The Croatian Under-17 football team has announced its final roster of 20 players for the upcoming European Championships in Estonia. Among the players selected is Filip Pavić, a talented defender from Bayern Munich who recently opted to represent Croatia. The team will face its first match on May 25 against Belgium in Rakvere.

The list of players includes:

  • Goalkeepers: Lovro Lojen (Gorica), Josip Pandurić (Hajduk)
  • Defenders: Lovro Trupčević (Dinamo), Luka Posavec (Osijek), Filip Tolić (Karlsruhe), Filip Pavić (Bayern), Vito Sablić (Lokomotiva), Karlo Zirdum (Dinamo), Ivan Paunović (Dinamo)
  • Midfielders: Marin Modrić (Hajduk), Matej Miličić (Dinamo), Juraj Frigan (Gorica), Dino Beader Trajanovski (Lokomotiva), Jona Benkotić (Dinamo), Rio Joka (Istra 1961)
  • Forwards: Luka Bartolović (Cibalia), Luka Radić (Dinamo), Nik Žužić Škafar (Istra 1961), Jakov Dedić (Osijek), Toni Ruso (Hajduk)

The biggest story from the roster is undoubtedly Filip Pavić, a 16-year-old born in German Freising. Thanks to his Croatian parents, Pavić holds both Croatian and German citizenships and has represented German youth teams. He made 11 appearances for the U-16 team and was captain four times.

Pavić, who plays as a center back, right back, and defensive midfielder, has already experienced senior football at the highest level, making his debut for the Bayern Munich youth squad in the UEFA Youth League on March 18, becoming the youngest player to ever play for the club in that competition.

The team is set to assemble on May 18 in Zagreb before traveling to Osijek for short training sessions. The team will then head to Tallinn on May 21. After the match against Belgium, they will face Estonia in Tallinn on May 28 and Spain in Rakvere on May 31. The top two teams from Group A will advance to the semi-finals.

"I believe we have the best players available right now. Bartolović is returning from suspension, Paunović has resolved his status at the club, Pandurić is back after an injury, and it's a big deal that Filip Pavić chose Croatia. We won't have much time for preparation, but I hope all players will be healthy, ready, and eager to prove themselves on a big stage," said head coach Marijan Budimir.