Croatia made their Eurovision Song Contest debut in 1993, and in 2024 saw its best result in the contest to date finishing second represented by Baby Lasagna.
Croatia in Eurovision
Croatia had aimed to participate in Eurovision in 1992 organising a selection, but it was only in 1993 that HRT became eligible to compete in the contest. The nation competed in the first Eurovision Semi-Final, Kvalifikacija za Millstreet to claim their spot in Eurovision 1993. Read more about their results below:
- 1993 – Put – “Don’t Ever Cry” – 15th – 31 points
- 1994 – Tony Cetinski – “Nek’ ti bude ljubav sva” – 16th – 27 points
- 1995 – Magazin and Lidija – “Nostalgija” – 6th – 91 points
- 1996 – Maja Blagdan – “Sveta ljubav” – 4th – 98 points
- 1997 – E.N.I – “Probudi me” – 17th – 24 points
- 1998 – Danijela – “Neka mi ne svane” – 5th – 131 points
- 1999 – Doris – “Marija Magdalena” – 4th – 118 points
- 2000 – Goran Karan – “Kad zaspu anđeli” – 9th – 70 points
- 2001 – Vanna – “Strings of My Heart” – 10th – 42 points
- 2002 – Vesna Pisarović – “Everything I Want” – 11th – 44 points
- 2003 – Claudia Beni – “Više nisam tvoja” – 15th – 29 points
- 2004 – Ivan Mikulić – “You Are The Only One” – 12th – 50 points
- 2005 – Boris Novković feat. Lado members – “Vukovi umiru sami” – 11th – 115 points
- 2006 – Severina – “Moja štikla” – 12th – 56 points
- 2007 – Dragonfly featuring Dado Topić – “Verujem u ljubav” – 16th in the Semi-Final – 54 points
- 2008 – Kraljevi ulice and 75 Cents – “Romanca” – 21st – 44 points
- 2009 – Igor Cukrov feat. Andrea – “Lijepa Tena” – 18th – 45 points
- 2010 – Feminem – “Lako je sve” – 13th in the Semi-Final – 33 points
- 2011 – Daria – “Celebrate” – 15th in the Semi-Final – 41 points
- 2012 – Nina Badrić – “Nebo” – 12th in the Semi-Final – 42 points
- 2013 – Klapa s Mora – “Mižerja” – 13th in the Semi-Final – 38 points
- 2016 – Nina Kraljić – “Lighthouse” – 23rd – 73 points
- 2017 – Jacques Houdek – “My Friend” – 13th – 128 points
- 2018 – Franka – “Crazy” – 17th in the Semi-Final – 63 points
- 2019 – Roko – “The Dream” – 14th in the Semi-Final – 64 points
- 2020 – Damir Kedžo – “Divlji vjetre” – Contest cancelled due to COVID-19
- 2021 – Albina – “Tick-Tock” – 11th in the Semi-Final – 110 points
- 2022 – Mia Dimšić – “Guilty Pleasure” – 11th in the Semi-Final – 75 points
- 2023 – Let 3 – “Mama ŠČ!” – 13th – 123 points
- 2024 – Baby Lasagna – “Rim Tim Tagi Dim” – 2nd – 547 points
- 2025 – Marko Bošnjak – “Poison Cake” – 12th in the Semi-Final – 28 points
- 2026 – Lelek – “Andromeda” – 15th – 124 points
Croatia withdrew from competing in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2014 and 2015 due to financial difficulties at HRT and poor results in recent years. In 2014, HRT broadcast the final, while in 2015 it did not broadcast the contest.
Croatia and other Eurovision family events
Croatia has participated in a number of Eurovision contests, and in 2020 was due to host Eurovision Young Musicians before the contest was canceled due to COVID-19.
Eurovision Dance Contest
HRT of Croatia was originally reported by the European Broadcasting Union to be one the fourteen countries taking part in the first Eurovision Dance Contest in 2007. The broadcaster however withdrew from competing before the final list of participating countries was announced.
Europe Sings
Europe Sings held in 2015 in Vienna. The live event took place in Vienna at the Rathausplatz. Each choir will performed a piece which had a national flavour to it, and then stay on stage to perform together popular choral songs. Croatia were represented by Concordia Discors at the non-competitive event.
Eurovision Young Dancers
Croatia participated once in Eurovision Young Dancers in 2011, having previously broadcast the 1999 and 2003 contests. Grigor Bazdar represented Croatia in Oslo but was not among the two participants to progress to the final duel.
Eurovision Young Musicians
Croatia made its debut in Eurovision Young Musicians in 1994 and was a regular participant in the contest until withdrawing from the contest in 2024.
In 2020, HRT of Croatia was due to host the 20th edition of the contest on an open-air stage in King Tomislav Square with the Grand Final on June 21, 2020. Semi-Finals were to be held on June 17 at the Bers Hall of the Zagreb Academy of Music. Eleven countries were due to compete in the contest which was ultimately cancelled due to COVID-19.
Croatia’s results in the contest are as follows:
- 1994 – Ana Vidovic (Guitar) – Did not qualify for the final
- 1998 – Monika Leskovar (Cello) – 2nd
- 2000 – Jan Jankovic (Horn) – Did not qualify for the final
- 2002 – Ivo Dropulich (Violin) – Did not qualify for the final
- 2004 – Kajana Pačko (Cello) – Did not qualify for the final
- 2006 – Varga Zita (Cello) – Did not qualify for the final
- 2008 – Marin Maras (Violin) – Did not qualify for the final
- 2010 – Filip Merčep (Percussion) – Finalist
- 2012 – Katarina Kutnar (Violin) – Did not qualify for the final
- 2014 – Sara Domjanić (Violin)
- 2016 – Marko Martinović (Tamburica)
- 2018 – Jan Tominić (Saxophone) – Did not qualify for the final
- 2020 – Ivan Petrović-Poljak – Contest cancelled due to COVID-19
- 2022 – Ivan Petrović-Poljak (Piano)
HRT also aired Eurovision Young Musicians 1992 on delay on HTV 2.
Jeux sans frontières
Jeux sans frontières was organised by the European Broadcasting Union between 1965 and 1999, with thirty editions of the show held. The show saw broadcasters send teams to compete in a series of games, each broadcaster hosted one episode. Croatia was one of a handful of countries to sign-up for a relaunch planned for 2007, however, the show was cancelled.
Junior Eurovision Song Contest
Croatia were the winners of the first edition of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2003, and have competed in six editions of the contest.
Following their victory in 2003, HRT was due to host the 2004 contest after ITV withdrew, however, HRT was unable to secure a venue. HRT would also bid to host the 2005, 2007 and 2007 editions of the contest.
Croatia’s results are:
- 2003 – Dino Jelusić – “Ti si moja prva ljubav” – 1st – 134 points
- 2004 – Nika Turković – “Hej mali” – 3rd – 126 points
- 2005 – Lorena Jelusić – “Rock Baby” – 12th – 36 points
- 2006 – Mateo Đido – “Lea” – 10th – 50 points
- 2014 – Josie – “Game Over” – 16th – 13 points
- 2025 – Marino Vrgoč – “Snovi” – 14th – 70 points
Other Programs
The following shows were also broadcast by HRT of Croatia:
- Congratulations: 50 Years of the Eurovision Song Contest – 2005
- Eurovision Europe Shine a Light – 2020
During the history of the Eurovision Song Contest and Eurovision family of events over fifty countries have competed, but there are more countries eligible or interested in participating. Find out more here.
Image: Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU