April 14, 2022 - The Croatia men's handball team defeated Finland 21:34 in the first leg of the 2nd round of the 2023 World Handball Championship qualifiers.

Croatia has thus made a big step toward securing a spot in that competition and plays the return match in Varaždin on Saturday, April 16 at 6 pm.

FINLAND: P. Roslander 0/1, M. Makela 16/46, L. Lindberg 2/2, M. Henriksson 2/4, F. Forss 0/2, V. Gronmark 1/1, B. Helander 1/3 , R. Sundberg - / -, E. Hammarberg 0/1, R. Syrjala 1/2, R. Granlund 5/9, S. Vainionpaa 2/2, S. Sakkinen 1/3, G.Montonen 3/6, F. Karlsson 3/6, O. Norlund 0/1, coach: Ola Lindgren (Swe)

CROATIA: D. Kuzmanović 1/3, M. Šego 12/32, M. Marić 0/3, D. Duvnjak 1/1, I. Karačić 1/3, M. Maraš 0/2, M. Mamić 2/2 , L. Cindrić 6/8, V. Matanović 2/4, T. Lučin 2/3, H. Jaganjac 0/1, L. Šušnja - / -, D. Ćavar 4/6, F. Glavaš 8/10, L. L. Klarica 3/8, M. Jelinić 5/7, selector: Hrvoje Horvat

Of the 18 players brought to Finland, coach Hrvoje Horvat left Matej Mandic and Veron Nacinovic in the stands. It is worth reminding that Croatia was left without David Mandić, Željko Musa, Zvonimir Srna, Ivan Čupić, Luka Šebetić, Marin Šipić, and Ivan Martinović before these two qualifying matches due to injuries.

Croatia opened the match with the following line-up: Marin Šego in goal, Marin Jelinić and Filip Glavaš on the wings, Marino Marić as the pivot, and Domagoj Duvnjak, Luka Cindrić and Luka Lovre Klarica on the outside positions. There was only one change in defense-attack, Marino Marić - Leon Šušnja.

Croatia started calmly and used four of the first five attacks to take the 2:4 lead after only six minutes. 

Domagoj Duvnjak pushed forward, resulting in a series of mistakes for Finland. Thus, in the 12th minute, Croatia doubled its advantage to 4:8. After the first quarter, they could have been up by 8 or 9 points, but it was 6:10. 

Horvat started with a series of substitutions. Igor Karačić, Vlado Matanović, and Tin Lučin entered, and Marko Mamić also defended. Croatia made good use of Finland's exclusions, and at the end of the 20th minute, Croatia was up by 6 goals - 7:13. However, Croatia went without a goal for five minutes, and Finland was helpless against Marin Šego (10 saves).

At halftime, Croatia was up by seven goals (9:16), and 8 Croatia players were among the scorers.

Finland did well in the second half. They came to minus 5 with two quick goals and forced Croatia to get serious. Croatia responded with two goals by Filip Glavas, one from seven meters, and quickly calmed down the growing ambitions of the hosts.

After 13 minutes of play, Croatia went up by 10 (15:25) with the first goal by Marko Mamic. As expected, Horvat started several new changes to give all players the opportunity in the match. The young Dominik Kuzmanović was in goal. Croatia's advantage grew from attack to attack until the final 21:34. Along with the excellent Marin Šego, who had 12 saves, the top scorer for Croatia was Filip Glavaš, with eight goals from 10 attempts. Luka Cindrić scored six and was chosen as the best player for Croatia. 

Source: HRS

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March 29, 2022 - The Croatia handball squad for the upcoming 2023 World Championship qualifiers against Finland has been named. Croatia will play the first match away on April 13 and in Varaždin on April 16. 

After the recent national team gathering in March, the Croatia men's senior national team will get together again in April. During the upcoming EHF week from April 11 to 17, 2022, the second round of qualifications for next year's World Championships will be played. Croatia is also participating in the second round of qualifications.

Croatia will meet Finland in the 2023 World Championship qualifiers. The first match will be hosted in Vantaa, on April 13, 2022, at 18:00. The return match will be played at Arena Varaždin, on April 16, also at 18:00.

Coach Hrvoje Horvat announced the list of players for the upcoming matches. There are 21 players on Horvat's list and nine more on the reserve list.

Croatia handball player list

MARIN ŠEGO – MONTPELLIER HB
MATEJ MANDIĆ – RK PPD ZAGREB
DOMINIK KUZMANOVIĆ – RK NEXE
DAVID MANDIĆ – RK PPD ZAGREB
MARIN JELINIĆ – RK NEXE
IVAN ČUPIĆ – RK PPD ZAGREB
FILIP GLAVAŠ -HC TRIMO TREBNJE
VERON NAČINOVIĆ – MONTPELLIER HB
ŽELJKO MUSA – RK PPD ZAGREB
MARINO MARIĆ – MT MELSUNGEN
MARIN ŠIPIĆ – RK PPD ZAGREB
DOMAGOJ DUVNJAK – THW KIEL
LUKA CINDRIĆ – BARCA
IGOR KARAČIĆ – LOMZA VIVE KIELCE
ZVONIMIR SRNA – RK PPD ZAGREB
MARKO MAMIĆ – SC DHfK LEIPZIG
TIN LUČIN – ORLEN WISLA PLOCK
IVAN MARTINOVIĆ – TSV HANNOVER-BURGDORF
LUKA LOVRE KLARICA – RK PPD ZAGREB
HALIL JAGANJAC – RK NEXE
LUKA ŠEBETIĆ – CB NAVA

RESERVE PLAYERS:
JOSIP ŠARAC - FRISCH AUF GöPPINGEN

JAKOV GOJUN - RK PPD ZAGREB
MATEO MARAŠ - HC EUROFARM PELISTER
LEON ŠUŠNJA - ORLEN WISLA PLOCK
IVAN PESIC - TVB 1898 STUTTGART
KRISTIAN PILIPOVIĆ - CADET SCHAUFFHAUSEN
DAVOR ĆAVAR - RK PPD ZAGREB
VLADO MATANOVIĆ - RK PPD ZAGREB
ANTE GADŽA - RK VARDAR 1961

COACHING STAFF:

HRVOJE HORVAT, COACH
IVANO BALIĆ, COACH
IVAN STEVANOVIĆ, GOALKEEPER COACH
ŠIME TOMAŠEVIĆ, CONDITIONING COACH
ŽELJKO KERCEL, PHYSIOTHERAPIST
FILIP ŠIMUNOVIĆ, PHYSIOTHERAPIST
KREŠIMIR ROTIM, DOCTOR
DOMAGOJ GAJSKI, DOCTOR
IVICA UDOVIČIĆ, DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL TEAM
IVICA MARAŠ, SPEAKER AND TEAM MANAGER
ZDRAVKO MIRILOVIĆ, TECHNICIAN
ZORAN ČULK, VIDEO (from April 13, 2022, Varaždin)

Source: HRS

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March 15, 2022 - The Croatia handball team has gathered in Varaždin to prepare for the upcoming 2023 World Championship qualifiers against Finland.

In the week when European national teams will play the first round of qualifications for the 2023 World Championships hosted by Sweden and Poland, the Croatia men's senior handball team will train in Varaždin. The national team gathered on Monday at 11:00 am at the Westin Hotel and, after antigen testing, extended their trip to the Turist Hotel in Varaždin, where they will stay until Sunday, March 20.

Coach Hrvoje Horvat invited 22 players to this gathering. But, due to injuries, Marin Šipić, Ivan Martinović, and Marko Mamić dropped out of the lineup, so there will be 19 players in Varaždin. The coach has not invited anyone from the list of reserves, which includes ten players.

Several players on this list missed the European Championships in Hungary for various reasons. There are also many young talented players, some of whom we saw in significant roles at the last big competition and some that will get the opportunity to prove themselves to the coach for a potential spot on the next list before the 2023 World Championship qualifiers against Finland 

In addition to the coach and his first associate Ivan Balić, there are several new professional staff members. Ivan Stevanović, or "Stivi," is the new goalkeeper coach. Šime Tomašević has been appointed fitness trainer. The new/old physiotherapists are Željko Kercel and Filip Šimunović. Along with psychologist Sivia Juratovac, who has been working with the A national team for some time, the new doctor with Krešimir Rotim is Domagoj Gajski, who has been with the women's team for years.

