Croatia national under-21 football team

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.

Croatia U21
Nickname(s)Mladi Vatreni (The Young Blazers)
AssociationCroatian Football Federation (HNS)
ConfederationUEFA (Europe)
Head coachDragan Skočić
CaptainBartol Franjić
Most capsLuka Ivanušec (28)
Top scorerTomislav Bušić (13)
FIFA codeCRO
First colours
Second colours
First international
 Croatia 6–1 Hungary 
(Zagreb, Croatia, 14 October 1992)
Biggest win
 Croatia 10–0 San Marino 
(Zagreb, Croatia, 8 October 2020)
Biggest defeat
 Spain 6–0 Croatia 
(Alicante, Spain, 10 September 2012)
UEFA U-21 Championship
Appearances5 (first in 2000)
Best resultQuarter-finals (2021)
Websitehns-cff.hr

Recent results and fixtures

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

23 March 2023 (2023-03-23) Friendly Croatia  0–0  Israel Varaždin, Croatia
18:00 (UTC+02:00) Report
Stadium: Stadion Varteks
Referee: Toni Dadić (Croatia)
28 March 2023 (2023-03-28) Friendly England  1–2  Croatia London, England
19:45 (UTC+01:00)
Stadium: Craven Cottage
21 June 2023 (2023-06-21) 2023 Euro Gr B Ukraine  2–0  Croatia Bucharest, Romania
19:00
Report
Stadium: Superbet Arena
Referee: Mohammed Al-Hakim (SWE)
Assistant referees: Fredrik Klyver (SWE)
Assistant referees: Max Robin Wilde (SWE)
Fourth official: Andrei Chivulete (ROU)
24 June 2023 (2023-06-24) 2023 Euro Gr B Spain  1–0  Croatia Bucharest, Romania
21:45
Report
Stadium: Superbet Arena
Referee: Allard Lindhout (NED)
Assistant referees: Rogier Honig (NED)
Assistant referees: Patrick Inia (NED)
Fourth official: João Pinheiro (POR)
27 June 2023 (2023-06-27) 2023 Euro Gr B Croatia  0–0  Romania Bucharest, Romania
21:45
Report
Stadium: Stadionul Steaua
Referee: João Pinheiro (POR)
Assistant referees: Bruno Jesus (POR)
Assistant referees: Luciano Maia (POR)
Fourth official: Allard Lindhout (NED)
12 September 2023 (2023-09-12) Euro 2025 qualif Gr G Faroe Islands  2–4  Croatia Klaksvík, Faroe Islands
  • Nielsen  45'
  • Dahl-Olsen 78', 85'
Report
Stadium: Við Djúpumýrar
Referee: Jérémy Muller (LUX)
Assistant referees: Claude Ries (LUX)
Assistant referees: Rafael Morim (LUX)
Fourth official: Cédric Biever (LUX)
13 October 2023 (2023-10-13) Euro 2025 qualif Gr G Greece  2–2  Croatia Tripoli, Greece
16:00
Report
Stadium: Theodoros Kolokotronis Stadium
Attendance: 1,250
Referee: Tom Owen (WAL)
Assistant referees: Johnathon Bryant (WAL)
Assistant referees: Ian David Bird (WAL)
Fourth official: John Andrew Jones (WAL)
17 October 2023 (2023-10-17) Euro 2025 qualif Gr G Croatia  2–0  Belarus Velika Gorica, Croatia
17:30
Report
  • Barkovski  41'
  • Rylach  45+5'
  • Baranok  60'
Stadium: Stadion Radnik
Referee: Igor Stojchevski (MKD)
Assistant referees: Goce Petreski (MKD)
Assistant referees: Slagjan Markoski (MKD)
Fourth official: Trpchevski Stojancho (MKD)
16 November 2023 (2023-11-16) Friendly Slovakia  2–2  Croatia Nitra, Slovakia
Report Stadium: Štadión pod Zoborom
Referee: Ferenc Karakó (HUN)
20 November 2023 (2023-11-20) Euro 2025 qualif Gr G Belarus  0–1  Croatia Armavir, Armenia[note 1]
11:00
  • Maskalenchyk  20'
  • Makarenko  45'
  • Kovalevich  90+4'
Report
Stadium: Armavir City Stadium
Attendance: 0[note 1]
Referee: Peter Kralović (SVK)
Assistant referees: Milan Štrbo (SVK)
Assistant referees: Matej Zemko (SVK)
Fourth official: Peter Ziemba (SVK)

