The young Croatian women's football team, the U17 selection, defeated Bulgaria 3-2 in Karlovac, thereby securing a place in the second round of UEFA Euro qualifiers. The new edition of UEFA Euro 2027 will be held in Finland.
Croatia won their opening match against Slovakia 1-0, while the match against Bulgaria was played at Čavlek Stadium in Karlovac. With one round to go, Croatia have mathematically secured progression. Three of the four national teams from the Karlovac-Zagreb group will advance.
Poland were successful in the first two rounds against Bulgaria and Slovakia. The Croatian and Polish teams are guaranteed progression, while the Bulgarians and Slovaks will decide who takes the third spot.
In today's match against Bulgaria, Delišimunović opened the scoring in the third minute; she had also scored the only goal against Slovakia. The visitors equalised in the 26th minute, but Delišimunović was precise again in the 30th minute to make it 2-0. In the 42nd minute, Čebić scored to make it 3-1, while the Bulgarians reduced the deficit to 3-2 in the 81st minute. Towards the end of the match, the Bulgarians had a half-chance to equalise, but the shot count was 29-4 in favour of the young Croatian footballers.
On Sunday at 12:00, also at Čavlek Stadium, Croatia and Poland will decide the first place in the group. A draw suits the Poles as they have a better goal difference. Simultaneously, in Zagreb, Bulgaria and Slovakia will decide the third place, with the Slovaks having the advantage of a better goal difference in the event of a draw.
