Croatia opens Euro 2012 with a 3:1 victory!

Croatia played an excellent game in the first game of the UEFA European Championship group stage and secured a 3:1 victory against Ireland.

Our national team was a much better side, dominated the entire match and fully deserved their victory. The game couldn't have started better than to score and early goal and Croatia did exactly that. It was Mario Mandžukić who converted a pass from Darijo Srna and headed to ball into the net after just 3 minutes of play.

Despite Dinamo dominance, it was Ireland who scored the next goal. In the 19. minute St Ledger escaped defensive line and headed the ball into the net. Equaliser forced Croatia to press even harder and it paid of couple of minutes before half time when Nikica Jelavić once again put Croatia in front.

Just like in the beginning, after three minutes of play in the second half Croatia scored once again. Another great header from fantastic Mandžukić brought Croatia a two goal lead. Croatia and Ireland had several more chances till the end of the game but there was no more goals.

Unfortunately, all five Dinamo players watched the game from the subs bench.

Since Spain and Italy played a 1:1 draw, after 1. round matches Croatia is the leading team of group C. The next game is on Thursday, 14.6., when Croatia plays against Italy.