Croatia player list 

1. MARIN ŠEGO – MONTPELLIER HB
2. MATEJ MANDIĆ – RK PPD ZAGREB
3. DOMINIK KUZMANOVIĆ – RK NEXE
4. DAVID MANDIĆ – RK PPD ZAGREB
5. MARIN JELINIĆ – RK NEXE
6. IVAN ĆUPIĆ – RK PPD ZAGREB
7. VLADO MATANOVIĆ – RK PPD ZAGREB
8. FILIP PERIĆ – RK PPD ZAGREB
9. ŽELJKO MUSA – RK PPD ZAGREB
10. MARINO MARIĆ – MT MELSUNGEN
11. VERON NAČINOVIĆ – MONTPELLIER HB
12. DOMAGOJ DUVNJAK – THW KIEL
13. LUKA CINDRIĆ – BARCA
14. IGOR KARAČIĆ – LOMZA VIVE KIELCE
15. HALIL JAGANJAC – RK NEXE
16. TIN LUČIN – ORLEN WISLA PLOCK
17. LUKA ŠEBETIĆ – HC MOTOR
18. MATEO MARAŠ – HC EUROFARM PELISTER
19. LUKA LOVRE KLARICA – RK PPD ZAGREB

Reserve players 

1. LEON ŠUŠNJA – ORLEN WISLA PLOCK
2. FILIP VISTOROP – RK PPD ZAGREB
3. DAVOR ĆAVAR – RK PPD ZAGREB
4. JOSIP BOŽIĆ PAVLETIĆ – HC EUROFARM PELISTER
5. LOVRO MIHIĆ – ORLEN WISLA PLOCK
6. JAKOV GOJUN – RK PPD ZAGREB
7. IVAN PEŠIĆ – TVB 1898 STUTTGART
8. MATE ŠUNJIĆ – US IVRY HANDBALL
9. KRISTIAN PILIPOVIĆ – KADETTEN SCHAUFFHAUSEN
10. JOSIP ŠARAC – FRISCH AUF GöPPINGEN

Coaching staff 

1. HRVOJE HORVAT, COACH
2. IVANO BALIĆ, TRAINER
3. IVAN STEVANOVIĆ, GOALKEEPER COACH
4. ŠIME TOMAŠEVIĆ, CONDITIONING TRAINER
5. ŽELJKO KERCEL, PHYSIO
6. FILIP ŠIMUNOVIĆ, PHYSIO
7. SILVIA JURATOVAC, MT THERAPIST
8. KREŠIMIR ROTIM, DOCTOR
9. DOMAGOJ GAJSKI, DOCTOR
10. IVICA UDOVIČIĆ, NATIONAL TEAM DIRECTOR
11. IVICA MARAŠ, SPOKESPERSON AND TEAM MANAGER
12. ZDRAVKO MIRILOVIĆ, TECHNICAL

Source: HRS

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January 30, 2022 - The draw for both rounds of the 2023 World Handball Championship qualifiers was held in Budapest on Saturday. 

The draw took place in two phases, as there are two qualifying rounds. Thus, the first to be drawn was the national teams that have already passed the first round of qualifications by groups, i.e., those ranked from 15th to 24th place at this European Championship, reports HRS.

UKRAINE - FINLAND
ITALY - SLOVENIA
PORTUGAL - SWITZERLAND
AUSTRIA - ESTONIA
GREECE - BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
NORTHERN MACEDONIA - ROMANIA
ISRAEL - LITHUANIA
SLOVAKIA - BELGIUM
FARO ISLANDS - BELARUS

The first matches will be played from March 16 to 17, and the return matches on March 19 to 20, 2022. The first-named national teams are the hosts in the first matches.

The second round of qualifications was then drawn. Russia and Ukraine could not face each other. Therefore, Russia was drawn first and will play against the winner of Slovakia - Belgium. The Croatia men's national handball team will thus play against the winner between Ukraine and Finland in the 2023 World Handball Championship qualifications, which is being played in Sweden and Poland next year. 

RUSSIA - WINNER SLOVAKIA / BELGIUM
WINNER UKRAINE / FINLAND - CROATIA
WINNER GREECE / BiH - MONTENEGRO
WINNER PORTUGAL / SWITZERLAND - NETHERLANDS
WINNER ITALY / SLOVENIA - SERBIA
GERMANY - WINNER OF THE PHARE ISLANDS / BELARUS
CZECH REPUBLIC - WINNER SJ. MACEDONIA / ROMANIA
WINNER AUSTRIA / ESTONIA - ICELAND
WINNER ISRAEL / LITHUANIA - HUNGARY

The Croatia handball team is participating in the second round of qualifications, played in two games between April 11 and 17 this year.  The return match is played in Croatia.

