December 2, 2019 - Fourteen thousand lucky Croatia fans will be able to support the national team in their opening match of the Euros against England at Wembley. 

On Saturday, November 30, UEFA announced the number of tickets available for the European Championships next summer. 

“Fans of the 20 countries that have already qualified for UEFA EURO 2020 will be able to apply for tickets to watch their teams’ games when they go on sale exclusively at EURO2020.com on Wednesday 4 December at 14:00 CET. 

Supporters will have until 14:00 CET on 18 December to snap up these must-have tickets for the tournament, which celebrates 60 years of the UEFA European Football Championship, with the final at the world’s most famous football ground, Wembley Stadium in London. 

Supporters of the four teams who qualify through the European Qualifiers play-offs will be able to apply for tickets shortly after the completion of these matches, which will be played from 26 to 31 March 2020. 

Over half the tickets being made available for all games will be in the cheapest price category, with prices for group stage matches starting at €30 (in Baku, Bucharest and Budapest) and €50 in the other host cities. 

This latest round of sales follows the hugely successful general public ticket sales in summer 2019, when 19.3 million ticket requests were received between 12 June and 12 July 2019 for the 1.5 million tickets on offer. 

UEFA EURO 2020 is the biggest UEFA European Football Championship ever, with over 3 million tickets available, 82% of which are allocated to all fans,”  UEFA announced in a press release. 

Thus, Croatia and England fans will receive 28,000 tickets for the first-round match of Group D in London. There will be 14,000 tickets for Croatia fans for the first round of the Euros, scheduled for June 14 at Wembley Stadium in London. 

Niksa Martinac of HNS ticket distribution explained how things would work to 24 Sata. 

“The federations of the national teams playing each other will share the tickets available for the fans 50-50, with England as the host receiving 1,000 more tickets,” Martinac explained.

Applications for Croatia fans begin on December 4 and end on December 18. A quarter of the tickets held by HNS, which would mean 2,500 tickets for Glasgow, go to those who are old customers' through HNS, that is, those who have purchased tickets in the last three cycles - qualifications and Euros in France, qualifications and World Cup in Russia, and the Nations League. Those not included in that quarter enter the lottery, and everything goes through UEFA.

By the end of January, all those who have applied will be notified. Those who are not selected in the lottery will have a chance if someone fails to pay,” explains Martinac.

Croatia fans will receive 14,000 for the match against England and 10,000 tickets for the matches in Glasgow. The first category of tickets costs 185 euro, the second category 125, and the third category 50 euro.

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

November 30, 2019 - The Euro 2020 draw was held in Bucharest from 6 pm on Saturday. Croatia will play in Group D with England, the Czech Republic, and the winner of Nations League C. 

The draw for the highly anticipated Euro 2020 began at 6 pm in Bucharest, one of the 12 host cities of this first-time format. The draw included 20 national teams who have already qualified, while we'll find out the four remaining teams in March when the Nations League finals are held. 

Croatia was drawn into Group D with England, the Czech Republic, and the winner of Nations League C (Norway/Serbia v Scotland/Israel).

You can see all of the Euro 2020 groups below:

Group A: Italy, Switzerland, Turkey, Wales

Group B: Belgium, Russia, Denmark, Finland

Group C: Ukraine, Netherlands, Austria, A/D-League Playoff Winner

Group D: England, Croatia, Czech Republic, C-League Playoff Winner (Norway/Serbia v Scotland/Israel)

Group E: Spain, Poland, Sweden, winner of the B-League Playoff Winner

Group F: Germany, France, Portugal, D/A-League Playoff Winner

The pots for the draw were as follows:

Pot 1: Italy, Belgium, England, Germany, Ukraine, and Spain

Pot 2: France, Poland, Switzerland, CROATIA, the Netherlands and Russia

Pot 3: Portugal, Turkey, Austria, Denmark, Sweden, Czech Republic

Pot 4: Finland, Wales, play-off A, play-off B, play-off C, play-off D

Recall that Croatia could only be drawn in groups A, D, E and F. 

Croatia could not be drawn into Group B, where Denmark and Russia are the hosts, and Group C, with the host Netherlands. Before Saturday, we knew that the possible opponents for Croatia were Italy, England, Spain, and Germany.

