The Croatian futsal national team celebrated its first medal from major competitions after defeating France for third place, showcasing a dramatic match that ended in penalties.
The Croatian futsal national team has made history by winning its first medal at a major competition, clinching third place after an intense showdown against France in Ljubljana's Arena Stožice. Despite leading by two goals on three occasions during the match, the game took a dramatic turn when France equalized with just seven seconds left in regular time, ending the match at 5:5 and leading to a penalty shootout to determine the winner.
In the decisive penalties, Croatian players showed remarkable precision, with Jelovčić, Sekulić, Kustura, Perić, Jurlina, and Vukmir successfully converting their shots, while French player Toure missed, sealing Croatia's victory. This victory not only marks a significant achievement for the Croatian futsal team but also serves as an inspiration, as the team prepares for future competitions, potentially including the upcoming World Cup, with one of the oldest squads in the tournament.
The achievement is particularly noteworthy considering that Croatia's prior best performance in futsal European championships was a fourth place finish in 2012. The players celebrated their success exuberantly in the locker room, sharing videos of their joyful moments on social media, highlighting the camaraderie and spirit within the team as they celebrate this groundbreaking milestone in Croatian futsal history.
