Croatia Start With Win at U-17 European Championships

Croatia has opened its U-17 European Championship account with a 2-0 win against the host nation Bulgaria in Stara Zagora on Wednesday night…

Goals to Matko Babić and Adrian Blečić gave Dario Bašić’s side the win to send them straight to the top of Group A.

“As expected, it was a tough match at the opening of the tournament, in front of 10.000 people. The pressure was on both teams, we were both nervous. In the first half an hour, we showed some quality football, and in the second half we missed a lot of chances, which allowed Bulgaria to show some initiative. Our mistakes gave them that opportunity”, said Croatia’s coach.

“In the end, the result depended on us. We could have won this earlier, and some little things need to be better against Austria. Austria is a tough, disciplined team who came back against Spain, even though Spaniards dominated the match. Austrians had a chance to surprise with a victory, they have talent and quality in their team”, he said.

Group A:
1. Croatia 3
2. Austria 1
3. Spain 1
4. Bulgaria 0

U-17: BULGARIA – CROATIA 0:2 (0:1)
European Championships, Group A.
Stara Zagora, Bulgaria.

Referee: P. Raczkowski (Poland)

Goalscorers: 0:1 – Babić (24′), 0:2 – Blečić (80+3′)

Yellow cards: Đurasek (30′), Sosa (64′), Moro (77′), Halilović (79′)

Bulgaria: Naumov, Savov, Slavov, Stamatov, Hristov, Golovodov, Dimitrov (69′ Kovachev), Stefanov, Chandarov (47′ Yanev), Rusev, Yordanov (68′ Yoskov). Head coach: A. Dimitrov.

Croatia: Šemper, Sosa, Erlić, Kalaica, Soldo, Gjira (80′ Blečić), Brekalo, Đurasek (73′ Halilović), Moro, Majić, Babić (60′ Lovren). Head coach: D. Bašić.

(photo / UEFA / sportsfile)