Football in Croatia
Encyclopedia
Football in Croatia, called nogomet, is the most popular team sport
in the country and is led by the Croatian Football Federation
. It is played in four official components; the domestic league consists of three hierarchical echelons, and a single national team represents the entire state. The first Croat clubs were founded prior to the First World War and participated in the Yugoslavian league structure after Croatia
became a part of Yugoslavia
following the war. From 1940 to 1944, nineteen friendly matches were played by a Croatia national side representing the Second World War-era puppet states of the Banovina of Croatia
and Independent State of Croatia
. After the war, most of the prominent Yugoslavian clubs, including clubs in Croatia, were dissolved and replaced with new sides by Marshall Tito's Communist regime. Today, club football in Croatia is dominated by Hajduk Split and Dinamo Zagreb
. Since independence, the country has produced a string of players who have performed well in many of Europe's most highly-regarded leagues and who took the national team to third place at the 1998 World Cup
.
. It oversees the organization of:
Note: the aforementioned competitions are for men if not stated differently. Women's football exists but is much less developed or popular.
from Split
and Dinamo from Zagreb
.
results and a summary of any other important events during the season.
in the late 19th century. During this period, its Croatian
name, nogomet, was coined by the linguist Slavko Rutzner Radmilović. The name was accepted into Slovenian
as well.
The earliest clubs were founded before World War I
- HAŠK
and PNIŠK
in 1903, Hajduk
and Građanski in 1911, etc. However, first Croatian football club Bačka from Subotica
was founded in 1901 in the Kingdom of Hungary
. In Bosnia and Herzegovina
Croatian club Zrinjski Mostar
is the oldest in the country and it was founded in 1905. The Croatian Football Federation
was founded in 1912.
After World War I
, the Croatians played a major part in the founding of the first football federation of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, later named the Football Association of Yugoslavia
, and its headquarters were initially in Zagreb before they were moved to Belgrade in 1929. During this time, the talented Ico Hitrec
played football. In 1927, Hajduk Split took part in the inaugural Mitropa Cup for Central European clubs.
Croatia had its first international football match on April 2, 1940 against Switzerland
. During World War II
, the Croatian Football Federation joined FIFA
as a representative of the Independent State of Croatia
, but this was contentious and short-lived as was the fascist puppet-state.
After the war, football was resumed in the second Yugoslavia. The communist regime in the new state quickly moved to ban all clubs who had either participated in the Croatian championship or bore Croatian national names. Many clubs also had their records destroyed. Victims of this disbanding included top-sides Concordia, HAŠK and Građanski, as well as the major Croatian clubs in today's Bosnia and Herzegovina
SAŠK and HŠK Zrinjski Mostar
. The largest club to avoid disbanding was Hajduk Split
who had refused to participate in the Croatian competition.
At this point several other major clubs were founded - today's GNK Dinamo Zagreb, HNK Rijeka and NK Osijek
, to name a few. Most clubs had to maintain loyalty to the regime, and it was common for clubs to have a communist red star as part of their emblem.
Over the following decades, the Croatian clubs performed well in the Yugoslav First League
and the Yugoslav Cup
. Hajduk and Dinamo formed one half of the Big Four of Yugoslav football (the other two being FK Partizan
and Red Star Belgrade
). In 1967, Zlatko Čajkovski of German club Bayern Munich became the only Croatian manager to win the European Cup Winners' Cup
.
After Croatia gained independence in the 1990s, the football federation was reconstituted and joined the international associations. The Croatian internationals from the 1987 FIFA World Youth Championship
-winning team went on to achieve more success, spawning the Golden Generation
who won third place
at the 1998 FIFA World Cup
. Since then, Croatia has continued to produce top players. At the more recent Euro 2008, they famously beat 2006 FIFA World Cup
bronze medalists Germany 2-1 in a shock win but exited the tournament courtesy of a penalty shoot-out against Turkey
in the quarterfinals.
, having reached the quarterfinals on three occasions (1975–76, 1979–80 and 1994–95). Dinamo Zagreb has qualified to the group round on three occasions (1998–99, 1999–2000 and 2010–11) but has yet to advance to the elimination rounds. Hajduk are also the only Croatian club to have advanced past the round of sixteen of the UEFA Cup
/Europa League, reaching the semi-finals in 1983–84 and the quarterfinals in 1985–86. They reached the UEFA Cup's last sixteen in 1981–82 and 1986–87, while Dinamo Zagreb were eliminated in the same round in 1997–98.
Croatian clubs had their most consistent success in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
. Both Dinamo Zagreb (1960–61) and Hajduk Split (1972–73) reached the semi-finals. Dinamo also reached the quarterfinals in 1964–65 and 1969–70, and Hajduk were eliminated at that stage in 1977–78. The Cup Winners' Cup is also the only European competition to have seen a Croatian club other than one of the big two reach the last sixteen, when Varteks advanced to the quarterfinals in 1998–99, the cup's final edition.
As of 2010 a total of five Croatian players are credited as winning the Champions League: Alen Bokšić
, Zvonimir Boban
, Davor Šuker
, Dario Šimić
and Igor Bišćan
, although Šimić and Bišćan did not appear in the finals.
In terms of appearances, seven players have played in the final (Bokšić, Boban, Šuker, Živković, Tudor, Pršo and Olić), but only two players appeared more than once - Bokšić (1993, 1997) and Boban (1994, 1995). In addition, no Croatian player has ever scored a goal in the final match.
Players indicated in bold appeared in the final and players marked with † won the competition.
or its successor UEFA Europa League. It does not include Croatians who were considered Yugoslav players prior to Croatia's independence in 1991.
