August 22, 2019 - The first-ever Digital Quality of Life (DQL) research indexed 65 countries, covering a population of over 5.5 billion people. In the final index, Croatia ranked 38th.

In a press release, privacy company Surfshark introduced the Digital Quality of Life (DQL) study that highlights gaps between people's online experiences in various societies. The final DQL index compares countries by various digital factors such as the internet speed, country’s cybersecurity, the availability of e-government services and more. The country with the highest DQL index score in 2019 is Australia, followed by France and Singapore.

"Today, our lives are profoundly affected by our digital well-being as over half of the entire population is using the internet. We wanted to understand what matters most for people in the digital sphere and compare digital experiences around the world," says Goddy Ray, DQL research lead at Surfshark. "This is the first attempt to estimate the quality of our digital lives, which, we expect, will provide grounds for further discussions within the indexed countries."

One of the key global findings of the DQL study is that well-developed internet infrastructure does not necessarily guarantee high quality of digital life countries citizens as a composition of less tangible factors such as country’s cybersecurity or presence of personal data protection laws is essential to determine digital well-being.

The research concluded that none of the indexed countries crossed the threshold of 0.8000 (of 1.000), highlighting that there is room for improvement in various digital areas globally. The median value of DQL index is 0.6110.

The research team analyzed open-source data collected from the databases of the United Nations, the World Bank, Freedom House, the International Communications Union and other sources. The countries were ranked combining factors such as internet connection speed, affordability, cybersecurity, the availability of data protection laws, e-government services, and entertainment content availability.

The final 2019 Digital Quality of Life report, as well as an interactive country comparison tool, can be found here:https://surfshark.com/dql

Surfshark is an award-winning privacy protection suite developed to provide its users with an ability to control their online presence seamlessly. The core premise of Surfshark is to humanize online privacy protection and develop tools which protect user's privacy beyond the realm of a virtual private network. Surfshark is one of a very few VPNs which have been audited by independent security experts. A company developing Surfshark privacy protection software – Surfshark Ltd. – is registered in the British Virgin Islands as a part of a strict no-logs policy.

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

August 19, 2019 - Croatia national team coach Zlatko Dalic has called on 23 players to gather for September's appearances in Slovakia and Azerbaijan as part of the qualifications for the European Championship in 2020.

The 2018 World Cup finalists open the autumn qualifying round with two away appearances - on September 6 against Slovakia in Trnava, and on September 9 against Azerbaijan in Baku, announces HNS.

Coach Zlatko Dalic has called up 23 players, led by captain Luka Modrić, for the action, and Dinamo winger Mislav Oršić is among the names on the national team list for the first time. Dalic also selected a list of standby callups, including Andrej Kramarić, who will be called if he recovers from his current injury.

If needed, Dalić will also call on players in the young national team in agreement with coach Nenad Gračan.

Croatia gathers on September 2 in Zagreb, where they will train until the trip to Slovakia, which is scheduled for September 5.

Goalkeepers: Lovre Kalinić, Dominik Livaković, Simon Sluga

Defenders: Domagoj Vida, Dejan Lovren, Tin Jedvaj, Matej Mitrović, Borna Barišić, Karlo Bartolec, Mile Škorić, Dario Melnjak

Midfielders: Luka Modrić, Ivan Rakitić, Mateo Kovačić, Milan Badelj, Marcelo Brozović, Mario Pašalić, Nikola Vlašić

Attackers: Ivan Perišić, Ante Rebić, Josip Brekalo, Bruno Petković, Mislav Oršić

Standby: Andrej Kramarić, Marko Rog, Filip Benković, Mijo Caktaš, Josip Juranović, Antonio Mirko Čolak

Summer break is ending and the Vatreni ? are getting back on the pitch in 3...2...1...

⬇ Croatia ?? squad list for the @EuroQualifiers matches against Slovakia ?? and Azerbaijan ??#BeProud #Family pic.twitter.com/poC7h6McgT

— HNS (@HNS_CFF) August 19, 2019

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

August 8, 2019 - On this day in 1992, Croatia met the USA 'Dream Team' in the gold medal game of the Olympic in Barcelona. 

There are a handful of games that, some justified, some farfetched, have been declared historic in Croatian sport for more than a quarter of a century. One game which has no debate was the one for the gold medal at the 1992 Olympics when Croatia and the United States met in the final round. It happened on this day, August 8, in the hall of the Palau Municipal d'Esports de Badalona, reports Gol.hr on August 8, 2018.