2024

21 March 2024 (2024-03-21) Euro 2025 qualif Gr G Andorra  v  Croatia
26 March 2024 (2024-03-26) Euro 2025 qualif Gr G Portugal  v  Croatia
5 September 2024 (2024-09-05) Euro 2025 qualif Gr G Croatia  v  Faroe Islands
10 September 2024 (2024-09-10) Euro 2025 qualif Gr G Croatia  v  Portugal
11 October 2024 (2024-10-11) Euro 2025 qualif Gr G Croatia  v  Andorra
15 October 2024 (2024-10-15) Euro 2025 qualif Gr G Croatia  v  Greece

Coaching staff

Current coaching staff

Position Name[2]
Head coach Dragan Skočić
Assistant coaches Ante Tomić
Renato Pilipović
Goalkeeping coach Darko Staneković
Fitness coaches Vedran Naglić
Aris Naglić
Analyst Nikola Buzadžić
Doctors Mislav Rakić
Boban Dangubić
Nino Brajković
Physiotherapists Tomislav Buljan
Technical secretary Josip Tomaško
Kit men Milan Vincek
Luka Karlo

Players

Current squad

  • 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
No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Nikola Čavlina (2002-06-02) 2 June 2002 7 0 Lokomotiva Zagreb
1GK Borna Buljan (2005-04-05) 5 April 2005 0 0 Hajduk Split
1GK Franko Kolić (2003-02-07) 7 February 2003 0 0 Osijek

2DF Mauro Perković (2003-03-22) 22 March 2003 10 0 Dinamo Zagreb
2DF Niko Sigur (2003-09-09) 9 September 2003 8 0 Hajduk Split
2DF Maro Katinić (2004-04-13) 13 April 2004 4 0 Sharjah
2DF Moreno Živković (2004-05-22) 22 May 2004 1 0 Dinamo Zagreb
2DF Ivan Cvijanović (2003-10-09) 9 October 2003 0 0 Šibenik
2DF Luka Škaričić (2002-01-28) 28 January 2002 0 0 Varaždin
2DF Luka Vušković (2007-02-24) 24 February 2007 0 0 Radomiak Radom

3MF Veldin Hodža (2002-10-15) 15 October 2002 14 2 Rijeka
3MF Gabriel Vidović (2003-12-01) 1 December 2003 13 2 Dinamo Zagreb
3MF Lovro Zvonarek (2005-05-08) 8 May 2005 2 0 Bayern Munich
3MF Marko Soldo (2003-11-22) 22 November 2003 1 0 Gorica
3MF Ivan Canjuga (2005-11-30) 30 November 2005 0 0 Lokomotiva Zagreb
3MF Karlo Lusavec (2003-10-30) 30 October 2003 0 0 Varaždin

4FW Stipe Biuk (2002-12-26) 26 December 2002 16 2 Real Valladolid
4FW Marin Ljubičić (2002-02-28) 28 February 2002 12 7 LASK
4FW Matija Frigan (2003-02-11) 11 February 2003 8 0 Westerlo
4FW Domagoj Bukvić (2004-02-22) 22 February 2004 6 1 Osijek
4FW Igor Matanović (2003-03-31) 31 March 2003 4 1 Karlsruher SC
4FW Ante Crnac (2003-12-17) 17 December 2003 2 0 Raków Częstochowa
4FW Marin Šotiček (2004-09-18) 18 September 2004 2 0 Lokomotiva Zagreb
4FW Anton Matković (2006-02-19) 19 February 2006 0 0 Osijek

Recent call-ups


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 (2004-03-07) 7 March 2004 0 0 Vukovar 1991 v.  Belarus, 17 October 2023

DF Antonio Tikvić (2004-04-21) 21 April 2004 3 0 Udinese v.  Belarus, 20 November 2023
DF Juraj Badelj (2003-08-24) 24 August 2003 0 0 Universitatea Craiova v.  Slovakia, 16 November 2023 WD