As of 2010 a total of four Croatian players are credited as winning the competition: Mario Stanić
, Ivica Olić
, Ivica Križanac
and Darijo Srna
- although Stanić did not appear for his club in the final. In addition, no Croatian player has either appeared in the final more than once or scored a goal in the final match.
Players indicated in bold appeared in the final and players marked with † won the competition.
, called mali nogomet (lit. "small football") in Croatia, is also widely played and is sometimes considered as a mini football league. It is often taught in schools and also played by football professionals as a pastime.
The Croatian First League of Futsal
is the top-tier futsal competition.
(Hajduk), Bad Blue Boys
(Dinamo), Armada
(Rijeka), Kohorta (Osijek), etc.
On the international games, the Croatian fans usually wear the checkerboard colors red and white, as they are on the Croatian coat of arms.
Team sport
A team sport includes any sport which involves players working together towards a shared objective. A team sport is an activity in which a group of individuals, on the same team, work together to accomplish an ultimate goal which is usually to win. This can be done in a number of ways such as...
in the country and is led by the Croatian Football Federation
Croatian Football Federation
The Croatian Football Federation is the governing body of association football in Croatia. It was originally formed in 1912 and is based in the capital city of Zagreb. The organisation is a member of both FIFA and UEFA, and is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the game of football in Croatia...
. It is played in four official components; the domestic league consists of three hierarchical echelons, and a single national team represents the entire state. The first Croat clubs were founded prior to the First World War and participated in the Yugoslavian league structure after Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
became a part of Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia refers to three political entities that existed successively on the western part of the Balkans during most of the 20th century....
following the war. From 1940 to 1944, nineteen friendly matches were played by a Croatia national side representing the Second World War-era puppet states of the Banovina of Croatia
Banovina of Croatia
The Banovina of Croatia or Banate of Croatia was a province of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia between 1939 and 1943 . Its capital was at Zagreb and it included most of present-day Croatia along with portions of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia...
and Independent State of Croatia
Independent State of Croatia
The Independent State of Croatia was a World War II puppet state of Nazi Germany, established on a part of Axis-occupied Yugoslavia. The NDH was founded on 10 April 1941, after the invasion of Yugoslavia by the Axis powers. All of Bosnia and Herzegovina was annexed to NDH, together with some parts...
. After the war, most of the prominent Yugoslavian clubs, including clubs in Croatia, were dissolved and replaced with new sides by Marshall Tito's Communist regime. Today, club football in Croatia is dominated by Hajduk Split and Dinamo Zagreb
Dinamo Zagreb
GNK Dinamo Zagreb, commonly referred to as Dinamo Zagreb , or by their nickname Modri are a Croatian football club based in Zagreb. They play their home matches at Stadion Maksimir. They are the most successful club in Croatian football, having won thirteen Croatian championship titles, ten...
. Since independence, the country has produced a string of players who have performed well in many of Europe's most highly-regarded leagues and who took the national team to third place at the 1998 World Cup
1998 World Cup
1998 World Cup may refer to:*1998 IAAF World Cup*1998 Men's Hockey World Cup*1998 Women's Hockey World Cup*1998 FIFA World Cup*1998 Alpine Skiing World Cup...
.
Format
The governing body of football in Croatia is the Croatian Football FederationCroatian Football Federation
The Croatian Football Federation is the governing body of association football in Croatia. It was originally formed in 1912 and is based in the capital city of Zagreb. The organisation is a member of both FIFA and UEFA, and is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the game of football in Croatia...
. It oversees the organization of:
- Leagues:
- Prva HNL
- Druga HNL
- Treća HNLTreća HNLThe Croatian Third Football League is the third tier of the football league system in Croatia. The league was established in 1991 following the dissolution of the Yugoslav League. It is operated by the Croatian Football Federation.-Subdivisions:...
- Četvrta HNLČetvrta HNLThe Croatian Fourth Football League is the fourth tier of the football league system in Croatia. The league was established in 1991 following the dissolution of the Yugoslav League...
- Cup tournaments:
- Croatian CupCroatian CupThe Croatian Cup is an annually held football tournament for Croatian football clubs and is the second most important competition in Croatian football after the Prva HNL league championship. It is governed by the Croatian Football Federation and usually runs from late August to May...
- Croatian SupercupCroatian SupercupThe Croatian Supercup is a football match between the winners of the Prva HNL and the Croatian Cup. The Supercup serves as a curtain raiser of the new football season and is only held when different clubs happen to win the two most important competitions during the previous season The Croatian...
- Croatian Cup
- National teams:
- Croatia national football teamCroatia national football teamThe Croatia national football team represents Croatia in international football. The team is controlled by the Croatian Football Federation, the governing body for football in the country, and has been managed since 2006 by former player Slaven Bilić...
- Croatia national under-21 football teamCroatia national under-21 football teamThe Croatia national under-21 football team, also known as Croatia under-21 or Croatia U21 is a youth association football national team which represents Croatia at this age level and is a feeder team for the Croatia national football team....
- Croatia national under-19 football teamCroatia national under-19 football team-2012 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship :-2012 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship :-Latest squad:...
- Croatia national under-17 football teamCroatia national under-17 football teamThe Croatia national under-17 football team represents Croatia in international football at this age level and is controlled by the Croatian Football Federation, the governing body for football in Croatia.The Head Coach is Ivan Gudelj...
- Croatia women's national football teamCroatia women's national football teamThe Croatia women's national football team represents the Republic of Croatia in international football. The team is controlled by the Croatian Football Federation, the governing body for football in the country.-World Cup record:...
