January 25, 2022 - Croatia fell to Russia in the second Group C match of the UEFA Futsal Euro 2022 held in the Netherlands. Croatia will play their final Group C match on January 29 against Slovakia to determine which team will join Russia in the quarterfinals. 

After defeating Poland at the start of the European Futsal Championship in the Netherlands, the Croatia national futsal team lost in the second round to Russia 4:0.

The match was off to a poor start for Croatia as Vedran Matošević earned a red card for a tough challenge on Robinho. Russia quickly capitalized with an extra player when Antoshkin scored for 1:0 in the third minute.

It took Croatia time to establish their rhythm, but it didn't take long for Russia to put their second goal past goalkeeper Žarko Luketin. Paulinho scored for 2:0 in the 12th minute. 

Croatia had plenty of opportunities in the first half. Marinović threatened Russia's goal twice, Jelovčić and Jurlina once, but at the very end of the first 20 minutes, Russia scored a new goal thanks to Čiškala for 3:0 at the half. 

The match was pretty even as the second half began, and only one goal was scored. Antoshkin scored his second goal of the match in the 26th minute for the final 4:0. 

Russia thus secured first place in the group and a place in the quarterfinals. Poland and Slovakia will play the other Group C match later tonight. 

In the last round of Group C, Croatia will meet Slovakia, and Russia will face Poland. Only then will it be known who will advance to the quarterfinals with Russia.

The 3rd round matches are scheduled for 14:30 on January 29. The Croatia - Slovakia match is broadcast on HTV2.

The 2022 UEFA Euro Futsal tournament is hosted for the first time in the Netherlands. 

Euro, Group C (Round 2):

Croatia - Russia 0:4 (Antoshkin 3, 26, Paulinho 12, Chiskala 20)

Poland - Slovakia (20:30)

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

March 4, 2021 - The Croatia futsal team recorded its third victory in the European Championship qualifiers in an excellent match against Ukraine in Osijek on Wednesday.

After the successful opening of the European Championship qualification cycle in 2022, with victories against Albania and Denmark, Marinko Mavrović's Croatia welcomed the main competitor for first place, the national team of Ukraine.

The match in Osijek could not have started better for Croatia: in the second minute, Suton finished a quick action for the lead. However, Pedias scored in the ninth minute from a distance to equalize, and shortly before the half, Malyshko beat Luketin for the Ukraine lead (2:1).

Slobodan Kadic

That result stood on the scoreboard until the last five minutes of the game. Perić first assisted Jelovčić for 2:2, and then they switched roles - Jelovčić served Perić, who hit the back of the net for the Croatia victory (3:2).

Slobodan Kadic

"Well done to the boys; we kept a high rhythm and pressure; it was not easy to play against them," coach Mavrović told HNTV.

"We have a good atmosphere in the team. Everyone gave a lot to this victory. This victory brought us very close to the European Championships; we did what we wanted," added the coach after his third appearance on the Croatia bench and the third victory.

Croatia now leads the table with nine points, Ukraine and Denmark have three points each, but one match less, while Albania is at the bottom without points.

A spot at the 2022 European Championships in the Netherlands will be won by the winners of eight groups and the six best second-placed teams.

The two weakest second-placed national teams will fight for a spot as well. 

In the second match of Group 1, Denmark won in Albania 3:1.

Croatia will play against Ukraine again on Sunday, March 7, this time in Zaporizhia.

Futsal EURO Qualifiers, Group 1:
1. Croatia 9 (3)
2. Ukraine 3 (2)
3. Denmark 3 (2)
4. Albania 0 (3)

Source: HNS

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

February 2, 2020 - The Croatia futsal team met Russia in Osijek on Saturday to determine which team would directly qualify for the 2020 World Cup.

The Croatia futsal team failed to defeat World Cup finalists Russia at the end of the qualifying tournament of the Elite Circuit in Osijek. With this win, Russia wins first place in the group and automatically qualifies for the tournament in Lithuania, while Croatia sits in second place and will compete in the playoffs.

Lima led Russia on Saturday with a goal in the seventh minute, though Bajrusovic returned in the 16th minute for 1:1. However, a new goal by Lima and a goal by L. Sutton gave Russia a two-goal advantage at halftime (3:1).

Matosevic made the match uncertain one more with a great long-range goal in the 33rd minute for 3:2, though Romulo made it 4:2 six minutes later. 

Matosevic scored the final goal of the game for the final score of 4:3, as Croatia failed to equalize in the last thirty seconds. 

Thus, with six points, Russia is first in the standings, with Croatia in second, ahead of Azerbaijan and Slovakia, who played 3:3 in the previous match.

Coach Stankovic will lead his team through the World Cup qualifiers in two games (April 9-12), against the second-placed team in Group D, which features Kazakhstan, the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Romania.

“Congratulations to Russia, we were beaten in an exciting match, and futsal won. We were cheered on by people from all over Croatia in Osijek, which shows that this sport has its place under the sun,” Stankovic said after the match.

"Our primary goal was the playoffs, we accomplished that, though there are some regrets because in front of the full hall at home, we could have avoided new qualifying matches. But we will prepare and do our best to qualify for the World Cup,” Stankovic concluded.

Source: HNS

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page.

September 12, 2019 - Croatia celebrated against Portugal in the Under-19 Euro championship semifinal on Thursday for a spot in the final on Saturday! 

Gol.hr reports that the Croatia futsal team made it to the final of the premier Under-19 European Championship in Latvia after topping Portugal in the semifinal with a result of 5:4 in penalties. 

Marinko Mavrovic’s side will play in the final against Spain on Saturday.

Croatia celebrated against Portugal after coming back twice from behind - first in the final moments of the match and then extra time.

Portugal led with a goal by Celio in the 30th minute. Although Portugal had their chances for a second goal, Croatia did not give up on the hunt for the equalizer, and with a man up, Josip Jurlina scored for 1:1 two seconds before the final whistle. 

Portugal gained a new advantage in the last minute of the first half of extra time when Rodrigues crossed from the sideline and Chuva scored from close range to make it 2:1. Croatia equalized thanks to Fran Vukelic's goal two minutes before the end of the second half. 

The winner was then decided in penalties, and in the third, final round, Croatian goalkeeper Nikola Cizmic defended Neves' attempt. Jurlina then scored for the great success of the young Croatia side. 

?????? @HNS_CFF?? ?????? #U19Futsal pic.twitter.com/hwazQqld55

— UEFA Futsal (@UEFAFutsal) September 12, 2019

Croatia reached the semi-final in Riga with victories over the Netherlands and Ukraine, after an initial defeat against Spain, while Portugal won Group A with all three victories, against Latvia, Poland, and Russia.

Equalise with 2 seconds left✔

Score winning penalty✔

What a day for Josip Jurlina in @HNS_CFF's #U19Futsal EURO semi-final win??????? pic.twitter.com/yNZZ9ptH2P

— UEFA Futsal (@UEFAFutsal) September 12, 2019

Spain and Poland met in the second semifinal, which Spain won 3:1. Croatia and Spain will meet in the final, scheduled for Saturday, September 14, at 20:00.

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

A star futsal signing for Split.

Exciting futsal action in Split.