June 14, 2022 - At Monday's press conference in Pula, Ivica Tucak determined 13 players who will represent Croatia at the 2022 World Water Polo Championships in Hungary in one week.
Recall, the Croatia water polo team began its cycle of preparations in Pula before they leave for the World Championships in Hungary from June 18 to July 3. Croatia will play its first game on June 21.
"I made the final decision after much deliberation. Ever since Podgorica and the qualifications for the World League a month ago, I opted for a team like this, a team that is a bit faster, a bit younger, and hopefully more aggressive. We have players who can play both on the right and in the back, those who will, so to speak, "fill" the quota of personal mistakes. I think this team also looked decent in the game in Trieste last Friday against Italy. This is simply the most ideal thing we have," said coach Tucak.
Croatia and Italy will meet again in a friendly match on June 14 at the Pula City Pool.
Croatia will start the 2022 World Water Polo Championships in Group B and will play the following schedule:
June 21: Greece - Croatia (19:30)
June 23: Croatia - Germany (18:00)
June 25: Japan - Croatia (18:00)
Croatia player list for 2022 World Water Polo Championships
Goalkeepers
Marko Bijač
Toni Popadić
Centers
Ivan Krapić (kapetan momčadi)
Josip Vrlić
Defenders
Marko Žuvela
Rino Burić
Attackers
Luka Bukić
Loren Fatović
Ante Vukičević
Konstantin Harkov
Jerko Marinić Kragić
Franko Lazić
Andrija Bašić
Reserves:
Lovro Paparić – center
Ivan Domagoj Zović – attackers
Coaching staff
Ivica Tucak – coach
Zoran Bajić – assistant coach
Jure Marelja – assistant coach
Pero Kuterovac – conditioning coach
Renco Posinković – goalkeeper coach
Igor Pezelj – video analysis
Damir Luketić – physiotherapist
Petar Kopanja – physiotherapist
Dr. Ivan Čurlin – doctor
Recall, defender Hrvoje Benić and goalkeeper Ivan Marcelić were injured already before the preparations, so coach Tucak knew he would travel to the World Championships without these two.
Source: HVS
For more, make sure to check out our dedicated sports section.
