Tuesday marked a significant day for Croatian youth football, as both the Under-17 and Under-19 national teams secured qualification for their respective European Championships. The Under-17 squad, led by coach Marijan Budimir, went a step further, also earning a direct berth to the FIFA U-17 World Cup. Marijan Kustić, President of the Croatian Football Federation (HNS), lauded the achievements as a testament to the nation’s growing footballing prowess.
“This represents a wonderful day for Croatian football and one of the most cherished since I’ve had the privilege of leading the Croatian Football Federation,” Kustić stated, according to the official HNS website. “We all know how incredible This proves for a small country like Croatia to have three world medals, but it’s also remarkable that a country with less than 4 million people can qualify for two European Championships and one World Championship in the under-17 and under-19 age groups in a single day. I am extremely proud of these boys, their coaching staffs, the people at the Federation, club coaches, and their families – everyone who supports them in their football development.”
The success comes on the heels of a strong showing from Croatia’s youth teams. The U-19s, under the guidance of Siniša Oreščanin, have returned to the European Championship after a decade-long absence. The U-17s’ qualification for both the European Championship in Estonia and the World Championship in Qatar represents a particularly notable achievement, securing their place at the global tournament for the second consecutive year. Croatia finished first in their qualifying group after a 1-1 draw with Poland, with Jakov Dedić scoring a crucial equalizing goal from a free kick in the 73rd minute.
Kustić emphasized that these results are not simply a matter of luck, but rather the product of a systematic approach to youth development within Croatian football. He extended congratulations not only to the players and coaches – Oreščanin and Budimir – but also to the HNS technical director Stipe Pletikosa, chief instructor Petar Krpan, HNS staff, regional instructors, and the coaches and staff at club academies who work with these players daily. He also acknowledged Zoran Vulić, who led the U-19 team through the initial qualifying rounds.
“These brilliant results are certainly the result of the talent, skill, and effort of our players, but they are also a reflection of the systematic work in Croatian football,” Kustić continued. “congratulations and thanks go to the excellent players, coaches Siniša Oreščanin and Marijan Budimir, their coaching staffs, technical director Stipe Pletikosa, chief instructor Petar Krpan, HNS employees, all regional instructors, and certainly the coaches and staff in club academies who work with these players every day.”
Kustić underscored the importance of continued investment in youth development, stating that the HNS will provide the necessary resources for the cadet and junior teams to prepare for upcoming major competitions. Whereas acknowledging that there will be no undue pressure for results, he expressed confidence that the young players will represent Croatian football to the best of their ability.
“Great and continuous successes do not come by chance or on their own – they are the culmination of the joint efforts of all those involved in youth development, from the HNS through the counties and centers to the clubs, and are a confirmation of excellent work at all levels and therefore a source of pride for all of us. We will, of course, provide our cadets and juniors with quality conditions for preparing for the major competitions that await them, and whereas there is no pressure for results – I am sure they will represent Croatian football in the best possible way,” Kustić concluded.
The U-17 team will participate in the European Championship in Estonia from May 25th to June 7th, with the draw scheduled for April 9th in Tallinn. The U-19s will continue their qualification path for the European Championship later this year. These successes highlight the strength of the Croatian football system and offer a promising outlook for the future of the sport in the country.
For fans eager to follow the progress of these young talents, the HNS website (https://hns.team/) will provide ongoing updates, schedules, and results. The qualification achievements of both the U-17 and U-19 teams represent a significant boost for Croatian football, demonstrating the effectiveness of the nation’s youth development programs and setting the stage for continued success on the international stage.
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