On Monday, the young Croatian U-17 national team will open their performance at the European Championship in Estonia against Belgium. On the eve of the first performance at the European competition, selector Marijan Budimir and captain Jona Benkotić expressed their expectations.
We did the last training session, the most important thing for me is that they all players are healthy and can’t wait for the game. We have acclimatized to the weather conditions and will be ready for the game against Belgium. It is about a very good national team, which it showed in the previous qualifications. Belgium has top individuals, we watched videos of its matches and it really is, along with Spain, the favorite of this groupsaid Budimir and continued:
If we show our togetherness which we showed in the elite round in Poland, our homogeneity and character, as well as individual inspiration, then we have something to hope for, says Budimir, whose team has already achieved a great result by qualifying for the European and World Championships.
We want to go into every game with only one thought: if we win, it will be the same against Belgium. Of course, this does not mean that we will run headlong all over the field for the entire game, but stick to one tactical plan. I’m sure the players will do their best and I hope we can look forward to it after the gamethe selector pointed out, it was announced from HNS.
Jona Benkotić emphasizes the good atmosphere in the team.
The situation in the team is excellent, on the field and off the field, off the field it is even more pronounced. I think we are a great team, and that’s what our togetherness gives us additional impulse. I believe that all that will be enough to solve the game the way we wantsaid Jona Benkotić.
The Dinamo player also referred to the Belgian national team, which will be an extremely demanding opponent.
I am sure that we will be asked something in that game, especially if we enter the game well. We will not give the Belgians any advantage over us. We are at the Euros fully deserved and I am sure we have something to show at the Euros in Estonia. In general, the first game is very important, if we manage to win, we are already half way there.
The match between Croatia and Belgium will be played in Rakvare from 13:30 Croatian time.
(www.jabuka.tv | Photo: Davor Puklavec/Pixsell)