The first game of Euro 2020 will be played in Group A, in Rome, Italy starting at 9 pm. 

You can see a breakdown of the cities and stadiums hosting the competition below:

GROUP A

Rome (Italy) - Olimpico (72.698)

Baku (Azerbaijan) - Baku Olympic Stadium (68.700)

GROUP B

Saint Peterburg (Russia) - Gazprom Arena (68.134)

Copenhagen (Denmark) - Parken (38.065)

GROUP C

Amsterdam (Netherlands) - Johan Cruyff Arena (54.990)

Bucharest (Romania) - Arena National (55.600)

GROUP D

London (England) - Wembley (90.000)

Glasgow (Sweden) - Hampden Park (52.063)

GROUP E

Bilbao (Spain) - San Mames (53.332)

Dublin (Republic of Ireland) - Aviva (51.700)

GROUP F

Munich (Germany) - Allianz Arena (75.000)

Budapest (Hungary) - Puskas Arena (67.889)

ROUND OF 16

Bucharest, Copenhagen, Bilbao, London, Glasgow, Dublin, Budapest, Amsterdam

QUARTERFINAL

Saint Petersburg, Munich, Rome, Baku

SEMIFINAL

London

FINAL

London

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

November 20, 2019 - Who can Croatia potentially face at the Euros next summer? A closer look.

After Tuesday's games, we know the 20 national teams that directly qualified for the European Championships next year. 

Four more national teams will be hoping for a spot at the Euros through additional qualifications based on their placement in the Nations League.

Austria, Belgium, Croatia, the Czech Republic, England, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine, Switzerland, Denmark and Wales will play at the tournament next summer, which opens on June 12 in Rome and ends on July 12 at Wembley in London. 

What awaits Croatia? Index.hr breaks it down.

Croatia won their qualifying group but failed to be among the top six national teams in the qualifications and will be placed in the second group of the draw, or the second strongest rankings.

For the first time in history, the draw will not use national team rankings by UEFA, but by rankings from these qualifications. 

Pot 1: Italy, Belgium, England, Germany, Ukraine, and Spain

Pot 2: France, Poland, Switzerland, Croatia, the Netherlands, and Russia

Pot 3: Portugal, Turkey, Austria, Denmark, Sweden, Czech Republic

Pot 4: Finland, Wales, Playoff A, Playoff B, Playoff C, Playoff D

The teams will be divided into four groups with six teams each. There will be six top-ranked national teams in the first. The second will have the remaining four top-ranked teams (including Croatia) and the two best second-placed national teams. The third group will have the remaining second-best teams and the last will have the two worst runner-up teams and four additional qualification winners. Additional qualifications are completed by the Nations League ranking (A, B, C, and D).

As Germany defeated Northern Ireland in the last round, they secured a position in the first pot and pushed the Netherlands into the second, which also includes Croatia. This means that Croatia will not be able to play against the Netherlands or any other national team from this group. 

Why can't Croatia play against Belgium and Ukraine?

Croatia knew before the draw that it would certainly not play in Group C, as the host of the group is the Netherlands, who is in their group. The Netherlands will thus balance forces with Ukraine, while the other host of Group C, Romania, must successfully complete additional qualifications to compete in that group.

Croatia also cannot play against Belgium. Why?

Russia is the second seed, like Croatia, and is guaranteed to host a game in St. Petersburg. Denmark, the third seed, is also hosting a game in Copenhagen. Given that Russia cannot be in the same group as Ukraine, the only remaining first seed in that group is Belgium.

Thus, Croatia’s possible strongest rivals are Italy, England, Spain and Germany.

Potential groups

Group A: Italy, France / Poland / Switzerland / Croatia, Portugal / Turkey / Austria / Sweden / Czech Republic, Wales or Finland

Group B: Belgium, Denmark, Russia, Wales or Finland

Group C: Ukraine, Netherlands, Portugal / Turkey / Austria / Sweden / Czech Republic, winner of Group A, C or D in additional qualifications

Group D: England, France / Poland / Switzerland / Croatia, Portugal / Turkey / Austria / Sweden / Czech Republic, Group C or D Winner in additional qualifications

Group E: Spain, France / Poland / Switzerland / Croatia, Portugal / Turkey / Austria / Sweden / Czech Republic, Group B Winner in additional qualifications

Group F: Germany, France / Poland / Switzerland / Croatia, Portugal / Turkey / Austria / Sweden / Czech Republic, winner of Group A, C or D in additional qualifications

For the first time in history, additional qualifications are completed according to results from the Nationals League. The Euro draw will take place on November 30 in Bucharest, but additional qualifications will only be played from March 26 to 31 next year.

