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Croatia national under-21 football team
National association football team
National association football team
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Croatia U21 |
| Nickname | Mladi Vatreni (The Young Blazers) |
| Badge_size | 170px |
| Association | Croatian Football Federation (HNS) |
| Confederation | UEFA (Europe) |
| Coach | Ivica Olić |
| Captain | Bartol Franjić |
| Most caps | Luka Ivanušec (28) |
| Top scorer | Tomislav Bušić (13) |
| FIFA Trigramme | CRO |
| pattern_la1 | _cro24h |
| pattern_b1 | _cro24h |
| pattern_ra1 | _cro24h |
| pattern_sh1 | _cro24h |
| leftarm1 | FFFFFF |
| body1 | FFFFFF |
| rightarm1 | FFFFFF |
| shorts1 | FFFFFF |
| socks1 | FFFFFF |
| pattern_la2 | _cro24a |
| pattern_b2 | _cro24a |
| pattern_ra2 | _cro24a |
| pattern_sh2 | _cro24a |
| leftarm2 | 000081 |
| body2 | 000081 |
| rightarm2 | 000081 |
| shorts2 | 000081 |
| socks2 | 000081 |
| First game | 1–1 (Bratislava, Slovakia, September 1942) |
| Largest win | 10–0 (Zagreb, Croatia, 8 October 2020) |
| Largest loss | 6–0 (Alicante, Spain, 10 September 2012) |
| UEFAu21Champ apps | 5 |
| UEFAu21Champ first | 2000 |
| UEFAu21Champ best | Quarter-finals (2021) |
| website |
| FIFA World cup apps = | FIFA World cup first = | FIFA World cup best = | FIFA Arab cup apps = | FIFA Arab cup first = | FIFA Arab cup best =
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.
Results and fixtures
Main article: Croatia national under-21 football team results (2020–present)
The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
2024
Coaching staff
Current coaching staff
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Head coach | CRO Ivica Olić |
| Assistant coaches | CRO Ante Tomić |
| CRO Renato Pilipović | |
| CRO Niko Kranjčar | |
| Goalkeeping coach | CRO Darko Staneković |
| Fitness coaches | CRO Vedran Naglić |
| CRO Aris Naglić | |
| Analyst | CRO Nikola Buzadžić |
| Doctors | CRO Mislav Rakić |
| CRO Boban Dangubić | |
| CRO Nino Brajković | |
| Physiotherapists | CRO Tomislav Buljan |
| Technical secretary | CRO Josip Tomaško |
| Kit men | CRO Milan Vincek |
| CRO Luka Karlo |
Players
Current squad
The following players were called up for the friendly tournament against Qatar, Republic of Ireland and Sweden on 3, 6 and 10 June 2025; respectively.
Caps and goals correct as of 10 June 2025, after the match against Sweden
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.
- 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
Summer Olympics
Gold medalists Silver medalists Bronze medalists Tournament hosted
| Summer Olympics | Qualification | Year | Host | Round | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | Squad | Pos. | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | Total | Never qualified | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0/8 | 84 | 43 | 15 | 26 | 164 | 94 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1900 to 1904 | Only club teams participated | Only club teams participated | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1908 to 1992 | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1996 | United States | Did not qualify | 4th | 10 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 13 | 12 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2000 | Australia | 4th | 13 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 32 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2004 | Greece | 4th | 11 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 14 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2008 | China | 3rd | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2012 | United Kingdom | 1st | 10 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 18 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | Brazil | 1st | 10 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 22 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | Japan | 4th | 13 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 35 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | France | 3rd | 15 | 8 | 2 | 5 | 28 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2028 | United States | To be determined | To be determined |
UEFA European Under-21 Championship
Winners Runners-up Tournament hosted
| UEFA European Under-21 Championship | Qualification | Year | Host | Round | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | Squad | Pos. | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | Total | Group stage | 15 | 1 | 4 | 10 | 15 | 27 | — | 5/16 | 150 | 87 | 23 | 40 | 304 | 161 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 to 1992 | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1994 | France | Not a UEFA member | Not a UEFA member | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1996 | Spain | Did not qualify | 4th | 10 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 13 | 12 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1998 | Romania | 3rd | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 13 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2000 | Slovakia | Group stage | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | Squad | 1st | 10 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 28 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2002 | Switzerland | Did not qualify | 2nd | 8 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 10 | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2004 | Germany | Group stage | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | Squad | 1st | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2006 | Portugal | Did not qualify | 1st | 12 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 16 | 11 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2007 | Netherlands | 1st | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2009 | Sweden | 2nd | 10 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 