Six European national teams have already won their place at the World Championships. These are hosts Sweden and Poland, Denmark as world champions, and France, Spain, and Norway.

"We can be happy with the draw. Ukraine is a slight favorite in the match against Finland. We saw them at this European Championship. They showed several young, very talented players. They will certainly include three to four of the best who were not at the Euros. Most have experience playing in the Champions League. Finland is somehow the weakest of the Scandinavian countries, but it is certainly not to be underestimated. But if Croatia is right, and we have no reason to doubt it, we should move on without major problems. Especially before we play the return match at home," said coach Hrvoje Horvat. 

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

January 27, 2022 - After finishing 8th place at the EHF Euro 2022, the Croatia men's handball team will play the 2023 World Handball Championship qualifiers this April. 

The Croatia men's handball team ended their performance in the last round of the EHF Euro 2022 main round with a draw against the Netherlands.

After last year’s World Championship in Egypt and missing out on the Olympics, this is another handball competition to forget. The Cowboys finished in eighth place.

While the coronavirus disrupted coach Hrvoje Horvat's plans, we were fortunate to witness new handball talent, with players like Tin Ličin, who was not originally part of the team. 

So, what's next? 

There will be a new World Championship organized jointly by Sweden and Poland in a year. These two national teams, as well as the current champion Denmark, have a spot already secured. Europe will add at least 12 more national teams, three of which will qualify directly as the best at the current Euros, while nine national teams will play in the qualifiers.

As Denmark and Sweden reached the semifinals, the European Championship fifth-place leads directly to the World Championship. Spain also won a spot because they reached the semifinals.

Croatia will thus have to qualify for the World Championship, for which a draw will be held already on Saturday. After that, they will be included in the second round, which will be played in two matches between April 11 and 17 this year. Their opponents will be some of the national teams that will play the first round between March 14 and 20.

Slovenia, Portugal, North Macedonia, Slovakia, BiH, and other possible opponents are not harmless rivals, so Croatia hopes for a good draw. 

Who coach Horvat will choose to join the national team then remains to be seen.

First round:

Seeded teams: Austria, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lithuania, Northern Macedonia, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine

Unseeded: Belgium, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, Israel, Greece, Italy, Romania, Switzerland

Second round:

Seeded: Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Serbia, Germany, Russia, Montenegro, Netherlands

Unseeded: nine first-round winners

Source: Gol.hr

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January 23, 2022 - Losing to Denmark on Saturday night in Budapest came with even more consequences outside of the Euros - Croatia will likely have to play in the 2023 World Handball Championship qualifiers this spring. 

Not only did losing to Denmark in Budapest eliminate the last theoretical possibility for Croatia to reach the European Handball Championship semifinals, but it almost certainly left Croatia without a direct spot in the next big competition - the World Championships, to be played in Poland and Sweden in January 2023, reports Gol.hr.

In addition to the hosts Poland and Sweden and the current world champion Denmark, Europe will grant at least 12 national teams the chance to participate in the World Champs, three of which will qualify directly as the best at the current Euro held in Hungary and Slovakia, while nine will play in the qualifiers.

Thus, the three best national teams in this European Championship besides Denmark, Poland, and Sweden will qualify for the World Champs, which means that, in case Denmark and Sweden reach the Euro semifinals, then the fifth place will lead to a spot at the World Champs. The national teams that are third in the groups of the second round will play for fifth place, for which Croatia, which is currently at zero points, has a very small chance. 

Even if Hrvoje Horvat's team wins against Iceland and the Netherlands, many other factors would have to coincide again for Croatia to finish third in this group, on Friday, January 28, play the game for fifth place, and only then, if Denmark and Sweden are in semifinals, win direct placement at the World Champs.

A far more realistic scenario is that this will not happen and that Croatia will have to play qualifiers. They will be included in the second round, for which the draw will be held this weekend in Budapest, at the end of the Euro. It is played in two games between April 11 and 17 this year, and the opponent will be some of the national teams that will play the first round between March 14 and 20.

2023 Handball World Cup Qualifiers:
First round:

Seeded teams: Austria, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lithuania, Northern Macedonia, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine

Unseeded: Belgium, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, Israel, Greece, Italy, Romania, Switzerland

Second round:

Seeded: Czech Republic, Hungary, Serbia + six national teams from the European Championship (potentially Croatia)

Unseeded: nine first-round winners

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page.