- Croatia national football team
Note: the aforementioned competitions are for men if not stated differently. Women's football exists but is much less developed or popular.
Teams
By far the two most popular clubs in the country are rival clubs HajdukHNK Hajduk Split
HNK Hajduk Split, commonly referred to as Hajduk Split or simply Hajduk, is a Croatian football club founded in 1911 and based in the city of Split. The club's home ground since 1979 is the 35,000-seater Poljud Stadium and the team's traditional home colours are white shirts with blue shorts and...
from Split
Split (city)
Split is a Mediterranean city on the eastern shores of the Adriatic Sea, centered around the ancient Roman Palace of the Emperor Diocletian and its wide port bay. With a population of 178,192 citizens, and a metropolitan area numbering up to 467,899, Split is by far the largest Dalmatian city and...
and Dinamo from Zagreb
Zagreb
Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Croatia. It is in the northwest of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the Medvednica mountain. Zagreb lies at an elevation of approximately above sea level. According to the last official census, Zagreb's city...
.
Seasons
The following articles detail the major results and events in each season since the early 1990s, when the Prva HNL was formed. Each article provides the final league tables for that season, with the exception of the current one, as well as details on cup results, Croatia national football teamCroatia national football team
The Croatia national football team represents Croatia in international football. The team is controlled by the Croatian Football Federation, the governing body for football in the country, and has been managed since 2006 by former player Slaven Bilić...
results and a summary of any other important events during the season.
| 1990s | 1990–91 | 1991–92 | 1992–93 | 1993–94 | 1994–95 | 1995–96 | 1996–97 | 1997–98 | 1998–99 | 1999–2000 |
| 2000s | 2000–01 | 2001–02 | 2002–03 | 2003–04 | 2004–05 | 2005–06 | 2006–07 | 2007–08 | 2008–09 | 2009–10 |
| 2010s | 2010–11 | 2011–12 | 2012–13 | 2013–14 | 2014–15 | 2015–16 | 2016–17 | 2017–18 | 2018–19 | 2019–20 |
History
Football was popularized in Croatia by Franjo BučarFranjo Bucar
Franjo Bučar was a Croatian writer and sports popularizer of Slovenian origin. He is considered to be the father of Croatian sport and olympism....
in the late 19th century. During this period, its Croatian
Croatian language
Croatian is the collective name for the standard language and dialects spoken by Croats, principally in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Serbian province of Vojvodina and other neighbouring countries...
name, nogomet, was coined by the linguist Slavko Rutzner Radmilović. The name was accepted into Slovenian
Slovenian language
Slovene or Slovenian is a South Slavic language spoken by approximately 2.5 million speakers worldwide, the majority of whom live in Slovenia. It is the first language of about 1.85 million people and is one of the 23 official and working languages of the European Union...
as well.
The earliest clubs were founded before World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
- HAŠK
HAŠK
HAŠK was a Croatian football club established in Zagreb in 1903 which ceased operating in 1945. The club was one of the most successful sides in Zagreb and the Kingdom of Yugoslavia in the period between the two World Wars...
and PNIŠK
NK Zagreb
NK Zagreb is a Croatian football club, from the Croatian capital of Zagreb.NK Zagreb's home is the Stadion Kranjčevićeva with capacity of 8,850. The club's fans are known as the White Angels...
in 1903, Hajduk
HNK Hajduk Split
HNK Hajduk Split, commonly referred to as Hajduk Split or simply Hajduk, is a Croatian football club founded in 1911 and based in the city of Split. The club's home ground since 1979 is the 35,000-seater Poljud Stadium and the team's traditional home colours are white shirts with blue shorts and...
and Građanski in 1911, etc. However, first Croatian football club Bačka from Subotica
Subotica
Subotica is a city and municipality in northern Serbia, in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina...
was founded in 1901 in the Kingdom of Hungary
Kingdom of Hungary
The Kingdom of Hungary comprised present-day Hungary, Slovakia and Croatia , Transylvania , Carpatho Ruthenia , Vojvodina , Burgenland , and other smaller territories surrounding present-day Hungary's borders...
. In Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
Croatian club Zrinjski Mostar
HŠK Zrinjski Mostar
HŠK Zrinjski Mostar is a football team from the city of Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The club plays in the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and has been one of the top teams in the country over the years....
is the oldest in the country and it was founded in 1905. The Croatian Football Federation
Croatian Football Federation
The Croatian Football Federation is the governing body of association football in Croatia. It was originally formed in 1912 and is based in the capital city of Zagreb. The organisation is a member of both FIFA and UEFA, and is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the game of football in Croatia...
was founded in 1912.
After World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, the Croatians played a major part in the founding of the first football federation of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, later named the Football Association of Yugoslavia
Football Association of Yugoslavia
The Football Association of Yugoslavia was the governing body of football in Yugoslavia, based in Belgrade, with a major administrative branch in Zagreb....
, and its headquarters were initially in Zagreb before they were moved to Belgrade in 1929. During this time, the talented Ico Hitrec
Ico Hitrec
Ivan 'Ico' Hitrec is widely considered as the greatest Croatian football player before World War II.The centre-forward became a legend after scoring twice against then famous Spanish keeper Ricardo Zamora during the first night game in Zagreb between Zagreb and Madrid in 1933...
played football. In 1927, Hajduk Split took part in the inaugural Mitropa Cup for Central European clubs.
Croatia had its first international football match on April 2, 1940 against Switzerland
Switzerland national football team
The Swiss national football team is the national football team of Switzerland...
. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the Croatian Football Federation joined FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
as a representative of the Independent State of Croatia
Independent State of Croatia
The Independent State of Croatia was a World War II puppet state of Nazi Germany, established on a part of Axis-occupied Yugoslavia. The NDH was founded on 10 April 1941, after the invasion of Yugoslavia by the Axis powers. All of Bosnia and Herzegovina was annexed to NDH, together with some parts...
, but this was contentious and short-lived as was the fascist puppet-state.
After the war, football was resumed in the second Yugoslavia. The communist regime in the new state quickly moved to ban all clubs who had either participated in the Croatian championship or bore Croatian national names. Many clubs also had their records destroyed. Victims of this disbanding included top-sides Concordia, HAŠK and Građanski, as well as the major Croatian clubs in today's Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
SAŠK and HŠK Zrinjski Mostar
HŠK Zrinjski Mostar
HŠK Zrinjski Mostar is a football team from the city of Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The club plays in the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and has been one of the top teams in the country over the years....
. The largest club to avoid disbanding was Hajduk Split
HNK Hajduk Split
HNK Hajduk Split, commonly referred to as Hajduk Split or simply Hajduk, is a Croatian football club founded in 1911 and based in the city of Split. The club's home ground since 1979 is the 35,000-seater Poljud Stadium and the team's traditional home colours are white shirts with blue shorts and...
who had refused to participate in the Croatian competition.
At this point several other major clubs were founded - today's GNK Dinamo Zagreb, HNK Rijeka and NK Osijek
NK Osijek
NK Osijek is a Croatian football club, from Osijek in eastern Croatia.- History :NK Osijek's early roots are found in club called NK Udarnik that was formed in 1945 under FPR Yugoslavia's new communist authorities on the ashes of dissolved HŠK Slavija...
, to name a few. Most clubs had to maintain loyalty to the regime, and it was common for clubs to have a communist red star as part of their emblem.
Over the following decades, the Croatian clubs performed well in the Yugoslav First League
Yugoslav First League
The Yugoslav First League was the premier football league in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and socialist Yugoslavia...
and the Yugoslav Cup
Yugoslav Cup
The Yugoslav Cup, officially the Marshal Tito Cup, was one of two major football competitions in the former Yugoslavia, the other one being the Yugoslav League Championship. The Yugoslav Cup took place after the league championships when every competitive league in Yugoslavia had finished, in order...
. Hajduk and Dinamo formed one half of the Big Four of Yugoslav football (the other two being FK Partizan
FK Partizan
Fudbalski klub Partizan is a professional football club based in Belgrade, Serbia. In its long history, FK Partizan won as many as 37 trophies. The club is the holder of 23 national championships, 12 national cups and 1 national supercup, and has also won the Mitropa Cup in 1978...
and Red Star Belgrade
Red Star Belgrade
Red Star Belgrade is a football club from Belgrade, Serbia. The club is a part of the Red Star Sports Society.Red Star Belgrade is the most successful Serbian club, with a record of 25 national championships and 23 national cups in both Serbian and ex-Yugoslav competitions...
). In 1967, Zlatko Čajkovski of German club Bayern Munich became the only Croatian manager to win the European Cup Winners' Cup
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
The UEFA Cup Winners' Cup was a football club competition contested annually by the most recent winners of all European domestic cup competitions. The cup is one of the many inter-European club competitions that have been organised by UEFA. The first competition was held in the 1960–61 season—but...
.
After Croatia gained independence in the 1990s, the football federation was reconstituted and joined the international associations. The Croatian internationals from the 1987 FIFA World Youth Championship
1987 FIFA World Youth Championship
The 1987 FIFA World Youth Championship took place in Chile from October 10 to October 25, 1987. The 1987 championship was the 6th contested and won for the first time by Yugoslavia. Remarkably, in the course of the tournament the Yugoslavs defeated each of the three other semi-finalists, and...
-winning team went on to achieve more success, spawning the Golden Generation
Golden Generation
In sport, a golden generation is an exceptionally gifted group of players of similar age, whose achievements reach or are expected to reach a level of success beyond that which their team had previously achieved...
who won third place
Croatia at the 1998 FIFA World Cup
At the 1998 FIFA World Cup Croatia participated for in the event for the first time. The country went on to finish third place in the tournament.-Qualifications:...
at the 1998 FIFA World Cup
1998 FIFA World Cup
The 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 2 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...
. Since then, Croatia has continued to produce top players. At the more recent Euro 2008, they famously beat 2006 FIFA World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
bronze medalists Germany 2-1 in a shock win but exited the tournament courtesy of a penalty shoot-out against Turkey
Turkey national football team
The Turkey national football team represents Turkey in association football and is controlled by the Turkish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Turkey. They are affiliated with UEFA...
in the quarterfinals.
European records
Hajduk Split is the only Croatian club—either during the Yugoslavian period or since independence—to have played in the latter stages of the European Cup or UEFA Champions LeagueUEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
, having reached the quarterfinals on three occasions (1975–76, 1979–80 and 1994–95). Dinamo Zagreb has qualified to the group round on three occasions (1998–99, 1999–2000 and 2010–11) but has yet to advance to the elimination rounds. Hajduk are also the only Croatian club to have advanced past the round of sixteen of the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
/Europa League, reaching the semi-finals in 1983–84 and the quarterfinals in 1985–86. They reached the UEFA Cup's last sixteen in 1981–82 and 1986–87, while Dinamo Zagreb were eliminated in the same round in 1997–98.
