January 26, 2022 - Croatia ended their EHF Euro 2022 campaign with a draw against the Netherlands on Wednesday night. 

The last European Championship match for Croatia was against the Netherlands in the last round of Group I on Wednesday. Both teams lost their chance at the semifinal, so the match was not of importance - though it's always nice to say goodbye to the Euros with a win.

The Netherlands was left without several key players due to the coronavirus. Meanwhile, Croatia coach Hrvoje Horvat thanked Ivan Slišković, Šimo Ivić, and Vlado Matanović who went back to their clubs early. Today's Croatia lineup included Pešić, Pilipović, Čupić, Glavaš, Martinović, Maraš, Cindrić, Gadža, Lučin, Srna, Jelinić, Ćavar, Marić, Šipić, Načinović, and Gojun.

Recall, after losing to Denmark, Croatia lost all chances of reaching the semifinals. Despite winning against Iceland, Croatia was ultimately left without a chance to fight for third place in the group, which brings the match for fifth place, the last leading directly to the 2023 World Championships. Croatia will thus have to play World Championship qualifiers this spring. 

Recap

Sipic scored for 2:0 Croatia in the 2nd minute. The Netherlands scored for 2:1 going into the 3rd minute. Sipic made it 3:1 going into the 4th minute. 

Sipic scored his 4th goal of the match for 4:4 Croatia in the 6th minute. 

The Netherlands took the 5:4 lead in the 7th minute. Srna scored for 5:5 in the 10th minute. 

Sipic scored his 5th goal for 6:5 Croatia in the 12th minute. Cindric made it 7:6 a minute later. 

The Netherlands led 9:8 in the 17th minute. Cupic equalized for 9:9 in the 19th minute. The Netherlands led by 2 goals for the first time of the match in the 22nd minute - 11:9. 

Gadza scored for 11:10 in the 23rd minute. The Netherlands led 13:11 with 4 minutes to go. Martinovic scored for -1 Croatia in the 27th minute before the Netherlands made it 14:12 with two minutes to go. 

It was 15:13 for the Netherlands going into halftime. 

Martinovic opened the second half with a goal for Croatia for -1 - 15:14. Martinovic equalized from 7 meters for 15:15 in the 32nd minute. 

Martinovic equalized for Croatia again with a penalty in the 34th minute for 16:16. Sipic made it 17:17 in the 38th minute. 

Martinovic scored his 7th goal of the match for 18:18 in the 41st minute. Sipic made it 19:19 a minute later. 

Martinovic finally put Croatia back in the lead for 20:19 in the 45th minute. Srna made it 21:19 for Croatia in the 46th minute. Cindric made it 22:19 a minute later. 

Croatia was leading 26:24 with 5 minutes to go. Martinovic scored his 12th goal in the 56th minute for 27:25. Croatia was up by only one goal with a little over a minute to go. 

The Netherlands equalized for 27:27 in the final minute. Lucin scored for 28:27 in the final 15 seconds and the Netherlands equalized for the final 28:28. 

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

February 6, 2020 - Croatia handball team captain Domagoj Duvnjak received the European Handball Federation award for 'Player of the Month' for the first time in his career.

HRT reports that the award, given by journalists of the European handball organization, was won by 18-year-old Elena Mikhaylichenko in the women's competition, while Domagoj Duvnjak’s superb play at the European Championship made the EHF’s decision easy for the men's side.

?? Nezaustavljivi Domagoj Duvnjak dobio je još jedno priznanje ?? igrač mjeseca siječnja po izboru EHF-a ✔️??#crohandball #ehfplayerofthemonth pic.twitter.com/0lEy5QT9SC

— HRS (@HRStwitt) February 6, 2020

Recall, Duvnjak not only led Croatia to the silver medal at the European Championship, but he was also named the MVP of the tournament. 

“It's always nice to get this kind of award. Thanks to everyone who voted for me. Of course, I would trade all of these awards for a gold medal,” Duvnjak said after learning that he had received the award.

Before him, only Luka Cindric received the EHF ‘Player of the Month’ award twice, in June 2017 and April 2019.

Duvnjak won the award in front of Norwegian Sander Sagosen and Spaniard Alex Dushebaev.

The Croatia captain has returned to Germany, where he will chase the Champions League title with his club, THW Kiel.

"We have a good base, but everything is still open. We have to keep in mind the difficult weeks in the Bundesliga, and then with the national team. My biggest dream is to win the Champions League with Kiel. It's been seven years since I won it with Hamburg. and I want to get back on the podium,” Duvnjak said on the office EHF website.

The Cowboys, in addition to their club duties, are also awaiting qualifications for the Tokyo Olympics. Although the disappointment of not winning the Euro gold remains, they are proud of the silver medal that few expected.

"We won silver, we did not lose gold, but that defeat still hurts. We wanted to give our coach a gift for everything he has done for Croatian handball and our country. I hope we will qualify for the Olympics and make him proud there," concluded Duvnjak.

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