The Croatian futsal national team achieved the greatest success in its history at major competitions, in the duel for third place in Ljubljana at the European Championship, it defeated France after a shootout with a score of 11-10.
Until now, the biggest success at major competitions was the fourth place at the European Championship in 2012, and this time Croatia went one step further and won the bronze medal in a dramatic duel against the French.
The Croatian futsal team won bronze at the European Championship ⚽️🥉
Video: SportDigital / RTL pic.twitter.com/A42nnA4BTf
— Jabuka.tv (@jabukatv) February 7, 2026
After 40 minutes the score was 5-5, with the fact that French fifth goal scored seven seconds before the end. In the shootout, all Croatian performers were precise, they hit the target Jelovčić, Sekulić, Kustura, Perić, Jurlina and Vukmirwhile in the sixth series the Frenchman Toure shot over the goal and the big Croatian celebration in the Stožice hall could begin.
France quickly gained an advantage at the start of the duel, in the fourth minute Menendez shot and found its way to the Croatian net. After that, Marinko Mavrović’s team dominated the floor of the hall in Ljubljana and created chances to equalize.
Croatia managed to equalize in the 13th minute, the scorer was Antonio Sekulicand went to the break with Croatia leading 2-1 after the French lost the ball, and Josip Jurlina scored for 2-1. Immediately at the start of the second half, Croatia further increased the lead. With a little help from the French goalkeeper, Franco Jelovčić was the scorer for 3-1.
Quick movein the first subsequent attack, France reduced through Guiri, and in the coming period of the duel, the French threatened dangerously and sought a new equalization. However, in the 30th minute, Jakov Hrstić was clever and scored for 4-2, a new Croatian advantage of two goals.
Broncaaaaaa! 🥉 #Croatia beat France in a great duel in Ljubljana after a 5:5 draw and a better performance of the sixes and won third place at the #FutsalEUROwhich is the best result of Croatian futsal in history – congratulations to everyone in the national team! 🇭🇷🎇🥳🙌… pic.twitter.com/n1LxnlXMs2
— HNS (@HNS_CFF) February 7, 2026
The French were not crushedespecially not Guirio who in the 32nd minute was the scorer for 3-4 and although Croatia lived dangerously again, they managed to escape to +2 once again. Four minutes before the end, Luka Perić was the scorer for 5-3. The drama didn’t end there because Guirio, after the French took the goalkeeper out of the game, scored to make it 4-5 in the 38th minute.
By the end, France was clutching the hoop and threatening to score at 5-5, which it did with seven seconds left when Mouhoudine scored to tie the game and advance to the bronze medal shootout. The kicks from six meters were also dramatic, but in the end the Croats were more accurate and calmer for the final celebration.
Portugal and Spain will play the final match at 19:30.
(Hina | Photo: Marko Lukunic/PIXSELL)
