The Netherlands played with aggression from the opening possession, pressured Croatia’s ball-handlers and repeatedly found good looks at the other end. The hosts scored 31 points in the opening quarter and built a 14-point advantage several times before taking a commanding 58–44 lead into half-time.
Croatia looked uncomfortable against the Dutch pressure and struggled to establish the offensive rhythm that had defined much of their qualifying campaign. The Netherlands, by contrast, played with confidence and efficiency, sensing an opportunity to claim a victory that could revive their own World Cup ambitions.
What followed after the break was a very different Croatia.
Božić Provides the First Spark
Luka Božić had already offered signs of resistance before half-time. Coming off the bench, he gave Croatia much-needed energy and repeatedly helped cut into the Dutch advantage whenever the hosts appeared ready to pull away completely.
His contribution became particularly important because several of Croatia’s leading players needed time to find their rhythm. Božić finished with 18 points, two rebounds and two assists, providing valuable scoring at a stage when the Dutch defence was making life difficult for the visitors.
Without that contribution, the deficit could easily have become much larger before half-time. Instead, Croatia remained close enough to believe that a strong third quarter could change the direction of the game.
That is exactly what happened.
Mijatović’s team increased its defensive intensity after the break, began using its size more effectively inside and found better opportunities for Zubac and Šarić. Jaleen Smith became far more aggressive with the ball, while Mario Hezonja played with greater control as Croatia finally began dictating the pace.
A 14-point deficit quickly started to disappear.
Croatia Transform the Game After Half-Time
Within less than five minutes of the third quarter, Croatia had cut the gap to only two points at 65–63. The defensive effort was noticeably stronger, but the biggest improvement came in the way Croatia attacked the basket rather than settling for difficult perimeter shots.
The Netherlands briefly restored a seven-point advantage after Zubac was called for a foul and then assessed a technical, but Croatia refused to allow the game to escape again. Šarić answered with a three-pointer, Hezonja produced five important points and Smith increasingly began breaking down the Dutch defence.
The comeback was completed when Smith found Zubac inside for the basket that gave Croatia a 73–72 lead.
By the end of the third quarter the Netherlands were narrowly back in front at 77–76, but the psychological dynamic had changed completely. The hosts were no longer controlling the contest. Croatia had turned what had looked like a comfortable Dutch afternoon into a one-possession battle.
The third quarter finished 32–19 in Croatia’s favour, effectively resetting the match before the final ten minutes.
Zubac and Šarić Take Responsibility
The fourth quarter became a test of nerve.
Neither team managed to create meaningful separation as the lead changed hands repeatedly. Croatia continued to have more success when attacking the paint, with Zubac using his size around the basket, while the Netherlands remained dangerous from long range.
Zubac eventually finished with 24 points, 11 rebounds and three assists, producing another dominant performance in a qualification campaign in which he has become one of Croatia’s most important players. FIBA rated him as the most efficient player across the August 30 European qualifying games, with an efficiency rating of 35.
Šarić was equally important. The Croatian captain also scored 24 points, adding six assists and three rebounds, but his biggest contribution came when the game was on the line.
With the score tight in the closing minutes, Šarić hit a crucial three-pointer to give Croatia a 95–92 lead. After the Netherlands pulled within one, he calmly converted four consecutive free throws to stretch the advantage to 99–94.
Božić then made two more from the line for 101–96 with 75 seconds remaining.
It looked like enough.
The Netherlands had one final response.
One Last Dutch Chance
Keye van der Vuurst de Vries hit a three-pointer to reduce the deficit to 101–99, and Smith then committed an offensive foul at the other end. Croatia suddenly found themselves defending a two-point lead with the hosts having an opportunity to tie or win the game.
Smith quickly made amends by stealing the ball, although Croatia were unable to finish the possession when Šarić missed a difficult attempt close to the basket.
That gave the Netherlands one final opportunity.
The hosts could not convert, and Croatia escaped with a 101–99 victory after a game that had seemed to be slipping away during the opening half.
