After earning a silver medal in last year’s competition, the Croatian national team will know their 2024-25 UEFA Nations League group stage opponents Thursday evening.
Due to their success in 2023, the Vatreni have earned Pot 1 honors alongside Italy, Spain, and Netherlands ahead of the draw. Below them in Pot 2 stand Portugal, Denmark, Hungary, and Belgium, followed by Germany, Poland, Switzerland, and France in Pot 3. Israel, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Scotland, and Serbia round out Pot 4.
Realistically, is there any easy path to the final four this time around? Let’s take a quick peek.
Croatia’s Easiest Path to the Semifinals
In a perfect scenario, Croatia would draw Hungary, Poland, and BiH tomorrow night in Paris. The Vatreni would likely be favored in every group stage matchup — even on the road — already having proven success against Hungary on home soil. A seamless trip to the final four could potentially persuade Luka Modrić to stay with the team for another year, as he continues his quest for gold in red and white checkers.
Croatia hasn’t played neighbors Bosnia & Herzegovina since clashing in an international friendly back in 2007. The Vatreni came out on top 5-3 with goals from Eduardo, Darijo Srna (x2), and Niko Kovač (x2). Croatia and Poland haven’t battled since the 2008 Euro, where the Vatreni escaped with a 1-0 victory. The last time Croatia faced Hungary was at Poljud in 2019, with a 3-0 victory going Croatia’s way in Euro qualifying.
A Group to Avoid
Given their recent history regarding international draws, a “group of death” might just be in the cards for Croatia again this time around. Ultimately, the group to avoid would include Portugal from Pot 2, France from Pot 3, and Serbia from Pot 4.
Portugal and France — obviously — are two teams you never want to play in any group stage. On paper, they’d be favored against Croatia 7-8 times out of 10, and have the depth to play a full 90 with dominance against any given opponent.
Now, imagine the Vatreni draw Serbia Thursday night.
While they might not be the best team out of Pot 4, two wins against Serbia would be difficult to come by given the emotions that go into that clash. In any rivalry matchup, results are typically all over the place. If you’re Croatia, you can’t drop any unnecessary points in a tournament of this level.
The UEFA Nations League draw takes place tomorrow at 11 am ET. Stay tuned for official drawings, thoughts, and predictions.
So we got Portugal Poland Scotland
My choice would be Hungary, Poland and Israel, despite the fact that Hungary alongside Austria and Scotland have improved a lot in the last few years.
Two teams from each group go to the quarterfinals and that should be our first aim. Once you make it to the QF you can test yourself against countries like Portugal and France.
Scotland remind me of Hungary.
They’re playing well (and getting results) but I’m not sold on either of them.
I can’t stand this defeatist mentality of winning because we avoided the group of death 💀
This reasoning only makes sense if you believe there’s match fixing/favouritism for certain teams besides that I welcome all competition.
I especially seek competitive revenge against the French and would love to see our fortunes against Portugal reversed.
I want every country quaking in their football shoes 👟 at the idea of playing MIGHTY HRVATSKA as opposed to this cowardice strategy.
Beating France or Spain in Nations League is not competitive revenge. Beating them at a World Cup or a Euro is competitive revenge.
Again defeatist mentality, I’m happy you’re not my fire team partner in the trenches.
Any friendly or form of competition in my opinion is revenge and will build to greater glory.
If you and others have this attitude to avoid these teams at all costs and hope you win when it counts, you’ll be sadly disappointed.
The only way for total domination is to face these teams whenever possible.
For many years it’s been argued that Croatia needs tune up games with World Class opponents as opposed to bottom feeders, yet the Cult of of least resistance still debates.