CROATIA – GREECE 3:2 (Kačavenda 15′, Beljo 34′, Vušković 76’/Kostoulas 45’+3′, Bakoulas 45’+4′)
Croatia: Čavlina – Valinčić, Vušković, Prpić (Barzić 46′), Hrgović (Cvijanović 46′) – Kačavenda (Crnac 64′), Belcar, Soldo, Vidović (Zvonarek 64′) – Ivanović (Pavić 78′), Beljo
Greece: Balomenos – Koutsogoulas, Konstatopoulos, Kostis (Kalogeropoulos 55′), Apostopoulos (Kitsos 78′) – Bakoulas (Tzimas 78′), Kourfalidis, Mouzakitis – C. Kostoulas, Koutsias, Niarchos (Zouglis 55′)
Nothing is without drama! As the first team plays, the Croatian U21 national team also plays. Croatia U21 defeated their peers from Greece 3:2 and thus qualified for the additional qualifications to be played in November this year. Croatia will know their opponent in two days.
The young Croatian U-21 national team achieved an important victory over Greece with a score of 3:2 in a dramatic match played in Koprivnica. Thus, Croatia secured a place in the additional qualifications for the European Championship that will be held in Slovakia next year. Croatia’s opponent in these additional qualifications will be known after the draw, which will be held this Thursday at noon.
Croatia took the lead in the 16th minute when Lukas Kačavenda rattled the net with a precise shot after a great assist from Dion Beljo. Beljo continued with a great game and, only 19 minutes later, in the 35th minute, scored a goal to increase the lead to 2:0.
Greece, however, managed to restore uncertainty at the end of the first half. In the third minute of stoppage time, Konstantinos Kostoulas reduced the score to 2:1, and only a minute later, Greece equalized through Sotiris Bakoulas, bringing additional drama to the match.
The decisive moment it occurred in the 76th minute when Luka Vušković gave Croatia the victory. After Lovro Zvonarek‘s cross from the corner on the left, Vušković did a great job at the first post and deflected the ball into the net, securing Croatia’s key points.
With this victory, the young Croatian national team showed their character and quality. They now face the challenge of additional qualifications, where they will look to advance to the finals of the EURO 2025.