Croatian clubs had their most consistent success in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
The UEFA Cup Winners' Cup was a football club competition contested annually by the most recent winners of all European domestic cup competitions. The cup is one of the many inter-European club competitions that have been organised by UEFA. The first competition was held in the 1960–61 season—but...
. Both Dinamo Zagreb (1960–61) and Hajduk Split (1972–73) reached the semi-finals. Dinamo also reached the quarterfinals in 1964–65 and 1969–70, and Hajduk were eliminated at that stage in 1977–78. The Cup Winners' Cup is also the only European competition to have seen a Croatian club other than one of the big two reach the last sixteen, when Varteks advanced to the quarterfinals in 1998–99, the cup's final edition.
UEFA Champions League
The following table lists all Croatian players who either appeared in a UEFA Champions League Final, or were members of clubs which reached the final. It does not include Croatians who were considered Yugoslav players prior to Croatia's independence in 1991.As of 2010 a total of five Croatian players are credited as winning the Champions League: Alen Bokšić
Alen Bokšic
Alen Bokšić is a former football attacker from Croatia. He was a renowned forward known for his technique.-Career:Bokšić was born in Makarska and started his career in the club Zmaj from Makarska. As a young player he moved to Hajduk Split and was introduced into the first team . With Hajduk, he...
, Zvonimir Boban
Zvonimir Boban
Zvonimir Boban is a Croatian former football midfielder who played most of his professional career for Serie A club Milan, with whom he won four Serie A titles and the Champions League. He was a member of the Croatia national team which attained third place at the 1998 FIFA World Cup, with Boban...
, Davor Šuker
Davor Šuker
Davor Šuker , is a retired Croatian footballer. He played as a striker for a number of European clubs as well as the Croatian national team, where he is the all-time top goal scorer with 45 goals....
, Dario Šimić
Dario Šimic
Dario Šimić is a retired Croatian football player. Šimić was a versatile defender who played as full-back, sweeper or centre back. A product of Dinamo Zagreb Academy, he later played for Serie A sides Inter Milan and AC Milan and Ligue 1 side Monaco, before returning to Dinamo Zagreb in 2010,...
and Igor Bišćan
Igor Bišcan
Igor Bišćan is a Croatian professional footballer, playing for Dinamo Zagreb. He also played for the English team Liverpool and Greek side Panathinaikos, also spending one-year loan at NK Samobor in his early career...
, although Šimić and Bišćan did not appear in the finals.
In terms of appearances, seven players have played in the final (Bokšić, Boban, Šuker, Živković, Tudor, Pršo and Olić), but only two players appeared more than once - Bokšić (1993, 1997) and Boban (1994, 1995). In addition, no Croatian player has ever scored a goal in the final match.
Players indicated in bold appeared in the final and players marked with † won the competition.
| Season | Final | Player | Club | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992–93 | 1993 1993 UEFA Champions League Final The 1993 UEFA Champions League Final was a football match between French club Marseille and Italian club Milan, played on 26 May 1993 at the Olympiastadion in Munich, Germany.... |
Alen Bokšić Alen Bokšic Alen Bokšić is a former football attacker from Croatia. He was a renowned forward known for his technique.-Career:Bokšić was born in Makarska and started his career in the club Zmaj from Makarska. As a young player he moved to Hajduk Split and was introduced into the first team . With Hajduk, he... † |
 MarseilleOlympique de Marseille Olympique de Marseille is a French association football club based in Marseille. Founded in 1899, the club plays in Ligue 1 and have spent most of its history in the top tier of French football. Marseille have been French champions nine times and have won the Coupe de France a record ten times. In... |
Starting eleven. |
| Zvonimir Boban Zvonimir Boban Zvonimir Boban is a Croatian former football midfielder who played most of his professional career for Serie A club Milan, with whom he won four Serie A titles and the Champions League. He was a member of the Croatia national team which attained third place at the 1998 FIFA World Cup, with Boban... |
 MilanA.C. Milan Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to as A.C. Milan or simply Milan , is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Lombardy, that plays in the Serie A. Milan was founded in 1899 by English lace-maker Herbert Kilpin and businessman Alfred Edwards among others... |
Was not named in Milan's 16-man squad. | ||
| 1993–94 | 1994 | Zvonimir Boban Zvonimir Boban Zvonimir Boban is a Croatian former football midfielder who played most of his professional career for Serie A club Milan, with whom he won four Serie A titles and the Champions League. He was a member of the Croatia national team which attained third place at the 1998 FIFA World Cup, with Boban... † |
Milan A.C. Milan Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to as A.C. Milan or simply Milan , is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Lombardy, that plays in the Serie A. Milan was founded in 1899 by English lace-maker Herbert Kilpin and businessman Alfred Edwards among others... |
Starting eleven. |
| 1994–95 | 1995 1995 UEFA Champions League Final The 1995 UEFA Champions League Final was the 40th edition and took place in Vienna between AFC Ajax and A.C. Milan. It was Milan's third European Cup final in three years and they were aiming to tie Real Madrid's record of having won the European Cup six times... |
Zvonimir Boban Zvonimir Boban Zvonimir Boban is a Croatian former football midfielder who played most of his professional career for Serie A club Milan, with whom he won four Serie A titles and the Champions League. He was a member of the Croatia national team which attained third place at the 1998 FIFA World Cup, with Boban... |
