Ivica Olić announces squad for matches against Lithuania and Hungary

Selected players

Goalkeepers:
Anthony Jacob Pavlešić (Rudeš), Toni Silić (Hajduk), Josip Cundeković (Dubrava)

Defenders:
Branimir Mlačić (Hajduk), Dominik Prpić (Porto), Matia Barzic (Cultural Leonesa), Teo Barišić (Lyon), Luka Hodak (Hajduk), Šimun Hrgović (Hajduk), Domagoj Bukvić (Osijek)

Midfielders:
Luka Vrbančić (Osijek), Lovro Zvonarek (Grasshoppers), Adriano Jagušić (Slaven Belupo), Šimun Mikolčić (Osijek), Ivan Katić (Lokomotiva), Marin Šotiček (Basel 1893), Fabijan Krivak (Lokomotiva), Luka Tunjić (Fortuna Sittard), Ante Kavelj (Gorica)

Forwards:
Leon Grgić (Sturm), Fran Topić (Dinamo)

Preliminary call-ups:
Jozo Vukman (Hrvace), Rocco Žiković (RB Salzburg), Zvonimir Katalinić (Slaven Belupo), Branko Pavić (Dinamo), Oliver Lukić (RB Salzburg), Roko Brajković (Hajduk), Mate Antunović (Varaždin)

 

 

 

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Team schedule

The Croatia U-21 team will gather in Zagreb on 9 November and will train at the NK Trešnjevka stadium until the match against Lithuania on 13 November at 17:00 in Velika Gorica.
The team will travel to Budapest on 16 November, with the match against Hungary scheduled for 18 November at 20:00.

Head coach Ivica Olić highlighted the importance of proper preparation:

“Since this is the first time in this qualifying cycle that we have two matches in quick succession — Lithuania and Hungary — we will have less time to prepare as a group. Our focus is entirely on the first match against Lithuania, a team with a completely different profile compared to our first two opponents, Turkey and Ukraine.

Lithuania have shown themselves to be a tough side, defending very well in a 5–4–1 formation. They kept a clean sheet against Ukraine until the 70th minute, resisted Turkey, and drew with Hungary. We can expect a team that will set up a strong defensive block. The longer they keep a positive result, the harder it will be for us. We must prepare well and absolutely must not underestimate them.”

Match schedule

13 November 2025, 17:00
Croatia – Lithuania

18 November 2025, 20:00
Hungary – Croatia

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