Oct 11, 2014
Jelavic quits Croatian national team after benching
Unhappy with sitting on the bench, Nikica Jelavic says he is quitting the Croatian national team. The Hull striker made the announcement on Saturday, a day after he sat out the European Championship qualifying match against Bulgaria that Croatia won 1-0 in Sofia.
The Canadian Press
![Nikica Jelavic, Michael Steele/Getty Images Nikica Jelavic](/polopoly_fs/1.104539.1413040533!/fileimage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_620/nikica-jelavic.jpg)
ZAGREB, Croatia - Unhappy with sitting on the bench, Nikica Jelavic says he is quitting the Croatian national team.
The Hull striker made the announcement on Saturday, a day after he sat out the European Championship qualifying match against Bulgaria that Croatia won 1-0 in Sofia.
Croatia coach Niko Kovac was surprised by Jelavic's announcement and wished him well in his future career.
Kovac said: "I thank him for everything he has done for the Croatian national team. I wish him the best in his life and his club football career."
The 29-year-old has played 36 games for Croatia, scoring 6 goals. Before joining Hull this season, Jelavic played for Hajduk Split, Rangers and Everton.