Croatia Marches into Quarters at UEFA U-17 European Championships

A second half goal from Davor Lovren, brother of Liverpool defender Dejan, was enough to give Croatia a 1-0 win over Austria and send them through to the second round of the UEFA U-17 European Championships in Bulgaria…

Croatia coach Dario Bašić was a happy man after the win.

“This is a major, very important victory. Both teams were under pressure, with Austria playing well in defence, and having a couple of players to threaten us in attack. However, I still think that we could have won the game in the first half, since we had better chances. When two very organized teams meet, like they did today, it is not easy to score”, said Bašić, before adding.

“This result really gives us a lot of joy, especially due to the fact that we have not conceded a single goal in the Elite Round or the first two games at the European championship. Kalaica is back after injury, we need the rest of the team in good health as well. Erlić injured his shoulder, we’ll see how quickly he can recover.”

Croatia now awaits its quarterfinal opponent and will play Spain in their last group match.

U-17: CROATIA – AUSTRIA 1:0 (0:0)
EURO 2015, Group A.
Sozopol, Bulgaria.

Referee: D. Muntean (Moldova)

Goalscorers: 1:0 – Lovren (52′)

Yellow cards: Filip (49′), Lovrić (55′), Hautzinger (79′)

Croatia: Šemper, Hudećek, Sosa, Erlić (34′ Gjira), Kalaica, Soldo, Brekalo, Đurasek, Moro, Lovren (66′ Babić), Majić (80+1′ Blečić). Head coach: D. Bašić.

Austria: Ehmann, Sahanek (75′ Danso), Heilmann, Prirsch, Ramadani (68′ Oppong), Omerović, Wöber, Lovrić, Jakupović (63′ Hautzinger), Filip, Schmidt. Head coach: M. Zsak.

Group A:
1. Croatia 6 (2)
2. Spain 1 (1)
3. Austria 1 (2)
4. Bulgaria 0 (1)

(photo UEFA / Sportsfile)