Croatia national under-21 football team
| Nickname(s) | Mladi Vatreni (The Young Blazers) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Association | Croatian Football Federation (HNS) | ||
| Confederation | UEFA (Europe) | ||
| Head coach | Dragan Skočić | ||
| Captain | Boško Šutalo | ||
| Most caps | Luka Ivanušec (28) | ||
| Top scorer | Tomislav Bušić (13) | ||
| FIFA code | CRO | ||
| |||
| First international | |||
| Biggest win | |||
| Biggest defeat | |||
| UEFA U-21 Championship | |||
| Appearances | 4 (first in 2000) | ||
| Best result | Quarter-finals (2021) | ||
| Website | hns-cff.hr | ||
The Croatia national under-21 football team represents Croatia in association football matches for players aged 21 or under.
The team played its first match, a friendly against Hungary in Zagreb in 1992. Since that time, Croatia qualified for five UEFA European Under-21 Championship, namely 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.
UEFA European Under-21 Championship
2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 26 | 11 | +15 | 24 | Final tournament | — | 3–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 3–0 | ||
| 2 | 10 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 25 | 10 | +15 | 22 | Play-offs | 3–2 | — | 2–3 | 0–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | ||
| 3 | 10 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 18 | 13 | +5 | 19 | 0–2 | 0–2 | — | 3–1 | 3–0 | 1–0 | |||
| 4 | 10 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 22 | 13 | +9 | 16 | 2–1 | 1–3 | 2–3 | — | 6–0 | 2–0 | |||
| 5 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 12 | 24 | −12 | 7 | 1–2 | 1–5 | 1–1 | 0–3 | — | 3–0 | |||
| 6 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 32 | −32 | 0 | 0–5 | 0–4 | 0–3 | 0–4 | 0–5 | — |
2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship play-offs
The four play-off winners qualify for the final tournament.
All times are CEST (UTC+2), as listed by UEFA (local times, if different, are in parentheses).
| Team 1 | Agg. | Team 2 | 1st leg | 2nd leg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Croatia |
3–3 (5–4 p) | 2–1 | 1–2 (a.e.t.) | |
| Slovakia |
3–5 | 3–2 | 0–3 | |
| Republic of Ireland |
1–1 (1–3 p) | 1–1 | 0–0 (a.e.t.) | |
| Iceland |
1–2 | 1–2 | 0–0 |
Results and fixtures
2022
| 3 June 2022 Euro 2023 qualif Gr A | Norway | 3–2 | | Drammen, Norway |
| 18:00 |
|
Report | Stadium: Marienlyst Referee: David Munro (Scotland) Assistant referees: David Roome (Scotland) Craig Ferguson (Scotland) Fourth official: Greg Aitken (Scotland) |
| 8 June 2022 Euro 2023 qualif Gr A | Estonia | 0–4 | | Pärnu, Estonia |
| Report |
|
Stadium: Pärnu Rannastaadion Referee: Ashot Ghaltakhchyan (Armenia) Assistant referees: Mesrop Ghazaryan (Armenia) Artur Gdlyan (Armenia) Fourth official: Zaven Hovhannisyan (Armenia) |
| 23 September 2022 Euro 2023 qualif play-offs | Croatia | 2–1 | | Pula, Croatia |
| 18:00 | Report | Stadium: Stadion Aldo Drosina Referee: Goga Kikacheishvili (Georgia) Assistant referees: Giorgi Elikashvili (Georgia) David Akhvlediani (Georgia) Fourth official: Irakli Kvirikashvili (Georgia) |
| 27 September 2022 Euro 2023 qualif play-offs | Denmark | 2–1 (a.e.t.) (3–3 agg.) (4–5 p) | | Vejle, Denmark |
| 18:00 | Report | Stadium: Vejle Stadium Referee: Sebastian Gishamer (Austria) Assistant referees: Roland Riedel (Austria) Santino Schreiner (Austria) Fourth official: Walter Altmann (Austria) | ||
| Penalties | ||||
2023
| 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 | v | | Bucharest, Romania |
| 19:00 | Report | Stadium: Superbet Arena |
| 24 June 2023 2023 Euro Gr B | Spain | v | | Bucharest, Romania |
| 21:45 | Report | Stadium: Superbet Arena |
| 27 June 2023 2023 Euro Gr B | Croatia | v | | Bucharest, Romania |
| 21:45 | Report | Stadium: Stadionul Steaua |
| 12 September 2023 Euro 2025 qualif Gr G | Faroe Islands | v | |
| 13 October 2023 Euro 2025 qualif Gr G | Greece | v | |
| 17 October 2023 Euro 2025 qualif Gr G | Croatia | v | |
| 20 November 2023 Euro 2025 qualif Gr G | Belarus | v | |
2024
| 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
Current coaching staff
| Position | Name[1] |
|---|---|
| Head coach | |
| Assistant coaches | |
| Goalkeeping coach | |
| Fitness coaches | |
| Analyst | |
| Doctors | |
| Physiotherapists | |
| Technical secretary | |
| Kit men |
Players
Current squad
The following was the final squad for the friendlies played against Israel and England on 23 and 28 March 2023.