On the one hand, the American ‘Dream Team’, without any dilemma, presented the best basketball team of all time, led by Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, David Robinson, John Stockton, Scottie Pippen, Chris Mullin, Karl Malone, Clyde Drexler and Christian Laettner. 

And on the other, Croatia featured Dražen Petrović, Toni Kukoć, Dino Rađa, Velimir Perasović, Danko Cvjetičanin, Vladan Alanović, Žan Tabak, Stojko Vranković, Alan Gregov, Petar Muslim, Arijan Komazec and Aramis Naglić, led by coach Petar Skansi. 

At a time when the Croatian Homeland War was in progress and much of the country was under occupation, Croatian athletes were its best ambassadors. Recall, Goran Ivanišević had just won the first Croatian Olympic medal at the '92 Games (bronze in the singles competition and bronze in the doubles with Goran Prpić), which helped to put Croatia on the map. Thus, Croatia’s final match against the USA would be watched by the whole world.

Jordan, Magic & Co. were ruthless throughout the entire tournament, not allowing any national team to lead against them at any point. The pattern was always the same - the USA would rip through you like a hurricane from the beginning, creating an unreachable difference. Then, in the second half, the best would sit on the bench so that the minutes would be distributed to the other players. 

However, a fearless Croatia achieved what otherwise seemed unimaginable - and in the middle of the first half, Croatia took the lead! Kukoč gave the ball to Franjo Arapović, who scored for the 25:24 Croatia lead. 

Croatia lost the gold medal game 85:117, though it was a moment that will forever remain recorded in the almanacs of Croatian basketball. If for nothing else, then as a reminder of the level Croatian basketball used to be.

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

August 4, 2019 - The latest news from around Croatia’s airports for new flights to Croatia with updates from Dubrovnik, Split and Pula. 

All Nippon Airways (ANA), known as Japan’s largest airline, comes back to Dubrovnik this summer with charter services from Tokyo and Osaka, reports Ex Yu Aviation.

The charters, which are operated by Japan’s largest tour operator, will run from Dubrovnik to Tokyo on September 7 and Osaka on September 21. Flights will depart at 20.30 and 20.55. ANA will operate this service using a Boeing 787-9 aircraft with a capacity of up to 395 passengers. 

Recall, Croatia and Japan are looking to launch non-stop flights in the future. 

"Discussions between the aeronautical authorities of Japan and the Republic of Croatia are continuing. A tentative framework has been reached until the conclusion of an Air Services Agreement between the two countries. Considering the possibility and forecasts, there is sufficient air traffic demand for scheduled air services between Japan and the Republic of Croatia in the future,” the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said after the first round of negotiations were last in November 2018. 

In other flight news, Avio Radar reports that Irish national carrier Aer Lingus has announced its 2020 flight schedule, which neither boosts nor decreases operations to Croatia. Even though their low-cost competition Ryanair launched two new routes this year from Dublin to Dubrovnik and Split, bringing four new flights a week on both routes, Aer Lingus has maintained the same number of flights. 

Namely, Aer Lingus will operate the same schedule as this year, with two flights on the Dubrovnik-Cork line, daily on the Dubrovnik-Dublin line and four times a week on the Pula-Dublin route. The Dubrovnik-Dublin route will begin operating two weeks earlier than this year, on April 3, 2020. 

The Irish airline will maintain four flights a week on the Dublin-Split route, though the flight days will change. Thus, since both airlines operated this route four times a week on the same days this year (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays), Aer Lingus will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays in 2020 instead. Ryanair’s 2020 summer flight schedule is still unknown. 

Tickets are currently on sale until June 2020, so the end of the summer flight schedule is presently unknown. The Airbus A320 will fly on all lines.

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

The Under-21 Croatia handball team is in the final of the Men's Junior World Handball Championship! 

In Pontevedra, Spain on Saturday, Croatia topped Portugal 31:28 (12:9) and advanced to their first-ever final against France, to be held on Sunday at 4:30 pm, reports Gol.hr on July 27, 2019.

Croatia remain undefeated and are heading to their first-ever final of a Junior World Championship after a 31:28 victory over Portugal ?#Spain2019 #handtastic pic.twitter.com/zslk4SFtOr

— IHF (@ihf_info) July 27, 2019

Portugal was Croatia’s most dangerous rival at this tournament, though Croatia led by four and five goals on two occasions during the game. Portugal finally woke up and played much stronger in the second half.

