March 6, 2022 - France was better than the Croatia women's handball team for the second time this week, winning 27-19 in Toulouse on Sunday in the 4th round of the EHF Euro 2022 qualifiers. 

The Croatia women's handball team lost to France in the 4th round match of the EHF Euro 2022 4th qualification group in Toulouse 19-27 (9-13).

Two days ago in Koprivnica, France was better than Croatia, winning 21-19, though Croatia put up a great fight. Croatia offered good resistance to the Olympic champion in the return match as well, which they played without coach Nenad Šoštarić, who is sick with an intestinal virus. Šoštarić was thus replaced on the bench by Snježana Petika. 

At the end of the first half, Croatia played well, holding the 9-9 draw. France then scored four goals in a row and went into halftime with a significant advantage. In the second half, Croatia did not manage to bring the result much closer. 

Dejana Milosavljević was the best for Croatia with four goals, while Kristina Prkačin, Ana Debelić, and Andrea Šimara scored three goals each. France's Grace Zaadi was the most efficient with four goals. Croatia's goalkeeper Ivana Kapitanović recorded 9 saves.

This was Croatia's 58th match in the history of European qualifiers. So far, until this match, Croatia counted 38 wins, 2 draws, and 17 defeats. France, on the other hand, had played 55 matches, with 39 wins, 4 draws, and 12 defeats. Recall, in the last two years, France has also won the Olympic gold, world, and European silver.

France leads Group 4 of the EHF EURO 2022 qualifications with a maximum of six points, Croatia has two points, as well as Ukraine, while the Czech Republic is without points. Two duels between Ukraine and the Czech Republic have been postponed due to the war in Ukraine.

The EHF EURO 2022 will be jointly organized by Slovenia, Montenegro, and North Macedonia. 

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March 4, 2022 - The Croatia women's handball team lost to France (19:21) in the 3rd round match of Group 4 in the EHF EURO 2022 qualifiers on Thursday. 

It was an exciting match in which Croatia did not give up even when they were far behind. However, in the end, Croatia missed two seven-meter throws.

Numerous injuries in the Croatia national team significantly changed the starting lineup compared to the World Champs. Coach Nenad Šoštarić, therefore, started with Ivana Kapitanović in goal, Andrea Šimara and Ana Turk on the wings, Ana Debelić as the pivot, and Valentina Blažević, Dora Krsnik, and Dejana Milosavljević in the outside positions. 

Unusual nervousness plagued both teams at the start. France missed four attacks (with two saves by Croatia's goalkeeper), and Croatia three. The first goal was scored at the beginning of the fifth minute by Andrea Šimara. On the other hand, France reached their first goal in the sixth minute. After that, they scored two more and held their advantage. Croatia played great defense, especially Ana Debelić and Kristina Prkačin, who held the middle.

Olivier Krumbholz was not overly pleased with his team's game and constantly rotated players for the ideal lineup to handle Croatia's defense. However, Croatia struggled in the attack but did not give up. In the 20th minute, it was 7:7.

France then scored two goals in a row for 7:9 in the 23rd minute. After that, Croatia could equalize from two seven-meter throws but missed both. Just 90 seconds before halftime, France went up by three goals for the first time - 8:11. With another goal in the last seconds before halftime, the result was 8:12. 

France opened the second half better. In five minutes, they scored three goals, and Croatia only one, making it +6 - 9:15. Croatia, however, showed character again. With three goals in a row in the 40th minute, they managed to halve the advantage of the Olympic winners and reach 13:16. Five minutes later, they were even closer, at minus two - 16:18. 

At 17:19, Croatia had two attacks to equalize, but France instead scored for 17:20 with seven minutes to go. 

Nevertheless, Croatia rose again. Josipa Mamić's goal just 90 seconds before the end put Croatia behind by only one goal - 19:20. However, France quickly responded on the other side for the final 19:21.

Valentina Blažević scored four goals and Dejana Milosavljević three. 

The return match will be played on Sunday at 17:30 in Toulouse.

Source: HRS

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December 10, 2021 - The Croatia women's handball team lost to Spain 23:27 (9:12) in the decisive match which would only lead them to the quarterfinals with a victory. Croatia will play against Austria on Sunday, though the match carries no weight. 

When the PCR test results arrived an hour and 15 minutes before the game, the Croatia coach received the final confirmation that he had all the players available, except those who have been in isolation due to the coronavirus, including Mićijević, Dežić and Krsnik.

Ana Debelić scored the first goal of the match in the third minute. Croatia took the lead with a goal by Blažević for 3:2, but Carmen Martin equalized to 3:3, and brought the first lead to Spain in the ninth minute from the counter (3:4).

Blažević was accurate for 5:5 from a penalty in the 12th minute, but Spain took a 5:9 lead in the 18th minute. 