There will be four separate mini-tournaments played in the Final Four format. A draw will determine the host of the finals of each mini-tournament, but it will certainly be one of the teams participating in that tournament.

For now, it is known that in League B, Bosnia and Herzegovina will host Northern Ireland and Slovakia will host Ireland in one game. The winners will compete for one spot from that division.

In League D, Georgia - Belarus and Northern Macedonia - Kosovo will play, and in League C Norway and Serbia and Scotland against either Bulgaria - Israel - Hungary - Romania.

The other three will go to the League A play-offs, with only Iceland not directly qualifying for the Euro. The League A and League C playoff draw will be held this Friday at Nyon at noon.

League A

Iceland - Bulgaria / Israel / Hungary / Romania, the second pair between these teams

League B

BiH - Northern Ireland, Slovakia - Ireland

League C

Scotland - Bulgaria / Israel / Hungary / Romania, Norway - Serbia

League D

Georgia - Belarus, North Macedonia - Kosovo

Twenty-four national teams will play in the European Championships and matches will be played in 12 countries. National teams will be divided into six groups of four teams, and the two best national teams from each group and four best third places will move forward. This decision was made seven years ago to mark the 60th anniversary of the first European Championship. 

The first game will be played in Group A, in Rome, Italy starting at 9 pm. 

You can see a breakdown of the cities and stadiums hosting the competition below:

GROUP A

Rome (Italy) - Olimpico (72.698)

Baku (Azerbaijan) - Baku Olympic Stadium (68.700)

GROUP B

Saint Peterburg (Russia) - Gazprom Arena (68.134)

Copenhagen (Denmark) - Parken (38.065)

GROUP C

Amsterdam (Netherlands) - Johan Cruyff Arena (54.990)

Bucharest (Romania) - Arena National (55.600)

GROUP D

London (England) - Wembley (90.000)

Glasgow (Sweden) - Hampden Park (52.063)

GROUP E

Bilbao (Spain) - San Mames (53.332)

Dublin (Republic of Ireland) - Aviva (51.700)

GROUP F

Munich (Germany) - Allianz Arena (75.000)

Budapest (Hungary) - Puskas Arena (67.889)

ROUND OF 16

Bucharest, Copenhagen, Bilbao, London, Glasgow, Dublin, Budapest, Amsterdam

QUARTERFINAL

Saint Petersburg, Munich, Rome, Baku

SEMIFINAL

London

FINAL

London

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

November 19, 2019 - After qualifying for Euro 2020 at Rujevica Stadium on Saturday with a win against Slovakia, the Croatia national team played a friendly match against Georgia in Pula. 

Georgia finished fourth in their Euro 2020 qualifying group behind Denmark, Switzerland, and Ireland, but will participate in additional qualifications for the Euro in March. Namely, Georgia welcomes Belarus at home in the Nations League 'D League' tournament, and if they win that match, they will play the winner of North Macedonia - Kosovo.

The Croatia national team had played against Georgia twice before the friendly on Tuesday, both in competitive matches. Croatia and Georgia met first as part of the 2012 European Championship qualifiers in Poland and Ukraine. They lost in Tbilisi 1:0 thanks to a Kobiasvili goal in the 90th minute. The second time the teams met was in Split when they celebrated thanks to goals by Mandzukic and Kalinic in the 76th and 78th minutes.

Thus, on Tuesday, in front of just over 4,000 fans, Croatia and Georgia met for the third time. Standard captain Luka Modric left the squad early to rejoin his club in Madrid, leaving Ivan Perisic to captain the team for the friendly. Dalic set out with a team of players who had never played together before tonight. The lineup included goalkeeper Lovre Kalinic - Karlo Bartolec, Tin Jedvaj, Mile Skoric, Dario Melnjak - Milan Badelj, Mateo Kovacic - Ivan Perisic, Mario Pasalic, Ante Rebic - Mislav Orsic.

