February 21, 2022 - On Sunday night, most of the Croatia men's senior basketball team gathered in Zagreb ahead of the 2nd round of 2023 World Cup qualifications. 

On Friday, February 25, at 18:30, the Croatia national team will begin the second qualifying round for the 2023 World Cup, played in Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines, with a match against Sweden. It will be the official debut of coach Damir Mulaomerović, who gathered most of the national team on Sunday, just one day after the Krešimir Ćosić Cup final, but also Cup matches across Europe.

"The situation is not great, but I'm glad to see you guys," said the honest coach and continued:

"Tomorrow, we will complete the evening training. The most important thing is to mobilize in this short time. The guys are all in the training process of their clubs, and all are in good shape. I hope for that in these practically three and a half training sessions, and for the rest, I don’t care. I know everyone will give 100%. We have a tough match ahead of us on Friday, both mentally and physically. My job is to prepare them mentally, and we will go physically to the maximum."

Marin Sušić/HKS

Thirteen national team members gathered in Zagreb on Sunday evening, and the arrival of Željko Šakić and Matej Rudan is expected on Monday. Only 12 national team players will play against Sweden. The list of 24 national team players can change for the match that will be played three days later in Norrkoping, Sweden. 

National team list for Zagreb preparations

Roko Badžim – Szolnoki
Danko Branković – KK Cibona
Filip Bundović – KK Cedevita Junor
Mateo Drežnjak – KK Cibona
Goran Filipović - KK Cedevita Junior
Lovro Gnjidić – KK Cibona
Filip Krušlin - Dinamo Sassari
Pavle Marčinković – KK Zadar
Karlo Matković - Mega Mozzart
Ivan Ramljak - Slask Wroclaw
Roko Rogić – Twarde Pierniki Torun
Matej Rudan – Mega Mozzart
Sven Smajlagić - Nevezis
Željko Šakić - Avtodor
Tomislav Zubčić - Tofaş S.K.

2023 World Cup qualifying matches, 2nd cycle
February 25, 2022, at 18:30 Croatia - Sweden (KC Dražen Petrović, Zagreb)
February 28, 2022, at 19:00 Sweden - Croatia (Norrkoping)
*Tickets for the home match against Sweden are on sale at ulaznice.hr and both matches will be broadcast live by SportKlub. 

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