Milan A.C. Milan Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to as A.C. Milan or simply Milan , is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Lombardy, that plays in the Serie A. Milan was founded in 1899 by English lace-maker Herbert Kilpin and businessman Alfred Edwards among others... |
Starting eleven. |
| 1996–97 | 1997 1997 UEFA Champions League Final The 1997 UEFA Champions League Final was a football match won 3-1 by Borussia Dortmund of Germany against Juventus from Italy.-Venue, date and colours:The event took place at the Olympiastadion in Munich on 28 May 1997.... |
Alen Bokšić Alen Bokšic Alen Bokšić is a former football attacker from Croatia. He was a renowned forward known for his technique.-Career:Bokšić was born in Makarska and started his career in the club Zmaj from Makarska. As a young player he moved to Hajduk Split and was introduced into the first team . With Hajduk, he... |
Juventus Juventus F.C. Juventus Football Club S.p.A. , commonly referred to as Juventus and colloquially as Juve , are a professional Italian association football club based in Turin, Piedmont... |
Starting eleven. |
| 1997–98 | 1998 1998 UEFA Champions League Final The 1998 UEFA Champions League Final took place at the Amsterdam ArenA in Amsterdam on 20 May 1998. Spanish club Real Madrid defeated Italian side Juventus 1–0 to clinch their seventh European title, the sixth being in 1966.-Match details:... |
Davor Šuker Davor Šuker Davor Šuker , is a retired Croatian footballer. He played as a striker for a number of European clubs as well as the Croatian national team, where he is the all-time top goal scorer with 45 goals.... † |
 Real MadridReal Madrid C.F. Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la... |
Came on as a substitute in the 89th minute. |
| 1999–2000 | 2000 2000 UEFA Champions League Final The 2000 UEFA Champions League Final took place at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, France on 24 May 2000. The match pitted Spanish rivals Real Madrid and Valencia... |
Goran Vlaović Goran Vlaovic Goran Vlaović is a former Croatian football striker.-Club career:Vlaović started his professional career with Osijek in 1989 and moved to Dinamo Zagreb in 1992, before going abroad to play for Calcio Padova in Italy, Valencia in Spain and Panathinaikos in Greece, where he retired in June 2004... |
Valencia Valencia CF Valencia Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, Spain. They play in La Liga and are one of the most successful and biggest clubs in Spanish Football and European Football. Valencia have won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, two Fairs Cups which was the... |
Was not named in Valencia's 18-man squad. |
| 2001–02 | 2002 2002 UEFA Champions League Final The 2002 UEFA Champions League Final was the final match of the 2001–02 UEFA Champions League, Europe's primary club football competition. The show-piece event was contested between Bayer Leverkusen of Germany and Real Madrid of Spain at the Hampden Park in Glasgow, on Wednesday, 15 May 2002, to... |
Boris Živković Boris Živkovic Boris Živković is a former Croatian football player. He played as a defender and through career he played all defending positions. He played as right and left full back and centre back. At one point of his career he even played as defensive midfielder.... |
 Bayer Leverkusen |
Starting eleven. |
| Marko Babić | Bayer Leverkusen |
Came on as a substitute in the 91st minute. | ||
| 2002–03 | 2003 2003 UEFA Champions League Final The 2003 UEFA Champions League Final was a football match that took place at Old Trafford in Manchester, England on 28 May 2003 to decide the winner of the 2002–03 UEFA Champions League. The match was contested by two Italian teams in the shape of Juventus and Milan. The match made history as the... |
Igor Tudor Igor Tudor Igor Tudor is a Croatian former football defender. He was considered one of Croatia's best defenders in the period between the late 1990s and mid-2000s.... |
Juventus Juventus F.C. Juventus Football Club S.p.A. , commonly referred to as Juventus and colloquially as Juve , are a professional Italian association football club based in Turin, Piedmont... |
Starting eleven. |
| Dario Šimić Dario Šimic Dario Šimić is a retired Croatian football player. Šimić was a versatile defender who played as full-back, sweeper or centre back. A product of Dinamo Zagreb Academy, he later played for Serie A sides Inter Milan and AC Milan and Ligue 1 side Monaco, before returning to Dinamo Zagreb in 2010,... † |
Milan A.C. Milan Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to as A.C. Milan or simply Milan , is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Lombardy, that plays in the Serie A. Milan was founded in 1899 by English lace-maker Herbert Kilpin and businessman Alfred Edwards among others... |
Was not named in Milan's 18-man squad. | ||
| 2003–04 | 2004 2004 UEFA Champions League Final The 2004 UEFA Champions League Final was a football match played at the Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, on 26 May 2004, to decide the winner of the 2003–04 UEFA Champions League... |
Dado Pršo Dado Pršo Miladin "Dado" Pršo is a Croatian former professional footballer who played as a striker.Pršo played for seven different teams and made over 300 league appearances as a professional... |
Monaco AS Monaco FC Association Sportive de Monaco Football Club are a French football club based in Fontvieille, Monaco. The club was founded in 1924 and currently play in Ligue 2, the second tier of French football. The team plays its home matches at the Stade Louis II located within Fontvieille... |
Came on as a substitute in the 24th minute. |
| 2004–05 | 2005 2005 UEFA Champions League Final The 2005 UEFA Champions League Final was the final match of the 2004–05 UEFA Champions League, Europe's primary club football competition. The showpiece event was contested between Liverpool of England and Milan of Italy at the Atatürk Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey on 25 May 2005... |