Blažević reduced the score to 6:9 from another seven-meter throw in the 20th minute, Fernandez brought Spain to +4 in the 24th minute, and a minute later Debelić scored from the counter for 7:10.

Blažević scored a penalty for 9:11 and Croatia attacked from only one goal behind, but Fernandez brought Spain to 9:12, which was the final result of the first half.

The second half started with a Spain goal for 9:13, and in the 34th minute, Spain was up 10:15. Two goals by Larissa Kalaus followed, and in the 38th minute, Carmen Martin scored from the penalty spot for 12:17 and forced Šoštarić to take a timeout. 

Blažević scored for 14:17 and Croatia came back to 2 goals behind. Carmen Martin brought Spain back to 14:18 and in the 43rd minute, Blažević's shot landed on the crossbar. It was then 15:19 for Spain. 

It was 17:21 in the 46th minute, but in the 47th minute, Spain went up +5 (17:22) and then +6 ( 17:23). Kalaus was excluded in the 54th minute and Campos scored from the penalty spot for 19:25. 

Croatia then lost hope, and in the 55th minute, Gassama scored for 19:26. It was soon 19:27 for Spain. Šoštarić then called a new timeout, after which Croatia scored four goals in a row for the final 23:27. Croatia at least mitigated the defeat but was left without a spot in the quarterfinals.

Valentina Blažević (7) and Ana Debelić (4) were the best for Croatia, and Barbosa (6) led Spain. 

Source: HRT

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December 4, 2021 - Croatia women's handball crush Paraguay in the second round of the 2021 World Championship in Spain, securing their first victory of the competition and a chance at moving to the second round. 

The Croatia women's handball team recorded a convincing victory in the 2nd round of the 2021 World Championship in Spain.

After losing to Brazil at the opening of the World Championship, Nenad Šoštarić's team beat Paraguay 38:16 (15:5) in the second round of Group G.

With an easy victory against Paraguay, Croatia practically secured the second round, in which three national teams from each group will be placed. The win is also important to improve the team's morale after the initial defeat against Brazil. 

Despite the great victory, one of the greatest ever for Croatian women's handball, the match didn't start so well. Paraguay led 3:2 in the fifth minute. However, Croatia came back with a 10:0 series and kept their advantage until the end of the match. 

Ana Turk and Valentina Blažević scored the most in Croatia, six goals each.

Japan beat Paraguay beat in the first match 40:17. The World Championship in Spain is Paraguay's fourth in history. So far, they have been to France in 2007, Serbia in 2013, and Germany in 2017. They were 23rd in the first, 21st in the last two. In 21 matches so far, they have achieved four victories (2007: Australia 16:14, 2013: Algeria 29:19, 2017: Argentina 28:25, China 23: 21), one draw (2013: Australia 18:18), and suffered 16 defeats. The hardest was against Norway at the 2007 World Cup in France of 50:12, or minus 38 goals.

CROATIA - PARAGUAY 38:16 (15: 5)

CROATIA: Bešen, Kapitanović, Pijević; P. Posavec 1, Krsnik, S. Posavec 4, Mičijević 1, L. Kalaus, Ježić 4, Burić, Šimara 2, Dežić 5, Debelić 5, Turk 6, Mamić 4, Blažević 6.

PARAGUAY: Acosta, Fleitas, Gimenez, Acuna 5, Dos Santos, Faria 1, Fiore 1, Fernandez 3, Gonzalez 1, Leiva 1, Insfran 3, Miskinich, Rolon 2.

EXCLUSIONS: Croatia 10 minutes, Paraguay 14 minutes
PENALTIES: Croatia 6/6, Paraguay 3/7

In the last match of the group, the "Queens of Shock" will face Japan on December 6. 

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

Source: HRT

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

November 28, 2021 - The 'Queens of Shock' are back in action this winter, completing their final preparations for the World Women's Handball Championship in Spain this December by winning 29-21 in a friendly match against Slovenia on Saturday in Poreč. 

The Croatia women's handball team defeated Slovenia with a convincing 29-21 (15-10) in the last preparatory match on Saturday at Žatika hall in Poreč, before the team heads to the IH World Women's Handball Championship in Spain. 

Nenad Šoštarić's team played well and held their own until the end of the game when they had less time to relax. Overall, they were solid in defense. This resulted in a constant increase in their advantage throughout the match.

It was already 6-2 in the 11th minute after Croatia had a 4-0 series, and at halftime, Slovenia was five goals behind (15-10).

Croatia was up +7 (17-10) in the 34th minute, and Slovenia managed to stay five goals behind (20-15) until the 44th minute. The "queens of shock" scored seven in the next eight minutes and received only two goals. In the 52nd minute, they were up +10 (27-17).

In the end, Slovenia managed to mitigate the defeat slightly (29-21).

Paula Posavec, Ćamila Mičijević, and Ana Turk scored four goals each for the Croatia national team, and Katarina Ježić, Lara Burić, and Ivana Dežić shook the net three times each.

Former Podravka player Tjaša Stanko led Slovenia, who was the most efficient in the game with eight goals.

"Today, they played one nice game. Most of the shortcomings, which we noticed in the first game and through joint training, we corrected. Each player gave a damn, and it was nice to watch," said coach Nenad Šoštarić, who is waiting on the leaders of the Croatian Handball Federation to decide on the number of players who will travel to Spain so he can define his list.

They may lead all 18 players who took part in the final preparations, but they may have to leave two handball players in Croatia if the HRS leadership decides that an expedition of 16 of them will go to Spain.

Croatia will open its appearance at the World Champs against Brazil, scheduled for Thursday, December 2, in Ciutat de Castell, starting at 6 pm. Two days later, Croatia will play against Paraguay (18:00) and on December 6 against Japan (20:30).

The best three national teams will continue the competition in the second phase, in which they will be merged with the group in which Spain, Austria, Argentina, and China will play. The two best national teams from the second phase will qualify for the quarterfinals.

Source: HRT

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ZAGREB, Dec 21, 2020 - After being welcomed at Zagreb airport, the bronze medallist national women's handball team was received at the National and University Library by President Zoran Milanovic, Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandrokovic, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, and Tourism and Sports Minister Nikolina Brnjac.

Milanovic underscored that the handball team played intelligently. "If I were to compare that to Greek mythology, you would be something between Odysseus and Achilles. Neither the strongest nor the biggest but the best. You had against you Cyclopses who underestimated you. I noticed that that bothered you a lot. Considering I know the Danes, that doesn't surprise me. They are combative and think that weight and size can outwit intelligence and dexterity," said Milanovic.

"Thank you for the joy of the game because sport is first and foremost a game, a love, a passion and only then a state and a nation," he added.

Jandrokovic said that the team brought some joy in these difficult times. "Your victory and success are all the greater because we didn't expect them and there is nothing better in sport then when you are underestimated and arrive as an outsider and then achieve such a great result," he underscored.

Plenkovic said that he followed their games with great pride.

"You have made all of Croatia proud. Thank you for a beautiful sport story. I am truly happy that the women's national team has joined the success of men's handball. Thank you once again and sincere congratulations," said Plenkovic.

Minister Brnjac congratulated the team for this historic medal. "You have confirmed that athletes are our best and greatest ambassadors. This medal has brought us optimism and hope in these times," said Brnjac, congratulating coach Nenad Sostaric and his associates.

Croatia won the bronze medal at the European Women's Handball Championship in Denmark on Sunday after beating the hosts 25-19.

This is the first medal for the Croatian national women's handball team in major competitions.

Croatia has not competed in world women's handball championships since 2011.

December 18, 2020 - The Croatia women's handball team met the current European champion France in the semi-final of the 2020 European Championships in Herning, Denmark on Friday evening. 

By entering the semi-final, Croatia achieved the best result in the history of Croatian women's handball, and thus secured a place in next year's World Cup, where Croatia has not played since 2011.

Croatia traveled to Denmark as complete underdogs, building great form from game to game. On Tuesday, they played a fantastic match against Germany and advanced to the semi-final with a 23:20 victory.

Unfortunately, mighty France was too powerful for Croatia tonight.

France v. Croatia Recap

Croatia opened the game with a goal by Kalaus in the first minute of play. France equalized moments later for 1:1. Debelic made it 1:2 for Croatia in the 3rd.

Stellar saves by Pijevic in the 6th and 7th minute kept the score at 2:2. Micijevic scored for the Croatia lead in the 8th minute - 2:3.

France took the lead for the first time in the 10th minute - 4:3, and scored again for 5:3. France was up by three goals in the 12th minute and four in the 14th. 

At this point, Croatia hadn't scored a goal for seven minutes. 

By the 17th minute, it was 10:3 for France. By the 18th minute, Croatia hadn't scored for over 10 minutes. Croatia finally scored for 11:4

Croatia hit the post twice in the minutes that followed. France called a team timeout. 

Vidak finally scored to slightly reduce France's lead to 13:5, but France scored again in the 28th for 14:5. The match ended at 15:5 at half. 

Croatia defended France's first attack of the second half and Simara scored for 15:6, bringing Croatia 9 goals behind France. Valentina Blazevic made it -8 in the 32nd minute (15:7). A Krsnik penalty made it 16:8 in the 34th.

Pijevic saved France's next attack, and Jezic scored for -7 - 16:9. Blazevic scored for 17:10, and Micijevic for 18:11. Croatia was still behind by 7 goals. 