MF Niko Rak (2003-07-26) 26 July 2003 1 0 Konyaspor v.  Belarus, 20 November 2023
MF Marko Soldo (2003-11-22) 22 November 2003 1 0 Gorica v.  Belarus, 20 November 2023
MF Martin Baturina SEN (2003-02-16) 16 February 2003 14 2 Dinamo Zagreb v.  Slovakia, 16 November 2023 PRE
MF Luka Sučić SEN (2002-09-08) 8 September 2002 11 6 Red Bull Salzburg v.  Belarus, 17 October 2023
MF Marko Capan (2004-02-24) 24 February 2004 0 0 Široki Brijeg v.  Faroe Islands, 11 September 2023
MF Luka Stojković INJ (2003-10-28) 28 October 2003 5 0 Dinamo Zagreb v.  Faroe Islands, 11 September 2023 WD
MF Lukas Kačavenda INJ (2003-03-02) 2 March 2003 12 1 Dinamo Zagreb v.  Faroe Islands, 11 September 2023 WD

FW Mateo Lisica (2003-07-09) 9 July 2003 3 0 Istra 1961 v.  Belarus, 20 November 2023
FW Dion Drena Beljo (2002-03-01) 1 March 2002 11 2 FC Augsburg v.  Greece, 13 October 2023 PRE
FW Franjo Ivanović (2003-10-01) 1 October 2003 4 0 Rijeka v.  Belarus, 20 November 2023
FW Roko Šimić (2003-09-10) 10 September 2003 19 8 Red Bull Salzburg v.  Slovakia, 16 November 2023 WD

  • INJ = Injured or ill.
  • WD = Withdrew.
  • SUS = Suspended from participating.
  • RET = Retired after latest call-up.
  • SEN = Joined the Croatia senior team instead.
  • PRE = Preliminary squad.

Competitive record

  Champions  
  Runners-up  
  Third place  
  Fourth place  
  Tournament played fully or partially on home soil  

UEFA European Under-21 Championship

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  Yugoslavia
1980
1982
1984
1986
1988
1990
1992 Not a UEFA member
1994 Not a UEFA member during qualifiers
1996 Did not qualify 4/6 10 5 2 3 13 12 Martin Novoselac
1998 3/5 8 4 0 4 13 9 Ivo Šušak
2000 Group stage 7/8 3 0 1 2 4 6 Squad 1/5 10 7 2 1 28 9 Ivo Šušak
2002 Did not qualify 2/4OFF 8 3 4 1 10 7 Martin Novoselac
2004 Group stage 7/8 3 0 1 2 3 5 Squad 1/4 8 4 2 2 11 5 Martin Novoselac
2006 Did not qualify 1/6OFF 12 8 1 3 16 11 Slaven Bilić
2007 3/3 2 0 0 2 2 4 Dražen Ladić
2009 2/6 10 7 1 2 20 12 Dražen Ladić
2011 1/5OFF 10 5 2 3 18 15 Dražen Ladić
2013 4/5 8 2 1 5 7 16 Ivo Šušak
2015 1/5OFF 10 6 1 3 22 9 Niko Kovač / Nenad Gračan
2017 3/6 10 6 2 2 24 11 Nenad Gračan
2019 Group stage 10/12 3 0 1 2 4 8 Squad 1/6 10 8 1 1 31 5 Nenad Gračan
2021 Quarter-finals 7/16 4 1 0 3 5 7 Squad 1 / Squad 2 2/610622377 Nenad Gračan/Igor Bišćan
2023 Group stage 14/16 3 0 1 2 0 3 Squad 1/68611197 Igor Bišćan/Dragan Skočić
2025 To be determined 3/6431094 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  Croatia 1–2 Netherlands 
(Trnava, Slovakia; 27 May 2000)
Biggest win  Croatia 3–2 Switzerland 
(Koper, Slovenia; 28 March 2021)
Biggest defeat  Romania 4–1 Croatia 
(Serravalle, San Marino; 18 June 2019)
Notes
  • OFF = Lost in play-offs.