Croatia was a bit shaky at the start of the first half, which saw Georgia take the lead in the 19th minute thanks to a goal by Giorgi Papunashvili. It didn't take long for Croatia to equalize, however, and just six minutes later, a Croatia free-kick saw Kashia score an own goal for 1:1. Croatia had a few promising chances for the remainder of the half, though it ended 1:1. 

At the start of the second half, Dalic subbed Simon Sluga in goal for Lovre Kalinic. Duje Caleta-Car came in for Tin Jedvaj, Josip Juranovic came in for Karl Bartolec, and Marko Rog played for Mislav Orsic.

It didn't take long for Croatia to score their second goal. A stunning cross from Josip Juranovic found the head of Ivan Perisic, who scored for 2:1 in the 53rd minute!

In the 65th minute, Nikola Vlasic came in for Mateo Kovacic, and Dino Peric came in for Mario Pasalic in the 75th. A downpour made it difficult for either team to score, and the game ended 2:1 for Croatia.

This is the final game of the Croatia national team in 2019. 

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

November 16, 2019 - The Croatia national team and Slovakia met in Croatia's final Euro 2020 qualifier of Group E on Saturday night at Rujevica stadium in Rijeka. 

Croatia played their final qualifying match for placement in the European Championship next year on Saturday night in rainy Rijeka to just over 8200 fans.

Dalic's side was without World Cup stars Ivan Rakitic, Dejan Lovren, Domagoj Vida and Andrej Kramaric, and played with a younger squad that included Dominik Livakovic, Tin Jedvaj, Duje Caleta-Car, Dino Peric, Borna Barisic, Marcelo Brozovic, Luka Modric, Ante Rebic, Nikola Vlasic, Ivan Perisic and Bruno Petkovic. Recall, Croatia defeated Slovakia 4:0 in Trnava back in September. Croatia started the game at the top of Group E. 

Croatia had their first attack of the game already in the second minute - Perisic crossed into the box though Slovakia defended. Bruno Petkovic forced Croatia's first corner in the 4th minute. Modric played it short to Borna Barisic, who failed to get a good shot in. 

A brilliant play by Nikola Vlasic found Petkovic, who played the ball to Modric. Modric's shot was defended by the Slovakia defense, though the play ultimately resulted in a corner. 

Slovakia's first corner came in the 11th minute, though Barisic had no problem clearing it out. Slovakia was beginning to attack, but Croatia's defense remained solid. 

Croatia was beginning to press but was unable to string plays together in the box. Another corner in the 20th minute saw Caleta-Car head the ball into the keeper. 

Nikola Vlasic played Brozovic in the 24th minute, which he hit wide of the goal. A brilliant Modric cross found the head of Vlasic moments later, which the keeper tapped over the goal for a corner, though they were unable to capitalize. 

Slovakia was dangerous in the 29th minute though Livakovic was there to save the day. Croatia seemed to control the game with 15 to go in the first half. However, one minute later, Slovakia had their chance - Bozenik scored for 0:1. 

Croatia picked up their game in the minutes that followed and pressed Slovakia's defense. Perisic almost scored the equalizer, though the Slovakia keeper was quicker to the ball. 

In the 38th minute, Petkovic fired at the keeper who made a brilliant save to keep Slovakia in the lead. The atmosphere at Rujevica was dulling. Slovakia had two more dangerous attacks with a minute to go and Croatia's fragile defense was lucky it wasn't more. One last attack for Croatia was unfruitful. The game ended 0:1 at the half. 

Dalic made no changes to the lineup to begin the second half. 

A Croatia corner in the 53rd hit the post.  Another corner in the next play saw Rebic hit over the goal. Josip Brekalo went in for Rebic in the 53rd. 

Croatia was pressing and the fresh legs helped. They finally had their chance in the 55th minute - Nikola Vlasic scored for 1:1! 

A quick counter for Croatia in the 58th resulted in a corner, which found the head of Bruno Petkovic for 2:1! The Dinamo star almost had his second goal in the 61st but shot at the keeper. Brekalo shot from outside the box moments later but hit over the goal. The atmosphere at Rujevica was far better in the second half. 

Slovakia's Hak received his second yellow of the game in the 65th minute and was forced to play a man down for the rest of the game. 

Perisic played a perfect through ball to Brekalo in the 70th though the keeper pushed him to the goal line for an out. 