Croatia was behind by 8 goals in the 43rd minute - 21:13. In the 46th minute, it was 23:13 for France.

With 10 minutes to go, Croatia was behind by 11 goals - 25:14. With five minutes to go, France was up 27:17.

With a minute to go, it was 30:18 for France. With 10 seconds to go, Croatia scored a penalty for 30:19, which was the final score of the match. 

Denmark and Norway will play the second semi-final tonight at 20:30.

Croatia will play in the match for 3rd place on Sunday at 15:30.

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

December 11,  2020 - In the second match of the second round, Croatia struggles against favorite Norway (25:36).

The Croatia women's handball team met the biggest favorite of the tournament, Norway, in the second match of the second round on Saturday in Kolding, Denmark. 

On Thursday, the Croatia women's handball team achieved its fourth victory in its fourth appearance at the European Championships. Recall, in the 1st round match of Group II, Croatia defeated Romania 25:20, while Norway recorded a convincing victory against the Netherlands (32:25).

Up until the match against Croatia, Norway scored 137 goals and conceded 90 in four matches. With these stats, they are the best team in the European Championship. Norway is the weakest from nine meters (13/33, 39%) and the best on counters (31/43, 72%). 

Croatia and Norway started the match even -  and it was 3:3 in the 4th minute. Norway took the lead in the next minute, and by the 10th minute, they were up by two (6:8). Croatia was consistently behind by two goals for most of the first half, and by the 29th minute, neither team had scored for more than 6 minutes! 

Croatia went into halftime behind by one goal (14:15). 

The second half started with an immediate goal for Croatia to equalize at 15:15. 

There was a bit of back and forth in the minutes that followed, which saw Norway attain a three-goal advantage at 21:18 in the 37th minute. By the 39th, Croatia was behind by 4 - and by the 41st, behind by 5. In the 45th minute, Croatia was down 20:27. 

Norway's momentum could not be stopped - and they were up by 10 goals in the 48th minute. Croatia was struggling to hold on. 

With two minutes to go, it was 24:34, and the match ended at 25:36 for Norway.

A win against Norway would have secured Croatia a spot in the semifinals. However, even with a defeat, Croatia has a good chance of passing among the four best national teams in Europe. Only Germany can shake up Croatia's plans.

Croatia will play against Germany in the last round on Tuesday at 18:15. Germany beat Hungary 32:25 earlier today and now has four points.

Read more about Croatia handball on HRS.

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

December 8, 2020 - The Croatia women's handball team topped Serbia in the third round of the European Championships in Denmark, thus finishing at the top of Group C!

The Croatia women's handball team played the last game of the first round of the European Championships in Kolding, Denmark tonight. Before this match, Croatia had played Serbia three times so far, recording two victories and one defeat.

Nenad Šoštarić's team already recorded two sensational victories against Hungary and the world champions the Netherlands in the first two rounds. They already secured their spot in the second round before they met Serbia. With this victory, Croatia moves onto the second round with a maximum of four points!

Dora Krsnik was the top scorer for the Croatia national team with six goals. Ćamila Mičijević scored five goals, Larissa Kalaus scored four, and Josipa Mamić scored three times. Tea Pijevic had seven saves.

Three national teams from each of the four groups go to the second round of the competition, where two groups with six teams will be formed. Croatia crosses with Group D, in which Norway has already qualified for the second round, and Romania, Germany and Poland are fighting for the remaining two places.

In the last game of Group C, the Netherlands will look for a victory against Hungary to qualify for the second round, and a draw is enough for Hungary to qualify, which would lead Serbia along.

More soon...

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December 6, 2020 - More great news from the 2020 Women's European Handball Championships in Denmark, as Croatia surprises the Netherlands 27:25!

The Croatia women's handball team surprised us yet again at the European Championships in Denmark. In the 2nd round match, Croatia defeated the world champions, the Netherlands, 27:25.

After defeating favorite Hungary in the first round, this is another excellent result for Croatian handball. 

In the first half, Nenad Šoštarić's team had a three-goal advantage three times (4:1, 9:6, 11:8), but the Netherlands left at halftime with a minimal advantage (14:13). In the second half, both teams took turns in the lead, and Croatia gained a two-goal advantage in the last minutes.

Thus, the national team that no one believed in before the tournament showed incredible perspective and talent and proved that they can play against any national team in the world.

With this victory, Croatia has secured the second round in which the three best teams from each group advance, and on Monday at 18:15 in Kolding, they will play against Serbia for first place in the group.

The Netherlands, the current world champion, a team that has won five medals and one fourth place in the last six major world competitions (Olympic Games, World and European Championships), was the absolute favorite ahead of this match.

More soon..

Source: Index.hr

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