Croatia to face Portugal in Euro 2024 warm up

Luka Modrić

Croatia will face Portugal in a warm up match ahead of UEFA EURO 2024, the Croatian Football Federation confirmed on Monday. 

Portugal and Croatia will face each other on June 8 at 17:45 at the National Stadium in Lisbon, serving as the final test for both teams before the UEFA European Championship in Germany.

The day after the match in Lisbon, the Croatian team will fly to Berlin and then proceed to their base camp in Neuruppin. Croatia will undergo preparations in Rijeka, where they will also play a friendly match against North Macedonia on June 3.

“I am pleased that we have reached an agreement with the Portuguese Football Federation to play a match that will be an excellent test for both teams before the European Championship in Germany. I am confident that the spectators in Lisbon will enjoy a spectacular game between two top-ranked teams, and Portugal’s outstanding team will serve as excellent motivation for our team to enter the competitive rhythm and be fully prepared for EURO,” said Marijan Kustić, the president of the Croatian Football Federation.

Croatia’s coach, Zlatko Dalić, expressed satisfaction with the agreed-upon program before the Euros: “We have arranged everything as we initially envisioned, from the tour in the Emirates in March to the preparation plan and the selection of opponents for friendly matches. Portugal has been one of the best teams in the world for years, with exceptional technical skills and a rich tradition, and I especially respect their coach, Roberto Martínez. In the encounter against such a strong opponent, we want to see where we stand at that moment and what we still need to improve before the opening of the Euros against Spain, who play a similar style. I am sure that the spectators will enjoy a high-quality match, and I wish Portugal and us to meet again during the Euros, preferably in the later stages of the tournament.”

In addition to facing North Macedonia and Portugal in preparations for the Euros, Croatia will have two friendly matches in March. From March 22 to 26, the team will participate in the international W Cup tournament in the United Arab Emirates, featuring top African teams Egypt and Tunisia, as well as the best team from Oceania, New Zealand. Croatia is placed in Group B at the Euros, where they will compete for a spot in the round of 16 against Spain, Albania, and Italy.

“We had a great desire for the national team to play again at Jamor, and now we have the opportunity to fulfill that goal. The National Stadium holds symbolic value for our team as we have played many matches there that have special meaning for our fans. The return to Jamor had to be in grand style, and I am therefore grateful to the Croatian Football Federation for accepting our invitation. It will be a great match where we can all feel the magic of Jamor again,” said Fernando Gomes, president of the Portuguese Football Federation.

Coach Roberto Martínez spoke highly of Croatia: “Croatia is one of the top 10 teams in the FIFA rankings, and it will be an excellent test for both teams ahead of the European Championship. We will play against a great team, and we know that Croatia has equal respect for Portugal. I am eagerly anticipating this match, especially because of the chance for the team to play again at a mythical stadium like the National Stadium. It will be an opportunity to be with the fans again in that special place for Portuguese football.”