Croatia was on fire - and a brilliant cross by Barisic found the foot of Perisic for a volley into the goal. The game was now 3:1! 

Mateo Kovacic came on for Nikola Vlasic in the 74th minute.  

Croatia had another stellar chance in the 77th - Brekalo stole the ball from the Slovakia defender, played Modric to Petkovic, who played Perisic, though he shot just wide of the goal. 

Brekalo had an unlucky shot at the keeper in the 80th. Mislav Orsic was subbed on for Perisic in the 81st.

A few more attacks in the final minutes of the game proved unsuccessful, and the game ended 3:1 for Croatia! 

With this win, Croatia finishes at the top of Group E and secures their spot at the Euros next summer! 

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

November 11, 2019 - Croatia national team coach Zlatko Dalic announced the upcoming Euro qualifier against Slovakia.

The Croatia national team plays their final match for a spot in the Euro 2020 this Saturday. Croatia and Slovakia meet at 20:45 in Rijeka.

The national team gathered in Zagreb on Monday, followed by a trip to Opatija, which will be the team’s base until Saturday. Coach Zlatko Dalic has activated call ups Marko Rog and Josip Juranovic.

"We await the decisive match for the European Championships. We got them in Slovakia, but we should not be fooled by that match, because this will be one completely different. At the beginning of qualifications, we said that 15 points would be enough and so it is. But, no we are going to get a point, we are going to win. We are missing stoppers and we are looking for solutions there,” Dalic said at the beginning of his address to the media.

Shortly before the press conference, news arrived that Ivan Rakitic would most likely be unable to play due to injury. This time, his tendons are inflamed, which should result in about a week of rest. Rakitic did arrive in Zagreb and will be examined by national team doctors.

"Kramaric is coming, but he is returning to his club. Matej Mitrovic felt some problem at training. If the situation is questionable, we will not risk it. Ivan Rakitic felt something in his Achilles tendon, so we will take a look and if there is a problem, he will return to Barcelona. If Mitrovic doesn't play, then the options for the backs are Juranovic, Bartolec and Jedvaj.”

What does Dalic expect from Slovakia?

“Slovakia has the strongest midfield. Lobotka Hamsik, and Kucka. They play all the time, they are in shape, and we are expecting a big fight in the middle of the pitch. We have to stop Lobotka from organizing the game. It's risky, and we punished them in Slovakia, so I believe they won’t open completely this time. Our last line concerns me a little. We have to attack high, not defend."

Source: Index.hr

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

October 28, 2019 - Croatia welcomes their last Euro 2020 qualifier next month against Slovakia as the first team in the group. Zlatko Dalic has announced the player list. 

On Saturday, November 16, at 8:45 pm, Croatia and Slovakia will play their last Euro 2020 qualifier at Rujevica stadium in Rijeka. Three days later, a friendly against Georgia is scheduled in Pula.

The team will gather in Zagreb on November 11, where they will hold a charity dinner for the Vatreno Srce Foundation the same evening and will stay in Opatija from November 12 to prepare for the match against Slovakia at NK Rijeka’s stadium. 

On Monday, coach Zlatko Dalic announced the list for the upcoming qualifier, which features the return of two important players - Marseille stopper Duje Ćaleta-Car was called back to the national team for objective reasons, while striker Andrej Kramarić, who scored two goals after returning to the pitch just a week ago, has recovered from his injury.

There is no Domagoj Vida or Dejan Lovren on Dalić's list, as they cannot compete against Slovakia due to yellow cards. The player list also includes four potential call-ups - Marko Rog, Filip Bradarić, Marin Leovac and Josip Juranović, who will be activated if the need arises before the first or second game.

“There is a big game ahead of us in Rijeka and I fully believe these players will respond to such a challenge in the right way. We will not be distracted by the match in Trnava, Slovakia is a very good team and can be a very dangerous opponent. Still, Croatia has higher quality, experience and the overwhelming ambition to cheered for as a nation like in Russia. With the support of the full stadium, I do not doubt a positive and successful finish to these qualifications,” said coach Zlatko Dalic.

Recall, Croatia topped Slovakia 4:0 in Trnava in September. 