| No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Nikola Čavlina | 2 June 2002 | 1 | 0 | ||
| GK | Dominik Kotarski | 10 February 2000 | 12 | 0 | ||
| GK | Ivor Pandur | 25 March 2000 | 4 | 0 | ||
| DF | David Čolina | 19 July 2000 | 15 | 0 | ||
| DF | Jan Jurčec | 27 November 2000 | 2 | 0 | ||
| DF | Luka Jelenić | 24 May 2000 | 2 | 0 | ||
| DF | Roko Jureškin | 29 September 2000 | 1 | 1 | ||
| DF | Mauro Perković | 22 March 2003 | 2 | 0 | ||
| DF | Hrvoje Smolčić | 17 August 2000 | 6 | 0 | ||
| DF | Nikola Soldo | 25 January 2001 | 8 | 1 | ||
| MF | Martin Baturina | 16 February 2003 | 8 | 0 | ||
| MF | Veldin Hodža | 15 October 2002 | 5 | 0 | ||
| MF | Niko Janković | 25 August 2001 | 0 | 0 | ||
| MF | Lukas Kačavenda | 2 March 2003 | 9 | 1 | ||
| MF | Ante Palaversa | 6 April 2000 | 8 | 0 | ||
| MF | Jurica Pršir | 29 May 2000 | 11 | 1 | ||
| FW | Dion Drena Beljo | 1 March 2002 | 7 | 1 | ||
| FW | Ivan Dolček | 24 April 2000 | 6 | 0 | ||
| FW | Matija Frigan | 11 February 2003 | 1 | 0 | ||
| FW | Marin Ljubičić | 28 February 2002 | 7 | 2 | ||
| FW | Antonio Marin | 9 January 2001 | 15 | 1 | ||
| FW | Roko Šimić | 10 September 2003 | 14 | 7 | ||
| FW | Luka Stojković | 28 October 2003 | 3 | 0 | ||
| FW | Gabriel Vidović | 1 December 2003 | 6 | 2 | ||
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 | Karlo Sentić | 3 June 2001 | 1 | 0 | v. | |
| DF | Mislav Matić | 6 January 2000 | 2 | 0 | v. | |
| DF | Marco Pašalić | 14 September 2000 | 4 | 0 | v. | |
| DF | Ivan Smolčić | 17 August 2000 | 2 | 0 | v. | |
| MF | Marko Bulat | 26 September 2001 | 3 | 0 | v. | |
| MF | Luka Sučić | 8 September 2002 | 7 | 5 | v. | |
| MF | Jakov-Anton Vasilj | 2 June 2002 | 1 | 0 | v. | |
| FW | Stipe Biuk | 26 December 2002 | 10 | 2 | v. | |
| FW | Ante Crnac | 17 December 2003 | 1 | 0 | v. | |
| FW | Igor Matanović | 31 March 2003 | 1 | 0 | v. | |
| FW | Michele Šego | 5 August 2000 | 4 | 0 | v. | |
| ||||||
Competative record
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 |
||||||||||||||||||
| 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 | 4/4 | 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 | 4/4 | 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 | 4/4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 8 | Squad | 1/6 | 10 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 31 | 5 | Nenad Gračan | |||
| Quarter-finals | 8 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 7 | Squad 1 / Squad 2 | 2/6 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 37 | 7 | Nenad Gračan/Igor Bišćan | |||
| Qualified | 1/6 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 19 | 7 | Igor Bišćan/Dragan Skočić | |||||||||||
| Total | Group stage | 4/23 | 13 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 16 | 26 | 134 | 77 | 22 | 35 | 271 | 139 | |||||
| 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
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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– | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | ||
Last updated: England vs Croatia, 28 March 2023. Statistics include official FIFA-recognised matches only.
Most capped players

| # | 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 |
| 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– | 1 | ||
| Mario Carević | 2001–2004 | 0 | ||
| Luka Vučko | 2004–2006 | 0 | ||
| Borna Sosa | 2017–2020 | 0 | ||
Last updated: England vs Croatia, 28 March 2023
Source: Croatian Football Federation
Top goalscorers
.jpg.webp)
| # | Name | Career | Goals | Caps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tomislav Bušić | 2005–2008 | 12 | 29 |
| 2 | Tomo Šokota | 1997–2000 | 10 | 19 |
| Luka Ivanušec | 2017–2021 | 28 | ||
| 4 | Josip Brekalo | 2016–2019 | 9 | 17 |
| 5 | Eduardo da Silva | 2004–2005 | 8 | 12 |
| Stipe Perica | 2013–2016 | 12 | ||
| 7 | Roko Šimić | 2021– | 7 | 11 |
| Marcelo Brozović | 2011–2014 | 13 | ||
| Nikola Vlašić | 2015–2019 | 19 | ||
| 10 | Ante Rukavina | 2007–2008 | 6 | 9 |
| Mario Pašalić | 2014–2016 | 14 | ||
| Mihael Mikić | 1999–2001 | 15 | ||
| Sandro Kulenović | 2019–2021 | 15 | ||
| Nikola Moro | 2017–2021 | 24 | ||
Last updated: England vs Croatia, 28 March 2023
Source: Croatian Football Federation
Record per opponent
![]() |
| Croatia under-21 results |
Correct as of 28 March 2023, after the match against
England.
| 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 | |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 1 | +7 | 66.67 | |
| 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 | |
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 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 | |
| 10 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 20 | 11 | +9 | 60.00 | |
| 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 | |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 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 | |
| 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 9 | +3 | 42.86 | |
| 11 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 20 | 13 | +7 | 54.55 | |
| 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 18 | −11 | 12.50 | |
| 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 | |
| 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 6 | +1 | 33.33 | |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 100.00 | |
| Total: 54 teams played | 227 | 111 | 50 | 66 | 410 | 252 | +158 | 48.90 |
Last updated: England vs Croatia, 28 March 2023
Source: Croatian Football Federation
See also
- Croatia men's national under-21 football team results
- Croatia men's national football team
- Croatia men's national football B team
- Croatia men's national under-23 football team
- Croatia men's national under-20 football team
- Croatia men's national under-19 football team
- Croatia men's national under-18 football team
- Croatia men'snational under-17 football team
- Croatia men's national under-16 football team
- Croatia men's 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
References
- "Croatia U-21". Croatian Football Federation. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
- 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
- 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
