VIDEO: Croatia win first-ever Futsal medal at a major tournament
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
Croatia have written a new chapter in their sporting history after winning a bronze medal at the UEFA Futsal European Championship, securing third place with a dramatic penalty shootout victory over France following a thrilling 5–5 draw in Ljubljana.
The Slovenian capital will be remembered as the stage of the greatest achievement in Croatian futsal history, as the national team returned home with the country’s first ever European Championship medal in the sport.
Coached by Marinko Mavrović, Croatia showed resilience, composure and character in a match that delivered relentless drama from start to finish.
🇭🇷🥉👏#FutsalEURO pic.twitter.com/waxsOd2r8e
— HNS (@HNS_CFF) February 7, 2026
France struck first through Menendez, but Croatia responded quickly and decisively. An excellent finish from Sekulić brought the match level at 1–1, before Jurlina completed the turnaround right at the end of the first half to give Croatia a 2–1 lead at the break.
The second half began perfectly for the Croatians, with captain Franco Jelovčić extending the advantage to 3–1 moments after kick-off. France immediately hit back through Guirio, but Croatia once again found an answer when Hrstić made it 4–2 in the 30th minute.
The intensity never dropped. Guirio scored again to reduce the deficit, only for Perić to restore a two-goal cushion at 5–3 with four minutes remaining.
France refused to surrender, with Guirio completing his hat-trick before Mouhoudine equalised just seven seconds from full time to force penalties.
Despite the late setback, Croatia remained ice-cool from the six-metre spot. All six Croatian penalty takers converted with confidence, while France’s Toure missed his attempt, sparking jubilant celebrations among players, staff and supporters.
Broncaaaaaa! 🥉 #Hrvatska je u sjajnom dvoboju u Ljubljani pobijedila Francusku nakon neriješenih 5:5 i boljeg izvođenja šesteraca te osvojila treće mjesto na #FutsalEURO, što je najbolji rezultat hrvatskog futsala u povijesti – najveće čestitke svima u reprezentaciji! 🇭🇷🎇🥳🙌… pic.twitter.com/n1LxnlXMs2
— HNS (@HNS_CFF) February 7, 2026
Croatian Football Federation (HNS) president Marijan Kustić praised the team’s achievement and mental strength.
“I congratulate our national team, the players, the coaching staff led by Marinko Mavrović and the entire HNS delegation on this fantastic achievement for Croatian futsal,” Kustić said. “The heart, character, calmness and winning mentality shown in the penalty shootout, especially after conceding an equaliser seven seconds from the end, were truly impressive.”
Kustić also highlighted the importance of fan support, thanking the large number of Croatian supporters in Ljubljana for providing a crucial boost during the decisive stages of the tournament.
He further emphasised the broader significance of the result for the future of the sport in Croatia.
#Hrvatska slavi broncu, pridružite se! 🥉🙌🎉#FutsalEURO #Obitelj pic.twitter.com/DQLVyEVpii
— HNS (@HNS_CFF) February 7, 2026
“This is the greatest success in our futsal history and a clear confirmation of the upward trend in Croatian futsal. We are investing heavily as a federation, clubs are doing excellent work, and this bronze medal should serve as motivation for further development and inspiration for future generations.”
Special mention was made of captain Franco Jelovčić, one of Croatia’s futsal greats, who marked his farewell to the national team by lifting a historic medal.
