Nikola Kalini lost against Malta in the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying that was held in Malta.
On 17 November 2010, Kalinic scored his first international goal, scoring the third goal in Croatia's 30 win at home to Malta in the Euro 2012 qualifiers. Initially supposed to be called up by head coach Slaven Bilic for the few remaining qualifying matches of UEFA Euro 2008, Kalinic missed the chance due to injury and was instead replaced by Mario Mandzukic. However, his constant impressive abilities earned him a place in Croatia's final squad for Euro 2008. The qualifying competition for UEFA Euro 2012 was a series of parallel association football competitions held over 2010 and 2011 to decide the qualifiers for UEFA Euro 2012, held in Poland and Ukraine. 
