It took just eight minutes for Croatia fans to snap up all available tickets for their European Championships qualification (ECQ) clash with Turkey so a full house will be roaring them on in Osijek as they bid to move closer to the 2024 finals. Unbeaten in the group so far (W3, D1), they’re assured of at least a play-off place and encouragingly have lost just one of the last seven H2Hs (W3, D3).
All three prior H2Hs they hosted were drawn, but after only losing once at home since November 2020 (W6, D4), beaten 3-0 by Austria in June last year, it’s no surprise that Croatian fans are keen to see their side in action. They’ll be hoping the Checkered Ones can extend a truly remarkable record of never losing a home ECQ fixture (W28, D9) since joining UEFA back in 1993.
Turkey, who lost 2-0 at home to Croatia in March, have their work cut out but with a play-off spot guaranteed, they also currently occupy an automatic qualification place (W3, D1, L1). The Turkish FA recently withdrew its bid to host Euro 2028, instead being confirmed as co-hosting Euro 2032 with Italy but for now Vincenzo Montella’s side is firmly focused on securing a third straight finals appearance.
The former Azzurri man succeeded Stefan Kuntz last month, becoming the first Italian manager of the Crescent-Stars since the 1960s. It’s a tough opening game for him but on the positive side, Turkey have lost just one of their last 11 ECQ away games (W7, D3) and with two road victories from two attempts so far in this edition, they’ll travel with some confidence of claiming another good result in Croatia.
Players to watch: Bruno Petković scored twice for Croatia in their last home game (W5-0 vs. Latvia) and has registered four goal contributions (G3, A1) across his last three appearances for Dinamo Zagreb. A potential late threat, Bertuğ Yildirim has scored after the 60th minute in both of Turkey’s last two internationals.
Hot streak: Croatia haven’t conceded over 1.5 goals in a home ECQ game this millennium (W21, D7).
