February 14, 2022 - The Croatia water polo team gathered at the Aristos Hotel in Zagreb on Sunday to begin preparations for the 2nd round of the 2022 World League in Zagreb. Croatia and Russia will face off in Group D on Tuesday, February 15.
The list of 17 players has not changed, except for minor modifications.
"Goalkeeper Marko Bijač will join on the day of the match. Ivan Krapić will not compete in the match after an injury in the previous round of the World League, though he is with the team and training normally, just like Konstantin Kharkov, who does not have the right to play yet. Ante Vukičević and Loren Fatović have just come out of isolation due to coronavirus, but they are also at the preparations," said coach Ivica Tucak.
The Croatia-Russia match is scheduled for Tuesday, February 15 at 6 pm at the Mladost swimming pool in Zagreb, and can be watched live on the FINA YouTube channel. Croatia trained in the late afternoon-evening period on Sunday, two training sessions are planned for Monday, and another relaxing one on Tuesday morning before the match.
Croatia is in the European Group D of the World League. In the first round, Croatia beat Greece 12:11 away, and with a victory against Russia, it would confirm its placement in the final European tournament of the World League, which will be held in Budapest from April 28 to 30, 2022.
Croatia lineup
GOALKEEPERS
Marko Bijač (Olympiacos)
Ivan Marcelić (Jadran)
Toni Popadić (Jug Adroatic osiguranje)
CENTERS
Josip Vrlić (Radnički)
Ivan Krapić (Noisy-le-Sec)
Lovro Paparić (Vouliagmeni)
ATTACKERS
Luka Bukić (Jadran)
Ante Vukičević (Marseille)
Loren Fatović (Jug Adriatic osiguranje)
Franko Lazić (Mladost)
Ivan Domagoj Zović (Szolnok)
Andrija Bašić (Palermo)
DEFENDERS
Hrvoje Benić (Jug Adriatic osiguranje)
Marko Žuvela (Jug Adriatic osiguranje)
Rino Burić (Jadran)
Kristijan Milaković (Szolnok)
Matias Biljaka (Mladost)
COACHING STAFF
Coach - Ivica Tucak
Cssistant coach - Zoran Bajić, Jure Marelja, Frano Vićan and Igor Pezelj
Conditioning trainer - Pero Kuterovac
Physiotherapist - Damir Luketić
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