Croatia 1 Slovenia 1: Slovenia earned a comfortable draw in the first leg of their play-off to boost their chances of qualifying for next year's Euro 2004 finals in Portugal.
Dado Prso gave Croatia the lead after only five minutes after being set up by a superb header from Ivica Mornar from a Niko Kovac free kick.
Just when it looked like Croatia would push on for a more convincing win, Slovenia striker Ermin Siljak headed the equaliser after 22 minutes. Siljak will miss the second leg after a booking earned him a one-match suspension.
CROATIA: Pletikosa, Simic, Neretljak, Tomas, Tudor, Zivkovic (Srna 59), Mornar, Leko (Rosso 46), Prso, Nico Kovac, Olic (Rapaic 46). Subs Not Used: Butina, Tokic, Simunic, Zekic. Booked: Neretljak, Tomas, Srna, Prso. Goal: Prso 5.
SLOVENIA: Dabanovic, Cipot, Karic, Vugdalic, Knavs, Sukalo, Ceh (Bulajic 87), Siljak (Cesar 90), Zahovic, Pavlin, Acimovic (Kapic 75). Subs Not Used: Mavric, Rudonja, Rakovic, Koren. Booked: Cipot, Sukalo. Goal: Siljak 22.
Referee: Markus Merk (Germany).
