January 17, 2019 - The Croatia handball team met Spain for the decisive game of Group B on Thursday evening, which ultimately decided the winner of their group. 

January 16, 2019 - After three wins in the World Handball Championship against Iceland, Japan and Macedonia, the Croatia handball team met Bahrain in their fourth game of Group B on Wednesday.

The least crucial game for Croatia in the tournament so far, Lino Červar decided to rest some of the team’s best players before they meet Spain on Thursday. 

Croatia was the first to score with a goal by Kozina for 1:0 in the first minute. Bičanić made it 2:0 in the third. 

All fans welcomed the return of Luka Cindrić in today’s meeting, who was rested for two games - and he scored for 3:1 Croatia in the 5th minute. 

With the help of Štrlek and Vida, Croatia was up 7:3 in the 10th, giving them their most significant advantage yet. And they continued with strength, to be up five goals in the 14th minute. 

Manuel Štrlek scored his fourth goal in the 21st minute for 13:6, and it was clear that this game would be a walk in the park for the Croatian side. 

With five minutes to go, Croatia was up by 8, and the first half ended 19:9. 

Croatia started the second half strong, and Damir Bičanić scored for Croatia in the first attack. Štrlek scored his fifth goal in the 32nd minute, Mandić scored his first in the game in the 34th, and in the 39th minute, Croatia was up by 9 in the 40th (23:14). By the 45th minute, it was 25:14 for Croatia.

In the 52nd minute, Štrlek scored his 10th goal of the game, and it was 28:18 for Croatia. 

A brilliant Croatia ended the game with a final result of 32:20, and Manuel Štrlek was named the player of the game. 

Croatia will play Spain for the biggest game of Group B on Thursday at 8:30 pm. 

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

January 14, 2019 - The Croatia handball team met Macedonia in the World Championship on Monday. 

The Croatia handball team met Japan in their second game of Group B at the World Championship in Munich, reports Gol.hr on January 13, 2019. 

After the Croatia men’s handball team opened the 2019 World Handball Championship with a major victory against Iceland, they faced Japan at 16:30 on Sunday. 

Croatia entered the game as the favorite over Japan, and it wasn’t hard to see why. Already by the 5th minute, Croatia was up 3:1, though Šego did have to make some good saves in goal. 

It was Vranković and Štrlek to break Japan for 6:1 in the 8th minute and Duvnjak lobbed one across the entire court for 7:1. 

Japan finally got their second goal in the 13th minute and continued with a series of goals for 10:6 in the 15th. 

With Šego’s excellent goalkeeping, Japan really wasn’t able to do much - Horvat scored for 13:7 and Karačić scored for 14:7. Japan, however, was finally able to come back to -5. 

Bičanić and Karačić scored for 18:12 in the 30th minute, and at the half, the score was 18:13 for Croatia. 

Croatia continued strong in the second half, and by the 40th minute, Croatia was up by 10 - and better yet, with the help of Mandić, Croatia was up by 11 in the 49th minute. 

Croatia did not fail to keep the big advantage in the remaining 10 minutes and ended the game with a final result of 35:27. Croatia has thus secured their second win in Group B of the World Championship. Zlatko Horvat was named the player of the match. 

Croatia will play Macedonia on Monday, January 14th, for their third game of Group B, followed by Bahrain on the 16th and Spain to finish off the group on January 17th.

Bravo, Croatia!

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

The Croatia handball team met Iceland on Friday evening for their first game of the World Championship in Munich. 

As most of you are aware, Croatia handball kicks off their World Championship campaign on Friday night at 6 pm against Iceland. In honor of the tournament, we thought we’d take a look at Croatia’s handball history at the World Championship to date. 

Coach Lino Červar has announced a list of 18 players who will lead Croatia handball at the World Championship in Germany and Denmark. 

From January 10 to 27, 2019, the Handball World Championship will take place in Germany and Denmark, where Croatia handball will compete against Iceland, Japan, Macedonia, Bahrain, and Spain.

After defeating Montenegro 34:22 on Friday, Croatia overcame Italy in their second match of the HEP Croatia Cup 28:20.

In the HEP Croatia Cup held in Poreč, which is also being played as the final stage of preparations for the World Cup, the Croatia handball team crushed Montenegro in their tournament-opening 34:22, reports Index.hr on January 4, 2019. 

Though Croatia struggled in the first half, at the beginning of the second, the hosts created a massive advantage and broke Montenegro to the point of no return. Particularly brilliant were the players who came off the bench  - goalkeeper Stevanović and the young wingers Halil Jaganjac and David Mandić, who shined for Croatia. 

Croatia’s better showing in the second half featured a +10 advantage (20:10), though the team secured a +12 point advantage for the final score of 32:22. Croatia coach Lino Červar gave the opportunity to almost all 19 players in the lineup, apart from goalkeeper Filip Ivić. 

Manuel Štrlek was the most efficient for Croatia with six goals, and David Mandić followed with five, while Zlatko Horvat, Halil Jaganjac and Luka Cindrić each added three goals. Ivan Stevanović collected six saves in goal, and Marin Šego achieved five.

Montenegro’s Miloš Vujović gave Croatia the most problems, as he led the visitors with seven goals, while Stefan Čavor and Nemanja Grbović scored four goals each.

“Our legs were a bit heavy. We made some mistakes that we need to correct, especially in the first half. For the rest of the game, we played more solid in the defense and were far more mobile. Against Iceland we have to play much better,” said Červar after the game. 

In the first match of this tournament, Montenegro played Italy on Thursday and won 32:24. The last duel of the Cup is scheduled for Saturday when Croatia and Italy will meet in Žatika hall. 

Croatia's first game at the World Cup is scheduled for Friday, January 11 in Munich against Iceland. The following day the team will rest, and then face Japan (January 13), Macedonia (January 14) and Bahrain (January 16). Croatia’s last match in Group B will be against Spain on January 17. 

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