Between the 47th and 52nd minute, Croatia went from a goal behind (20:21) to up by three goals (25:22). It was a tense match until the very end, when Croatia found that extra energy, focus, and motivation to finally lead by 4 for the 31:28 victory. 

While many worried it would be the end of Croatia’s perfect showing in Spain, Croatia can thank Sarač, Martinović and Mileta, as well as their brilliant defense, for turning the game to their advantage.

Martinović was named the best player of the match with eight goals scored, while Mileta scored seven goals and Sarač six goas. Diogo Silva was unstoppable for Portugal with nine goals, while Fernandes had six on the wings.

Croatia will play in the final against France, who defeated Egypt on Saturday 35:33. Croatia and France will meet on Sunday at 16.30.

This is the first World Championship final for the young Croatian side. So far, they have played twice in the semi-final and lost the next two matches to win 4th place.

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

July 27, 2019 - The Croatia water polo team has clinched the bronze medal at the FINA World Championships! In a rematch of the final of two years ago, Croatia topped Hungary10:7 to secure yet another medal in a major competition. 

The Croatia water polo team celebrated in the bronze medal match 10:7 (2-1, 2-2, 2-2, 4-2) against Hungary on Saturday. Thus, this is the seventh tournament in a row that Croatia has celebrated with a medal, achieving a new record, reports Gol.hr.

Maro Joković was brilliant with six goals for Croatia, while Luka Lončar, Lovro Miloš, Anđelo Šetka and Hrvoje Benić scored one goal. Krizstian Manhercz and Balazs Harai scored twice for Hungary, while Daniel Angyal, Gergo Zalanki and Marton Vamos each scored one.

Recall, Croatia lost to Spain in the semi-final 6:5 in a poor display on Thursday. In the. FINA World Championships this year in Gwangju, South Korea,  Croatia defeated Australia, the United States, and Kazakhstan in the group stage and Germany in the quarter-final. 

Croatia has thus increased their medal count to seven at the World Championships. The winning series started in Melbourne in 2007, where they won gold, followed by bronze in 2009 (Rome), 2011 (Shanghai) and 2013 (Barcelona), silver 2015 in Kazan and gold in 2017 in Budapest.

Finishing third, however, does not secure Croatia a spot in the Tokyo Olympics next year. Croatia will thus have to finish at the top of the European Championships next year in Hungary. Serbia, Spain, and Italy have already qualified for the 2020 Olympics. 

Spain and Italy will meet in the final. 

More soon...

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

July 25, 2019 - The Croatia water polo team met Spain for the crucial semi-final of the FINA World Championships in Gwangju, South Korea on Thursday. Croatia lost 6:5 in a poor display which saw them utilize only three opportunities out of the 13 when they had an extra man.

Not only would securing the final bring Croatia one step closer to defending the World Championship title from Budapest two years ago, but it would have placed them among the two best teams in the world - and guarantee their place at the Tokyo Olympics next year.

“We all know what is at stake in the game. We know who and what's standing in front of us, but we know exactly how we got here. Of course, step by step. Our first goals, from winning first place in the group to winning the quarter-final. Now we're slowly raising roles. I believe, I am convinced, and just like all the players who want to win, that we can do that. That we can overcome Spain because that is the only thing we are thinking about now,” said Ivica Tucak before the game. 

In the first three quarters, Croatia scored only two goals, mostly thanks to their indecision, but also thanks to the outstanding goalkeeper Lopez who defended absolutely everything, reports Gol.hr.

Maro Joković scored three goals for Croatia, while Xavi Garcia and Loren Fatovic scored one.

Before this semi-final, Croatia had already played Spain twice this year, both in the semi-finals, in different competitions, from the Europa Cup to the World League. Both times Croatia celebrated. However, as far as the World Championships, Croatian had played against Spain twice before today’s game, and the statistics were always in favor of their opponent, who was better in 1994 in Rome and in 2001 in Fukuoka.

Italy and Hungary play in the second semi-final. Croatia will play for the bronze on Saturday against the loser of that duel. 

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

The 2017 world champions in Budapest will play in the semi-final of the same competition held in Gwangju, South Korea this year! The Croatia water polo team topped Germany 10:8 (1-2, 3-1, 3-3, 3-2) in the quarterfinal for their fourth win of this tournament, reports Gol.hr on July 23, 2019.

