Croatia's U-17 football team is set to participate in the European Championship in Estonia. The team will face Belgium first in their opening match on May 25th at 2:30 PM in Rakvere. On May 28th, they will play against Estonia in Tallinn, followed by a match against Spain on May 31st, also at 2:30 PM in Rakvere.
The team, which is currently gathering in Zagreb, will then move to Osijek for preparation until Thursday before traveling to Tallinn. Coach Marijan Budimir expressed confidence in his team, stating that they are among the best and will analyze their opponents carefully.
"We are heading into the tournament match by match, but we do not believe any team is better than us," Budimir said. He emphasized that the team's success in reaching the Euros is already a significant achievement and that the main goal is to see some players reach the senior national team.
The roster includes goalkeepers Lovro Lojen and Josip Pandurić, defenders Lovro Trupčević, Luka Posavec, Filip Tolić, Filip Pavić, Vito Sablić, Karlo Zirdum, and Ivan Paunović, midfielders Marin Modrić, Matej Miličić, Juraj Frigan, Dino Beader Trajanovski, Jona Benkotić, and Rio Joka, and forwards Luka Bartolović, Luka Radić, Nik Žužić Škafar, Jakov Dedić, and Toni Ruso.
Budimir also noted that there is no pressure to win, as the team's participation is already a success.
This is a huge moment for Croatian youth football! Seeing these young talents on the big stage is so exciting. Who do you think has the best chance of making it to the senior team? #CroatiaU17