The Dutch were understandably disappointed. Their federation noted that the team shot exactly 50 percent from the field and received 23 points from Van der Vuurst de Vries, 21 from Yannick Franke and 19 from David N’Guessan, yet still finished one possession short of victory.
For Croatia, the final buzzer brought relief — but also confirmation of something Mijatović believes has been developing throughout the campaign.
Mijatović Praises Croatia’s Character
The Croatian coach focused less on tactics after the game than on the mentality his players showed after half-time. He acknowledged that the Netherlands had played at an extremely high level early in the contest and admitted that Croatia needed time to adjust to the intensity and pressure they encountered.
Once they did, however, the game changed.
Mijatović praised his players for their character, determination and willingness to make the defensive plays that had been missing before half-time. He stressed that every contribution mattered, whether it came through rebounding, physical defence, passing or shot-making.
For the Croatian coach, the nature of the victory made it particularly valuable. Coming back from a large deficit was one challenge; completing the comeback and then surviving a tense finish was another.
Dominik Mavra made a similar point. He admitted Croatia had not played well for significant stretches, but argued that the ability to win matches they once might have lost represents an important change in the team’s mentality.
The performance was imperfect.
The response was not.
Croatia’s Offence Continues to Make History
The victory also extended a remarkable offensive sequence.
Croatia had already become the first European team in World Cup qualifying history to score at least 100 points in three consecutive games. By reaching 101 in Almere, they extended that run to four — a first not only in Europe, but across every regional World Cup qualifying competition.
The streak includes a 115–80 victory over Latvia in Zadar just three days earlier, a result that had already strengthened Croatia’s position in Group K.
That offensive consistency is becoming one of the defining features of Mijatović’s team. Croatia have elite scoring options inside through Zubac, versatility through Šarić, individual shot-making through Hezonja and additional creation from players such as Smith and Božić.
Against the Netherlands, all of those elements were eventually required.
Hezonja finished with 16 points, four rebounds and four assists, meaning Croatia’s four leading scorers — Zubac, Šarić, Božić and Hezonja — combined for 82 of the team’s 101 points.
A Huge Step Toward Qatar
The importance of the victory becomes even clearer when looking at Group K.
After eight games, Croatia stand at 7–1, level with Germany and Poland. Latvia are fourth at 4–4, while the Netherlands and Israel are both 2–6. The top three teams qualify directly for the 2027 World Cup, meaning Croatia have created a three-win cushion over the team currently occupying the first non-qualifying position.
Qualification is not yet mathematically complete, but Croatia have placed themselves in an excellent position with four games remaining.
That matters enormously for a national team that has not appeared at a World Cup since 2014. Croatia finished tenth at that tournament in Spain and subsequently failed to qualify for both the 2019 and 2023 editions.
The 2027 World Cup in Qatar therefore represents an opportunity to end a long absence from basketball’s biggest global tournament.
The route is not finished, and Mijatović has repeatedly stressed the importance of moving one game at a time. But after victories over Latvia and the Netherlands, Croatia no longer look like a team hoping to stay in the qualification race.
They look like a team controlling its own path.
More Than Just Another Win
There will be areas for Croatia to analyse. Conceding 58 points in the first half and allowing the Netherlands to reach 99 overall is hardly the defensive standard Mijatović will want to repeat against stronger opponents.
But qualifiers are ultimately defined by victories, and this was the kind of game that can carry significance beyond the standings.
Croatia were poor enough in the first half to lose. They fell 14 points behind on the road, faced a confident opponent and spent the closing minutes under enormous pressure.
They still found a way to win.
That resilience may matter just as much as the historic scoring numbers when the qualification campaign reaches its decisive stage.
Croatia left Almere with a 101–99 victory, a 7–1 record and another major step toward Qatar. More importantly, they left with further evidence that this team can now win in more than one way — even when almost everything goes wrong before it begins to go right.
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