Croatia's opponent in the semi-final will be Spain, who eliminated Serbia 12:9, leaving them with no chance of fighting fora medal. Serbia came to the championship without a few first-team standards, and already qualified for the Olympics next year in Tokyo after winning the World League in Belgrade last month. The Croatia water polo team will play Spain in the semis on Thursday at 10 am.

It was harder than expected for Croatia to reach the semi-final against Germany. After they dominated the excellent teams of Australia and the USA in the group stage, they anticipated yet another seamless win. But with a little relaxation and a determined Germany, Croatia’s spot in the semi-final was still uncertain.

In the first quarter Croatia struggled, and after four goals in a row (7:3), they allowed Germany to return to the match and equalize at 7: 7, thus giving one of the world’s weaker water polo teams a convincing shot at a victory. 

The experienced Maro Joković, who scored two quick goals in the last quarter, did not allow their dream to become a reality and gave Croatia hope that they would defend their gold medal from 2017. 

Along with Joković, two goals were scored by Bušlje and Vukičević, and Bijač was brilliant defending Croatia's goal. 

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

The Croatia water polo team won first place in Group B at the FINA World Championships in Gwangju, South Korea, with a maximum six points after defeating Kazakhstan 21-5 (6-1, 5-1, 5-1, 5-2).

The Croatia water polo team closed out the group stage of the FINA World Championships in Gwangju, South Korea on Friday against Kazakhstan. Having already secured first place in the group earlier this week, and with certainty that Croatia would easily overcome the Kazakhstan team, the game ended 21:5, reports Gol.hr on July 19, 2019. 

Recall, Croatia managed two convincing wins against Australia (14-4) and the USA (17-7) in the first and second round of games.

Croatia had a 6-0 advantage over Kazakhstan in the first seven minutes - and at the end of the fourth quarter, Croatia was up by 18 (21-3) before Kazakhstan scored two consecutive goals to reduce the defeat in the last moments. 

The most effective for Croatia was Maro Joković and Anđelo Šetka with three goals, while Loren Fatović, Andro Bušlje, Xavi Garcia, Ante Vukičević, Luka Lončar, Josip Vrlić, and Hrvoje Benić scored two, and Lovre Miloš scored one. Five of Kazakhstan's players scored one goal.

Croatia will play in the quarter-final on Tuesday at 8:30 am against the winner of the Germany-South Africa match, which is scheduled for Sunday at 11:30.

Second place in Group B went to the USA, who topped Australia in the 3rd round 12-11.

Croatia, Serbia, Italy, and Hungary are the only teams to directly place in the quarter-final of the tournament.

Only the two national teams that play in the final will qualify for the Olympic Games, and if one of them is Serbia, who have already qualified for the Olympics after winning the World League, then the third-placed team from the tournament in South Korea will travel to Tokyo.

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

In the second game of Group B of the FINA World Championships, the Croatia water polo team topped the United States 17:7 (4:1, 5:3, 4:2, 4:1), thus securing first place in the group and direct placement in the quarter-final, reports HRT on July 17, 2019.

This is the second win at the World Championships for Ivica Tucak’s squad after defeating the Australia national team in the first round (14:4). After overcoming the US early this morning, Croatia has thus secured a spot among the top eight national teams before the last match of the group stage, which will be played on Friday, July 19 at 1:30 pm Central European Time, which can also be watched on HRT 2 in Croatia. 

Croatia is looking to defend their World Championship title in South Korea this summer after winning the tournament two years ago in Budapest. Croatia is also fighting to qualify for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

The most effective for Croatia was Maro Joković, Josip Vrlić and Ante Vukičević, who each scored three goals, while Andro Bušlje, Luka Lončar, and Hrvoje Benić scored two. Croatia’s goalkeepers were brilliant - Marko Bijač collected 11 saves and Ivan Marcelić five.

In the first game of Group B, Australia overcame Kazakhstan 17:8. Thus,  the match between Australia and the US on Friday will decide who wins second place in Group B.

The first team in each of the four groups will directly place in the quarter-final, and the second and third teams from each group will play for a spot among the top eight.

The crossover matches are scheduled on July 21 and the quarter-final games on July 23. Only the two teams that play in the final will secure the Olympic Games next year, and if one of them is Serbia, who already qualified for the Olympics by winning the World League, then the third-placed team from World Championships will travel to Tokyo.

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