List of players for Slovakia and Georgia:

Goalkeepers: Lovre Kalinić (Aston Villa), Dominik Livaković (Dinamo), Simon Sluga (Luton Town)

Defenders: Tin Jedvaj (Augsburg), Matej Mitrović (Club Brugge), Borna Barišić (Glasgow Rangers), Karlo Bartolec (Kobenhavn), Duje Ćaleta-Car (Marseille), Mile Škorić (Osijek), Dario Melnjak (Rizespor), Dino Perić (Dinamo)

Midfielders: Luka Modrić (Real Madrid), Ivan Rakitić (Barcelona), Mateo Kovačić (Chelsea), Marcelo Brozović (Inter), Milan Badelj (Fiorentina), Mario Pašalić (Atalanta), Nikola Vlašić (CSKA Moskva)

Attackers: Ivan Perišić (Bayern), Andrej Kramarić (Hoffenheim), Ante Rebić (Milan), Josip Brekalo (Wolfsburg), Bruno Petković (Dinamo), Mislav Oršić (Dinamo)

Call-ups: Marko Rog (Cagliari), Filip Bradarić (Hajduk), Marin Leovac (Dinamo), Josip Juranović (Hajduk)

Source: Gol.hr

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

October 25, 2019 - For the second year in a row, the Vatreno Srce Foundation, founded more than ten years ago by the players and staff of the Croatia national football team, will hold a donation campaign to raise funds for the treatment and education of children in Croatia.

HRT reports that the action will take place on November 11th with a broadcast on HRT 2 starting at 8 pm. Donations will also be collected through a call center featuring Croatia national team members, staff members, and numerous public figures as well as friends of the national team.

Ahead of the decisive qualifying match for EURO 2020 against Slovakia on November 16 at Rujevica stadium, the 2018 World Cup finalists will rejoin forces and help raise money for the Pediatric Clinic of the Kantrida Children's Hospital and for 'Step to Life' (Korak u život), which helps children without adequate parental care to continue their university education.

HRT screenshot 2018

“In the last two years on the Croatia national team bench, I have convinced myself that our national team has an incredibly big heart. They have shown it a lot of times on the pitch, and that is why they are great football players, but they also show it off the pitch, and that is why they are great people.

I am looking forward to a new donor dinner. I urge all fans to make their contribution this time from the heart and show that they are always with the team, both in the stadiums and in these actions,” said coach Zlatko Dalic, who is also a member of the Foundation's Board of Directors.

HRT screenshot 2018

“Participating in the Vatreno Srce Foundation is one of the most important roles of every captain of the Croatia national team, and on behalf of teammates, I can say that we are proud to be socially engaged in this way, as a team, to help children and the youth. Maybe, thanks to the popularity of football, we are many role models. Still, the biggest heroes are the children who are heroically battling diseases and the youth who do not have the right conditions for education. I am convinced that our fans agree with that and, therefore, I urge them to support the Vatreno Srce Foundation again,” said Croatia captain Luka Modric.

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

October 14, 2019 - TCN contributor Valentino Komusar takes a more in-depth look into the football career of Dinamo star and Croatia national team member Bruno Petkovic.

“It’s a dream of every football player to play for his national team. It’s stuck in your head from an early age. I have to continue to play as I do now and hope that the call will come. Everything else depends on the manager,” Bruno Petkovic said for Croatian media a year ago, a few months after he completed his move from Bologna to Dinamo. 

Today, he has earned six caps for the national team and scored four goals. Last Thursday, Bruno was the hero of the game against Hungary after scoring a brace. He debuted for Croatia in March of this year against Azerbaijan and is already one of the key members of the team, while on the club level, he also continues to impress for Dinamo Zagreb. His popularity is also growing worldwide as, in the last few days, his profile on Transfermarkt had the most views, even more than Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi! But the path to success wasn’t easy.

Bruno Petkovic was born in 1994, in Metkovic, a town located in the southeast of the country where he also began his football career following in the footsteps of his father Jakov, who played professionally. When he was 13, Bruno left for Zagreb, where he first joined Dinamo then played for a few different clubs in the capital of Croatia before leaving for Italy in 2013. Bruno signed for Catania, but was loaned out on four occasions before he joined Serie B outfit Trapani in 2016.