20 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2011 | Denmark | 1st | 10 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 19 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2013 | Israel | 4th | 8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | Czech Republic | 1st | 10 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 22 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | Poland | 3rd | 10 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 24 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | Italy | Group stage | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 8 | Squad | 3rd | 10 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 31 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | Hungary | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Slovenia | Quarter-final | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 6 | Squad | 2nd | 10 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 37 | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | Georgia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Romania | Group stage | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | Squad | 2nd | 12 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 28 | 13 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | Slovakia | Did not qualify | 2nd | 12 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 23 | 17 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2027 | Albania | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Serbia | To be determined | To be determined |
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 | CRO | CRO | CRO | CRO (c) | CRO (c) | CRO (c) | CRO | CRO | CRO | CRO | CRO | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994–1996 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2000–2004 | [[File:Symbol delete vote.svg | 15px]] 1996 European Championship – Failed to qualify | |||||||||||||||||
| [[File:Symbol delete vote.svg | 15px]] 2002 European Championship – Failed to qualify | ||||||||||||||||||
| [[File:Symbol confirmed.svg | 15px]] 2004 European Championship – Group stage | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1997–2000 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2011–2013 | [[File:Symbol delete vote.svg | 15px]] 1998 European Championship – Failed to qualify | |||||||||||||||||
| [[File:Symbol confirmed.svg | 15px]] 2000 European Championship – Group stage | ||||||||||||||||||
| [[File:Symbol delete vote.svg | 15px]] 2013 European Championship – Failed to qualify | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2004–2006 | [[File:Symbol delete vote.svg | 15px]] 2006 European Championship – Play-offs | |||||||||||||||||
| 2005 | [[File:Symbol delete vote.svg | 15px]] 2006 European Championship – Failed to qualify | |||||||||||||||||
| 2005 | [[File:Symbol delete vote.svg | 15px]] 2006 European Championship – Failed to qualify | |||||||||||||||||
| 2005 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2006–2011 | [[File:Symbol delete vote.svg | 15px]] 2007 European Championship – Failed to qualify | |||||||||||||||||
| [[File:Symbol delete vote.svg | 15px]] 2009 European Championship – Failed to qualify | ||||||||||||||||||
| [[File:Symbol delete vote.svg | 15px]] 2011 European Championship – Failed to qualify | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2013–2019 | [[File:Symbol delete vote.svg | 15px]] 2015 European Championship – Failed to qualify | |||||||||||||||||
| [[File:Symbol delete vote.svg | 15px]] 2017 European Championship – Failed to qualify | ||||||||||||||||||
| [[File:Symbol confirmed.svg | 15px]] 2019 European Championship – Group stage | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2019–2023 | [[File:Symbol confirmed.svg | 15px]] 2021 European Championship – Quarter-finals | |||||||||||||||||
| 2023– | [[File:Symbol confirmed.svg | 15px]] 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 | 2005–2008 | |
| 2 | Tomo Šokota | 10 | 19 | 1997–2000 | |
| Luka Ivanušec | 28 | 2017–2021 | |||
| 4 | Josip Brekalo | 9 | 17 | 2016–2019 | |
| 5 | Eduardo da Silva | 8 | 12 | 2004–2005 | |
| Stipe Perica | 12 | 2013–2016 | |||
| Roko Šimić | 19 | 2021– | |||
| 8 | Marcelo Brozović | 7 | 13 | 2011–2014 | |
| Nikola Vlašić | 19 | 2015–2019 | |||
| 10 | Ante Rukavina | 6 | 9 | 2007–2008 | |
| Marin Ljubičić | 11 | 2021– | |||
| Mario Pašalić | 14 | 2014–2016 | |||
| Mihael Mikić | 15 | 1999–2001 | |||
| Sandro Kulenović | 15 | 2019–2021 | |||
| Nikola Moro | 24 | 2017–2021 |
Last updated: Belarus vs Croatia, 20 November 2023
Source: Croatian Football Federation
Record per opponent
Correct as of 20 November 2023, after the match against Belarus.
| Opponent | Total: 54 teams played |
|---|
Source: Croatian Football Federation
Notes
References
≤== 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
References
- "Croatia U-21". Croatian Football Federation.
- (19 May 2025). "Ivica Olić publishes a list of players for a friendly tournament in Croatia". Hrvatski Nogometni Savez.
- He coached the U21 team during the first play-off to [[2006 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. 2006 European Championship]] lost 1:3 to [[Serbia national under-21 football team. Serbia]] [http://hns-cff.hr/matches/26973/srbija-hrvatska-3-1/ HNS: Serbia-Croatia 3:1, 2005]
- He coached the U21 team during the second play-off to [[2006 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. 2006 European Championship]] lost 1:2 to [[Serbia national under-21 football team. Serbia]] [http://hns-cff.hr/matches/26974/hrvatska-srbija-1-2/ HNS: Croatia-Serbia 1:2, 2005]
- As a temporary manager he coached the U21 team during the friendly 1:1 draw against [[Italy national under-21 football team. Italy]] [http://hns-cff.hr/matches/27629/hrvatska-italija-1-1/ HNS: Croatia-Italy 1:1, 2005]
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