 | 23 | 35 | 276 | 141 |
Draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out; correct as of 20 November 2023 after the match against Belarus.
Matches | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
First match | ![]() ![]() (Trnava, Slovakia; 27 May 2000) | ||||
Biggest win | ![]() ![]() (Koper, Slovenia; 28 March 2021) | ||||
Biggest defeat | ![]() ![]() (Serravalle, San Marino; 18 June 2019) |
- Notes
- OFF = Lost in play-offs.
Statistics
[edit]Managers
[edit]The following table provides a summary of the complete record of each manager including their results regarding European Under-21 Championship.
- Key: Pld–games played, W–games won, D–games drawn; L–games lost, %–win percentage
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/90/Slaven_Bilic_0410_1.jpg/225px-Slaven_Bilic_0410_1.jpg)
Manager | Tenure | Pld | W | D | L | Win % | Tournaments |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 1994–1996 2000–2004 | 54 | 19 | 20 | 15 | 35.2 | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() | 1997–2000 2011–2013 | 38 | 18 | 6 | 14 | 47.4 | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() | 2004–2006 | 20 | 11 | 3 | 6 | 55.0 | ![]() |
![]() | 2005 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.0 | ![]() |
![]() | 2005 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.0 | ![]() |
![]() | 2005 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | — |
![]() | 2006–2011 | 32 | 20 | 6 | 6 | 62.50 | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() | 2013 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 71.4 | — |
![]() | 2013–2019 | 41 | 21 | 9 | 11 | 51.2 | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() | 2019–2023 | 30 | 18 | 5 | 7 | 60.0 | ![]() |
![]() | 2023– | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 37.5 | ![]() |
Last updated: Croatia vs Belarus, 20 November 2023. Statistics include official FIFA-recognised matches only.
Most capped players
[edit]- Players in bold are still active with Croatia.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b8/Luka_Ivanu%C5%A1ec_2021.jpg/220px-Luka_Ivanu%C5%A1ec_2021.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/74/Dejan_Lovren_Croatia.jpg/220px-Dejan_Lovren_Croatia.jpg)
# | Name | Career | Caps | Goals |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Luka Ivanušec | 2017–2021 | 28 | 10 |
2 | Tomislav Vranjić | 2002–2005 | 26 | 0 |
3 | Tomislav Bušić | 2005–2008 | 25 | 12 |
4 | Nikola Moro | 2017–2021 | 24 | 6 |
5 | Josip Tadić | 2005–2008 | 22 | 5 |
6 | Ivan Leko | 1994–2000 | 21 | 5 |
Mato Jajalo | 2007–2010 | 4 | ||
8 | Tomo Šokota | 1997–2000 | 19 | 10 |
Roko Šimić | 2021– | 8 | ||
Nikola Vlašić | 2015–2019 | 7 | ||
Lovro Majer | 2017–2021 | 5 | ||
Davor Vugrinec | 1994–1997 | 3 | ||
Dejan Lovren | 2007–2010 | 3 | ||
Mario Lučić | 2002–2004 | 2 | ||
Domagoj Vida | 2007–2010 | 2 | ||
Dario Smoje | 1997–2000 | 1 | ||
Boško Šutalo | 2019–2022 | 1 | ||
Mario Carević | 2001–2004 | 0 | ||
Luka Vučko | 2004–2006 | 0 | ||
Borna Sosa | 2017–2020 | 0 |
Last updated: Belarus vs Croatia, 20 November 2023
Source: Croatian Football Federation
Top goalscorers
[edit]- Players in bold are still active with Croatia.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a4/Brazil_and_Croatia_match_at_the_FIFA_World_Cup_2014-06-12_%2836%29.jpg/220px-Brazil_and_Croatia_match_at_the_FIFA_World_Cup_2014-06-12_%2836%29.jpg)
# | Name | Goals | Caps | Ratio | Career |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Tomislav Bušić | 12 | 29 | 0.41 | 2005–2008 |
2 | Tomo Šokota | 10 | 19 | 0.53 | 1997–2000 |
Luka Ivanušec | 28 | 0.36 | 2017–2021 | ||
4 | Josip Brekalo | 9 | 17 | 0.53 | 2016–2019 |
5 | Eduardo da Silva | 8 | 12 | 0.67 | 2004–2005 |
Stipe Perica | 12 | 0.67 | 2013–2016 | ||
Roko Šimić | 19 | 0.42 | 2021– | ||
8 | Marcelo Brozović | 7 | 13 | 0.54 | 2011–2014 |
Nikola Vlašić | 19 | 0.37 | 2015–2019 | ||
10 | Ante Rukavina | 6 | 9 | 0.67 | 2007–2008 |
Marin Ljubičić | 11 | 0.55 | 2021– | ||
Mario Pašalić | 14 | 0.43 | 2014–2016 | ||
Mihael Mikić | 15 | 0.4 | 1999–2001 | ||
Sandro Kulenović | 15 | 0.4 | 2019–2021 | ||
Nikola Moro | 24 | 0.25 | 2017–2021 |
Last updated: Belarus vs Croatia, 20 November 2023
Source: Croatian Football Federation
Record per opponent
[edit]![]() |
Croatia under-21 results |
Correct as of 20 November 2023, after the match against Belarus.
