Croatian players’ match-worn shirts up for grabs in humanitarian auction

The Croatian national team players will donate their playing shirts from the European Qualifiers matches against Latvia and Armenia for a humanitarian auction, where funds will be raised for the Pediatric Clinic of the Clinical Hospital Centre Osijek.

In collaboration with the partner matchwornshirt.com, the Croatian Football Federation and the Vatreno srce Foundation will organise a humanitarian auction of playing shirts from the Croatian national team’s matches against Latvia and Armenia.

The collected funds will be dedicated to the purchase of an ultrasound machine for the Pediatric Clinic of the Clinical Hospital Centre Osijek. With this donation, the Croatian Football Federation and the Vatreno srce Foundation will complete their contributions to the four largest hospital centres in Croatia, following previous donations to KBC Zagreb, KBC Split, and KBC Rijeka in recent years.

“Over the past four years, the national team players and the Association have raised over two million kuna, approximately 300,000 euros, for the Vatreno srce Foundation through various activities. These funds have been directed towards children and youth, which we consider the best choice for humanitarian efforts. I am pleased that during our visit to Osijek next month, we will be able to donate a much-needed, modern ultrasound machine to KBC Osijek’s Pediatric Clinic, which will greatly assist doctors and young patients, as well as their parents. I am most grateful to our national team players who have once again shown their big hearts,” said the President of the Croatian Football Federation, Marijan Kustić.

In the coming days, the Croatian Football Federation will inform fans about the details of the auction, where shirts of all players who will be in the line-ups for the matches against Latvia (September 8 in Rijeka) and Armenia (September 11 in Yerevan) will be available for purchase.

“I am proud of our players who have once again demonstrated sensitivity towards the youngest. Osijek has always been an exceptional host to the Croatian national team, and I am delighted that we can repay Osijek and Slavonia for their love and support for the Vatreni in this way. We will undoubtedly feel this support in the important match against Turkey, which awaits us at the beautiful new stadium,” said coach Zlatko Dalić.

The President of the Board of Directors of the Vatreno srce Foundation, Prof. Dr. Josip Paladino, announced the donation to KBC Osijek several months ago. When Osijek was awarded the hosting of the match against Turkey, through discussions with the leadership of KBC Osijek, the ultrasound machine was identified as the best and most useful form of donation.

“The Croatian national football team is a source of pride for all of us, not only for their achievements in promoting our country on the world stage but also for their humanitarian activities. We truly appreciate this valuable gesture by the Vatreni and the Croatian Football Federation, as the new ultrasound machine will be a significant asset to our Pediatric Clinic. Our guys know how to make a difference on the field and off it, and for that, we thank them from the bottom of our hearts. We look forward to seeing them in Osijek once again and wish them the best of luck in their upcoming matches,” said the Director of KBC Osijek, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Željko Zubčić.