National Teams

Not easy to score

Croatia reaches
quarterfinals, Bašić:
"A major victory"

09.05.2015.
Croatia reaches quarterfinals, Bašić: "A major victory"
photo by: UEFA / Sportsfile
  • Match report
  • Match Centre
  • Preview

A lone Lovren's goal was enough to put Croatia in the second round of the European Championships, with head coach Dario Bašić giving his opinion.

U-17: CROATIA - AUSTRIA 1:0 (0:0)
EURO 2015, Group A.
Sozopol, Bulgaria.

Referee: D. Muntean (Moldova)

Goalscorers: 1:0 - Lovren (52')

Yellow cards: Filip (49'), Lovrić (55'), Hautzinger (79')

Croatia: Šemper, Hudećek, Sosa, Erlić (34' Gjira), Kalaica, Soldo, Brekalo, Đurasek, Moro, Lovren (66' Babić), Majić (80+1' Blečić). Head coach: D. Bašić.

Austria: Ehmann, Sahanek (75' Danso), Heilmann, Prirsch, Ramadani (68' Oppong), Omerović, Wöber, Lovrić, Jakupović (63' Hautzinger), Filip, Schmidt. Head coach: M. Zsak.


Croatia U-17 is the first team to reach the EURO 2015 quarterfinals stage, after defeating Austria 1:0 in Sozopol.

The only goal of the game was scored by Croatia striker Lovren in 52nd minute, who found the net on the rebound, following Brekalo and Đurasek efforts.

Dario Bašić's men will therefore have a chance to reach the World Cup as well, and in their third match in Group Croatia U-17 will play Spain, on Tuesday.

"This is a major, very important victory. Both teams were under pressure, with Austria playing well in defence, and having a couple of players to threaten us in attack. However, I still think that we could have won the game in the first half, since we had better chances. When two very organized teams meet, like they did today, it is not easy to score", said Croatia head coach Bašić.

"This result really gives us a lot of joy, especially due to the fact that we have not conceded a single goal in the Elite Round or the first two games at the European championship. Kalaica is back after injury, we need the rest of the team in good health as well. Erlić injured his shoulder, we'll see how quickly he can recover", he added.

Croatia now awaits its quarterfinal opponent and prepares for the match against Spain.

"There are no easy options in the second round. All the teams are close in terms of quality, but I am pleased that we have a good squad. We'll see who is tired, who is injured, and I believe we have solutions for Spain too", concluded Bašić.

Group A:
1. Croatia 6 (2)
2. Spain 1 (1)
3. Austria 1 (2)
4. Bulgaria 0 (1)

09.05.2015., ,
Referees: Muntean Dumitru (MDA), Platonovs Romans (LVA), Jones Gareth Wyn (WAL)
Fourth referee: Grujic Danilo (SRB)
Croatia
1
Austria
0
1Adrian Šemper1Fabian Ehmann
2Matej Hudećek7Albin Ramadani
68'
3Borna Sosa9Arnel Jakupovic
63'
4Martin Erlić
34'		12Oliver Filip
49'
5Branimir Kalaica13Anes Omerovic
6Vinko Soldo14Maximilian Wöber
7Josip Brekalo15Paul Sahanek
75'
8Neven Đurasek16Jan Heilmann
9Karlo Igor Majić
81'		18Florian Prirsch
10Nikola Moro19Patrick Schmidt
11Davor Lovren
52'
66'		20Sandi Lovric
55'
Bench
12Ivan Nevistić21Dominik Krischke
13Mihael Briški4Boris Basara
14Dino Halilović6Aleksandar Skrbic
15Saša Urošević8Kevin Danso
75'
16Marko Đira
34'		10Samuel Oppong
68'
17Matko Babić
66'		11Daniel Hautzinger
79'
63'
18Adrian Blečić
81'		17Niklas Kölbl
Coaches
Dario BašićManfred Zsak ((AUT))

After opening the tournament with a win over Bulgaria, Croatia U-17 will play its second Group A match on Saturday against Austria.

Taking the lead in the EURO 2015 Group A, Croatia U-17 awaits the Sozopol encounter with Austria. With a win over host Bulgaria 2:0 on Wednesday, Dario Bašić's men can reach the quarterfinal stage after only 180 minutes of football.

"We had a small problem in the closing stages of Bulgaria match, since it is difficult to play at such a high level for the entire 80 minutes. Bulgaria also had something to say, but if we had managed to score the second goal earlier, our victory would be even more convincing. We could have saved ourselves some trouble and avoid a couple of yellow cards", says head coach Bašić.

"Still, these 60 minutes were the best my players have played, including the qualifying performances. They have coped with pressure very well and I congratulate them", he added.

Croatia managed to beat this Austrian generation last in at the UEFA Development Tournament in Switzerland, while Austria managed a draw against Spain in the first match of the EURO 2015.

"Against favourites Spain, they have played well, although I have a feeling they were not at their best. Once they scored, they have shown good defence, as well as the good attacking organization. They have skills with the ball, and they are tough. Spain could have won the match in the first 20 minutes, but in the end Austria were somewhat a better team", analyzed Bašić.

"Considering our rather easy victory over Austria last year, we are aware that everything can change quickly. This will be a completely different match, in different circumstances. More is at stake, and I have warned the players. They will show maximum focus", emphasized Croatia head coach.

Coach Bašić will have Matej Hudećek available after suspension, and all of his players are ready to play. Compared with the Bulgaria encounter, the starting lineup could be a little different.

"After analysis, and considering the tiredness of certain players - not everyone has the same rhythm - we will start with a couple of fresh faces, to cover the necessary running and to carry out our tactical ideas", announced Bašić.

Croatia will face Austria at 12:00 CET, with Spain playing Bulgaria.

Group A:
1. Croatia 3
2. Austria 1
3. Spain 1
4. Bulgaria 0