Opponent | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win % |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 50.00 |
![]() | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | −3 | 0.00 |
![]() | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 25.00 |
![]() | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 3 | +8 | 100.00 |
![]() | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 1 | +10 | 80.00 |
![]() | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 50.00 |
![]() | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 19 | 14 | +5 | 44.44 |
![]() | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 6 | +0 | 33.33 |
![]() | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 | 0.00 |
![]() | 7 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 11 | 10 | +1 | 14.29 |
![]() | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | −1 | 50.00 |
![]() | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 5 | +3 | 66.67 |
![]() | 7 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 12 | 10 | +2 | 42.86 |
![]() | 10 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 23 | 3 | +20 | 90.00 |
![]() | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 3 | +5 | 100.00 |
![]() | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 50.00 |
![]() | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 8 | −5 | 0.00 |
![]() | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 4 | +0 | 25.00 |
![]() | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 100.00 |
![]() | 11 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 22 | 13 | +9 | 54.55 |
![]() | 12 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 30 | 14 | +16 | 58.33 |
![]() | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 100.00 |
![]() | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 3 | +4 | 50.00 |
![]() | 5 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 5 | −5 | 0.00 |
![]() | 8 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 10 | −3 | 12.50 |
![]() | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | +0 | 0.00 |
![]() | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 4 | +5 | 75.00 |
![]() | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | +9 | 100.00 |
![]() | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 1 | +12 | 100.00 |
![]() | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 1 | +7 | 75.00 |
![]() | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | +6 | 100.00 |
![]() | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 | 0.00 |
![]() | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | +7 | 100.00 |
![]() | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 33.33 |
![]() | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | −4 | 0.00 |
![]() | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 | +0 | 50.00 |
![]() | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 15 | 7 | +8 | 80.00 |
![]() | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 33.33 |
![]() | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 5 | −2 | 25.00 |
![]() | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | −3 | 0.00 |
![]() | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | −1 | 0.00 |
![]() | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 0 | +33 | 100.00 |
![]() | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 7 | +2 | 33.33 |
![]() | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 50.00 |
![]() | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 12 | 12 | +0 | 20.00 |
![]() | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 14 | 11 | +3 | 37.50 |
![]() | 11 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 20 | 13 | +7 | 54.55 |
![]() | 9 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 19 | −12 | 11.11 |
![]() | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 7 | +2 | 50.00 |
![]() | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 10 | −4 | 40.00 |
![]() | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 100.00 |
![]() | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +0 | 0.00 |
![]() | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 8 | −1 | 28.57 |
![]() | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 100.00 |
Total: 54 teams played | 235 | 114 | 53 | 68 | 421 | 261 | +160 | 48.51 |
Source: Croatian Football Federation
See also
[edit]- Croatia national football team
- Croatia national football B team
- Croatia national under-23 football team
- Croatia national under-20 football team
- Croatia national under-19 football team
- Croatia national under-18 football team
- Croatia national under-17 football team
- Croatia national under-16 football team
- Croatia national under-15 football team
- Croatia women's national football team
- Croatia women's national under-19 football team
- Croatia women's national under-17 football team
- Croatia women's national under-15 football team
Notes
[edit]- ^ a b Due to the country's involvement in the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Belarusian teams were required to play their home matches at neutral venues and behind closed doors until further notice.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ "Belarus teams to play on neutral ground in UEFA competitions". UEFA. Basel. 3 March 2022. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
- ^ "Croatia U-21". Croatian Football Federation. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
- ^ "Izbornik Dragan Skočić objavio popis igrača za utakmice u lipnju" (in Croatian). Hrvatski nogometni savez. 20 May 2024. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ He coached the U21 team during the first play-off to 2006 European Championship lost 1:3 to Serbia HNS: Serbia-Croatia 3:1, 2005
- ^ He coached the U21 team during the second play-off to 2006 European Championship lost 1:2 to Serbia HNS: Croatia-Serbia 1:2, 2005
- ^ As a temporary manager he coached the U21 team during the friendly 1:1 draw against Italy HNS: Croatia-Italy 1:1, 2005
External links
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Under-21 at UEFA.com
- U23/U21 Tournaments at the Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation website
- Croatia youth teams players' statistics at the Croatian Football Federation website