Igor Bišćan Igor Bišcan Igor Bišćan is a Croatian professional footballer, playing for Dinamo Zagreb. He also played for the English team Liverpool and Greek side Panathinaikos, also spending one-year loan at NK Samobor in his early career... † |
 LiverpoolLiverpool F.C. Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups... |
Unused substitute. |
| 2006–07 | 2007 2007 UEFA Champions League Final The 2007 UEFA Champions League Final was an association football match between A.C. Milan of Italy and Liverpool F.C. of England on 23 May 2007 at the Olympic Stadium, Athens, Greece. The showpiece event was the final match of the 2006–07 season of Europe's premier cup competition, the UEFA... |
Dario Šimić Dario Šimic Dario Šimić is a retired Croatian football player. Šimić was a versatile defender who played as full-back, sweeper or centre back. A product of Dinamo Zagreb Academy, he later played for Serie A sides Inter Milan and AC Milan and Ligue 1 side Monaco, before returning to Dinamo Zagreb in 2010,... † |
Milan A.C. Milan Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to as A.C. Milan or simply Milan , is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Lombardy, that plays in the Serie A. Milan was founded in 1899 by English lace-maker Herbert Kilpin and businessman Alfred Edwards among others... |
Was not named in Milan's 18-man squad. |
| 2009–10 | 2010 2010 UEFA Champions League Final The 2010 UEFA Champions League Final was a football match played at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home of Real Madrid, on Saturday, 22 May 2010, to determine the winners of the 2009–10 UEFA Champions League. It was the first Champions League final to be played on a Saturday, rather than the... |
Ivica Olić Ivica Olic Ivica Olić is a Croatian professional footballer who plays for Bayern Munich in Germany and internationally for the Croatian national team.- Early career :Olić was born and raised in the village of Davor near Nova Gradiška, Croatia, Yugoslavia... |
Bayern Munich FC Bayern Munich FC Bayern Munich , is a German sports club based in Munich, Bavaria. It is best known for its professional football team, which is the most successful football club in Germany, having won 22 national titles and 15 cups.... |
Starting eleven. |
| Danijel Pranjić Danijel Pranjic Danijel Pranjić is a Croatian footballer who currently plays for German club Bayern Munich.-Club career:Pranjić started his career at Papuk. He played for NAŠK, Papuk, Belišće, and Osijek before making his move to a bigger stage at Dinamo Zagreb in 2004... |
Bayern Munich FC Bayern Munich FC Bayern Munich , is a German sports club based in Munich, Bavaria. It is best known for its professional football team, which is the most successful football club in Germany, having won 22 national titles and 15 cups.... |
Unused substitute. | ||
UEFA Europa League
The following table lists all Croatian players who appeared in the final of the UEFA CupUEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
or its successor UEFA Europa League. It does not include Croatians who were considered Yugoslav players prior to Croatia's independence in 1991.
As of 2010 a total of four Croatian players are credited as winning the competition: Mario Stanić
Mario Stanic
Mario Stanić is a former Croatian football midfielder.-Career:He started his career with Željezničar Sarajevo. He was considered to be one of the most talented young players in former Yugoslavia. In 1992, war began and he went to Croatia, where he played for Dinamo Zagreb...
, Ivica Olić
Ivica Olic
Ivica Olić is a Croatian professional footballer who plays for Bayern Munich in Germany and internationally for the Croatian national team.- Early career :Olić was born and raised in the village of Davor near Nova Gradiška, Croatia, Yugoslavia...
, Ivica Križanac
Ivica Križanac
Ivica Križanac is a Croatian football defender who currently plays for RNK Split.He previously played for Górnik Zabrze of Poland where he became one of Polish league's best players. Since joining FC Zenit Saint Petersburg Ivica has been a major player. He is a consistent player...
and Darijo Srna
Darijo Srna
Darijo Srna is a Croatian footballer who plays for Shakhtar Donetsk as a captain and is also the captain of the Croatian national team.-Club career:Srna's talent was seen by many scouts in Croatia while he was young...
- although Stanić did not appear for his club in the final. In addition, no Croatian player has either appeared in the final more than once or scored a goal in the final match.
Players indicated in bold appeared in the final and players marked with † won the competition.
| Season | Final | Player | Club | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993–94 | 1994 1994 UEFA Cup Final The 1994 UEFA Cup Final was played on April 26, 1994 and May 11, 1994 between Internazionale of Italy and SV Casino Salzburg of Austria. Inter won both games 1–0 to record a 2–0 aggregate victory.-First leg:-Second leg:-References:*... |
Damir Mužek |  Casino Salzburg |
Came on as a substitute in the 1st leg. Unused substitute in the 2nd leg. |
| Nikola Jurčević Nikola Jurcevic Nikola Jurčević is a retired Croatian football player who is now a coach.He played for clubs Dinamo Zagreb , in Belgium with R. Antwerp F.C. , NK Zagreb , in Austria with SV Austria Salzburg , and in German Bundesliga with SC Freiburg... |
Casino Salzburg |
Starting eleven in the 2nd leg. | ||
| 1994–95 | 1995 1995 UEFA Cup Final The 1995 UEFA Cup Final was played between two Italian teams Juventus and Parma, and was played over two legs. The first match between these two sides was played at the Ennio Tardini Stadium and it ended in a 1–0 victory for the home team... |
Robert Jarni Robert Jarni Robert Jarni is a retired Croatian footballer who played as left winger or wingback. He is now a manager, but is currently without a club after resigning from his managerial post at Istra 1961 in September 2010.... |
Juventus Juventus F.C. Juventus Football Club S.p.A. , commonly referred to as Juventus and colloquially as Juve , are a professional Italian association football club based in Turin, Piedmont... |
Starting eleven in both legs. |
