Teams

Croatia are always considered dark horses in major tournaments, and just when everyone writes them off as being too old or too inexperienced to mount a challenge, they defy the odds to progress further and further. Croatia reached the final of the World Cup in 2018 and finished third in Qatar 2024, and though they stumbled across the line in qualifying in second place behind Turkey but ahead of Wales, they’ll be another side to look out for in the EUROs this year. They are a side that have qualified for seven of the last eight EUROs as well as six of the seven World Cups, but their record in this year’s competition is not great. They’ve been knocked out at the Round of 16 stage in back to back tournaments now, first by eventual champions Portugal in 2016, and then by Spain three years ago in an enthralling 3-5 match where they came back from 1-3 down with ten minutes to go to force extra time. Croatia reached the final of the UEFA Nations League last year but were thwarted once again by Spain in Rotterdam. They face each other in the Group Stages this time around.