There, he started to shine after scoring ten goals in 38 appearances for the club, so much so that he caught the eye of a Serie A team, Bologna. With not much playing time and providing only three assists while playing for the team and out on loan for Hellas Verona, it was time to come back home. Petkovic joined Dinamo once again in August of 2018. 

“My wish was to come back as I made my first serious football steps at Dinamo 10 years ago. After so many years abroad, where it was hard, I decided to come back. I think this is a step in the right direction to show why everyone thinks highly of me. Everybody talks about that talent of mine, which I haven’t fully justified if you look at the statistics. It’s up to me to prove my worth and I believe that I will get the chance,” Petkovic said when he came back to Croatia's capital.  

Pretty much immediately, Bruno became a crucial part of the team and so far, he scored 20 times in 57 appearances while providing 14 assists at the same time. His impressive performances on the pitch earned him a new contract with Dinamo a month ago, where he reportedly doubled his salary, while the manager of the Croatia national football team, Zlatko Dalic, made him number one striker. Today, many feel that Bruno filled the void that was made when Mario Mandžukić retired last summer and that he is ready to become a new number one striker for the national team and follow in the footsteps of Davor Šuker, Eduardo da Silva and already mentioned Mandžukić. 

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

October 13, 2019 - After winning 3:0 against Hungary in Split on Thursday, Croatia met Wales at Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday for the 8th round of the Group E Euro 2020 qualifiers. 

The Croatia national team and Wales met in front of 31,000 fans in Cardiff for the 8th Euro qualifying round in Group E. After topping Hungary 3:0 at Poljud stadium in Split on Thursday, Croatia was hungry to win in Wales - and ultimately secure enough points to lock in their spot at the Euros next year. 

Dalic came out with a slightly different lineup than what we saw in Split. As Croatian media reported, Dalic called up Hajduk midfielder Filip Bradaric in place of Marcelo Brozovic, who was ruled out of Sunday’s game because of cards. Dalic also opted to start Croatia’s young forces Nikola Vlasic and Josip Brekalo and give Ante Rebic and Ivan Rakitic rest. Thus, Croatia’s starting 11 included Livaković, Barisic, Vida, Lovren, Jedvaj, Modric, Kovacic, Perisic, Vlasic, Brekalo, and Petkovic.

Not unlike the game against Hungary, Croatia got their first goal early. A stellar run by Brekalo from the midfield line carried the ball into the box and to the boot of Petkovic. A quick lay off to Nikola Vlasic found the corner of the net for 1:0 in the 9th minute.

In the 13th minute, Vida was given a yellow card, which forces him to miss Croatia’s next Euro 2020 qualifier against Slovakia. Lovren received a yellow not long after, meaning he'll miss the next game, too.

By the 20th minute, Croatia held over 80% of the ball possession and continued to dominate on the pitch. A free-kick for Wales taken by Gareth Bale shortly after was unsuccessful. 

As the first half progressed, neither team was performing to their potential. Plays were sloppy, there were unnecessary fouls, and few attacks came to fruition. However, Wales picked up the pace and was far more aggressive than Croatia in the end. A sloppy defensive play (and questionable missed foul by the ref) failed to stop Bale in the third minute of injury time, who equalized for 1:1 at the half.

Kovacic was unable to continue the game after an injury in the first half, and Ivan Rakitic took his place. 

Wales almost scored their second goal in the 55th minute, though Livakovic defended with difficulty. Perisic crossed into the box to Jedvaj moments later, but a handball was called on Croatia. 

Bale nutmegged Rakitic in the 60th minute and was almost dangerous in the penalty area, though his trip denied him from getting off a shot - or the penalty he was looking for. 

Two minutes later, Dalic subbed in Ante Rebic for Petkovic. Croatia's next dangerous play came in the 70th minute. Brekalo's cross found the head of Perisic, who connected with Vlasic at the top of the box. Vlasic laid the ball off to Jedvaj, who shot with the outside of his foot and just missed the far corner of the goal. 

Unfortunately,  a collision in the 88th minute saw Modric off the pitch (and almost with the help of a stretcher). Badelj came in the take his place. The referee added 8 minutes of injury time. 

In the final minutes of the match, Croatia pressed but was unable to capitalize on their chances. The game ended 1:1. 

Croatia's next Euro 2020 qualifier is against Slovakia on November 16 at Rujevica stadium in Rijeka. 

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