| 1998–99 | 1999 1999 UEFA Cup Final The 1999 UEFA Cup Final a football match that took place at Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, on 12 May 1999 between Parma A.C. of Italy and Olympique de Marseille of France. Parma won the match 3–0... |
Mario Stanić Mario Stanic Mario Stanić is a former Croatian football midfielder.-Career:He started his career with Željezničar Sarajevo. He was considered to be one of the most talented young players in former Yugoslavia. In 1992, war began and he went to Croatia, where he played for Dinamo Zagreb... † |
Parma Parma F.C. Parma Football Club , commonly referred to as just Parma, is an Italian professional football club based in Parma, Emilia–Romagna that will compete in Serie A for the 2011–12 season, having finished in twelfth position last season. Founded as Verdi Foot Ball Club in July 1913, the club changed its... |
Was not named in Parma's 16-man squad. |
| 1999–2000 | 2000 2000 UEFA Cup Final The 2000 UEFA Cup Final was a football match contested between Galatasaray of Turkey and Arsenal of England on 17 May 2000 at Parken in Copenhagen... |
Davor Šuker Davor Šuker Davor Šuker , is a retired Croatian footballer. He played as a striker for a number of European clubs as well as the Croatian national team, where he is the all-time top goal scorer with 45 goals.... |
Arsenal Arsenal F.C. Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups... |
Came on as a substitute in 115th minute. |
| 2004–05 | 2005 2005 UEFA Cup Final The 2005 UEFA Cup Final was between Sporting CP of Portugal and CSKA Moscow of Russia. The match took at place at Sporting's home, Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon, on 18 May 2005. CSKA Moscow won their first UEFA Cup and became the first Russian club to win a major European championship.-Match details:... |
Ivica Olić Ivica Olic Ivica Olić is a Croatian professional footballer who plays for Bayern Munich in Germany and internationally for the Croatian national team.- Early career :Olić was born and raised in the village of Davor near Nova Gradiška, Croatia, Yugoslavia... † |
 CSKA Moscow |
Starting eleven. |
| 2007–08 | 2008 2008 UEFA Cup Final The 2008 UEFA Cup Final was the 37th final of the UEFA Cup, UEFA's second tier club football tournament. The match was played at the City of Manchester Stadium, home ground of Manchester City F.C., in Manchester, England, at 20:45 CEST on 14 May 2008.The match was contested by Zenit St. Petersburg... |
Ivica Križanac Ivica Križanac Ivica Križanac is a Croatian football defender who currently plays for RNK Split.He previously played for Górnik Zabrze of Poland where he became one of Polish league's best players. Since joining FC Zenit Saint Petersburg Ivica has been a major player. He is a consistent player... † |
Zenit St. Petersburg FC Zenit Saint Petersburg Football Club Zenit is a Russian football club from the city of Saint-Petersburg. Founded in 1925 , the club plays in the Russian Premier League... |
Starting eleven. |
| 2008–09 | 2009 2009 UEFA Champions League Final The 2009 UEFA Champions League Final was played on 27 May 2009 at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy. The match determined the winners of the 2008–09 season of the UEFA Champions League, a tournament for the top football clubs in Europe. The match was won by Barcelona of Spain, who beat England's... |
Darijo Srna Darijo Srna Darijo Srna is a Croatian footballer who plays for Shakhtar Donetsk as a captain and is also the captain of the Croatian national team.-Club career:Srna's talent was seen by many scouts in Croatia while he was young... † |
 Shakhtar DonetskFC Shakhtar Donetsk FC Shakhtar Donetsk is a Ukrainian professional football club from the city of Donetsk. Shakhtar has appeared in several European competitions and currently is often a participant of the UEFA Champions League. The club became the first Ukrainian club to win the UEFA Cup in 2009, the last year... |
Starting eleven. Club captain. |
| Jurica Vranješ | Werder Bremen SV Werder Bremen SV Werder Bremen is a German sports club best known for its association football team playing in Bremen, in the northwest German federal state of the same name. The club was founded on 4 February 1899 as Fußballverein Werder by a group of sixteen vocational high school students who had won a prize... |
Unused substitute. | ||
Futsal
FutsalFutsal
Futsal is a variant of association football that is played on a smaller pitch and mainly played indoors. Its name is a portmanteau of the Portuguese futebol de salão and the Spanish fútbol de salón , which can be translated as "hall football" or "indoor football"...
, called mali nogomet (lit. "small football") in Croatia, is also widely played and is sometimes considered as a mini football league. It is often taught in schools and also played by football professionals as a pastime.
The Croatian First League of Futsal
Croatian First League of Futsal
The Prva Hrvatska Malonogometna Liga is the top futsal league in Croatia.Twelve teams currently comprise the league. The Croatian First League winner is entered into the UEFA Futsal Cup. Clubs also compete in the Croatian Futsal Cup.The league was formed in 1991 with the dissolution of the...
is the top-tier futsal competition.
Fans
The Croatian football fans organize in various fan groups such as the TorcidaTorcida Split
Torcida is a Hajduk Split supporters group, from Croatia, founded on 28 October 1950. The name "Torcida" is the Brazilian Portuguese word for "supporters". Club fans operate from Zrinsko Frankopanska-17, Split...
(Hajduk), Bad Blue Boys
Bad Blue Boys
Bad Blue Boys are an Ultras group who support the Croatian football club GNK Dinamo Zagreb.-History:Bad Blue Boys were originally founded on 17 March 1986 in Zagreb , with members from different areas of Zagreb...
(Dinamo), Armada
Armada Rijeka
Armada is a football supporters club for NK Rijeka; they're also known to support Rijeka's other sports clubs, such as RK Zamet , VK Primorje or KK Kvarner ....
(Rijeka), Kohorta (Osijek), etc.
On the international games, the Croatian fans usually wear the checkerboard colors red and white, as they are on the Croatian coat of arms.