Statistics

Managers

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
Manager Tenure Pld W D L Win % Tournaments
Martin Novoselac 1994–1996
2000–2004
54192015035.2 1996 European Championship – Failed to qualify
2002 European Championship – Failed to qualify
2004 European Championship – Group stage
Ivo Šušak 1997–2000
2011–2013
3818614047.4 1998 European Championship – Failed to qualify
2000 European Championship – Group stage
2013 European Championship – Failed to qualify
Slaven Bilić 2004–2006 201136055.0 2006 European Championship – Play-offs
Aljoša Asanović (c) 2005 1001000.0 2006 European Championship – Failed to qualify[4]
Ivica Grnja (c) 2005 1001000.0 2006 European Championship – Failed to qualify[5]
Marijan Brnčić (c)[6] 2005 1010000.0
Dražen Ladić 2006–2011 322066062.50 2007 European Championship – Failed to qualify
2009 European Championship – Failed to qualify
2011 European Championship – Failed to qualify
Niko Kovač 2013 7502071.4
Nenad Gračan 2013–2019 4121911051.2 2015 European Championship – Failed to qualify
2017 European Championship – Failed to qualify
2019 European Championship – Group stage
Igor Bišćan 2019–2023 301857060.0 2021 European Championship – Quarter-finals
Dragan Skočić 2023– 8332037.5 2023 European Championship – Group stage

Last updated: Croatia vs Belarus, 20 November 2023. Statistics include official FIFA-recognised matches only.

Most capped players

Players in bold are still active with Croatia.
# 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

Players in bold are still active with Croatia.
# 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

  More wins than losses
  As many wins as losses
  Fewer wins than losses

Correct as of 20 November 2023, after the match against  Belarus.

Opponent Pld W D L GF GA GD Win %
 Albania 210141+3050.00
 Australia U23 100103−3000.00
 Austria 413053+2025.00
 Azerbaijan 4400113+8100.00
 Belarus 5410111+10080.00
 Belgium 421153+2050.00
 Bosnia and Herzegovina 94321914+5044.44
 Bulgaria 621366+0033.33
 Chile U23 100101−1000.00
 Czech Republic 71331110+1014.29
 Cyprus 210123−1050.00
 Denmark 640285+3066.67
 England 73131210+2042.86
 Estonia 10910233+20090.00
 Faroe Islands 330083+5100.00
 Finland 210143+1050.00
 France 501438−5000.00
 Georgia 412144+0025.00
 Germany 110020+2100.00
 Greece 116322213+9054.55
 Hungary 127413014+16058.33
 Iceland 220042+2100.00
 Republic of Ireland 211073+4050.00
 Israel 502305−5000.00
 Italy 8143710−3012.50
 Italy B 202011+0000.00
 Latvia 431094+5075.00
 Liechtenstein 220090+9100.00
 Lithuania 4400131+12100.00
 FYR Macedonia 431081+7075.00
 Malta 440060+6100.00
 Mexico 100101−1000.00
 Moldova 220070+7100.00
 Montenegro 312042+2033.33
 Morocco U20 100104−4000.00
 Netherlands 210144+0050.00
 Norway 5401157+8080.00
 Poland 312042+2033.33
 Portugal 410335−2025.00
 Romania 201114−3000.00
 Russia 100134−1000.00
 San Marino 6600330+33100.00
 Scotland 622297+2033.33
 Serbia 211053+2050.00
 Serbia and Montenegro 51131212+0020.00
 Slovakia 83321411+3037.50
 Slovenia 116142013+7054.55
 Spain 9117719−12011.11
 Sweden 631297+2050.00
  Switzerland 5203610−4040.00
 Togo U23 110010+1100.00
 Turkey 101000+0000.00
 Ukraine 722378−1028.57
 United Arab Emirates U23 110030+3100.00
Total: 54 teams played 2351145368421261+160048.51

Source: Croatian Football Federation

See also

Notes

  1. 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

  1. "Belarus teams to play on neutral ground in UEFA competitions". UEFA. Basel. 3 March 2022. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  2. "Croatia U-21". Croatian Football Federation. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  3. "Izbornik Dragan Skočić objavio popis igrača za utakmice u lipnju" (in Croatian). Hrvatski nogometni savez. 20 May 2024. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. As a temporary manager he coached the U21 team during the friendly 1:1 draw against Italy HNS: Croatia-Italy 1:1, 2005
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