January 21, 2022 - Does Croatia handball have a chance at making the EHF Euro 2022 semifinals? Yes, but it won't be easy. 

Because the Croatia men's handball team did not transfer any points to the next phase of the competition and lost to Montenegro 32:26 in the first game of the second round, their chances of reaching the European Handball Championship semifinals are slim. However, there is a glimmer of hope, reports T.portal.

So, how can Croatia move to the knockout stage of the competition? 
1) The first condition is that Croatia can no longer lose and needs to win the next three games: Denmark (Saturday), Iceland (Monday), and the Netherlands (Wednesday). If they lose to Denmark, they have no shot. 
2) The second condition comes down to the other results, of which the key one is for France to beat Denmark in the group derby. In that case, France would be first in the group with ten points, Croatia and Denmark would have six points each, and Montenegro and Iceland four points each.
3) In addition, some other results must coincide, so it is so important that Montenegro beats the Netherlands on Saturday, and France beats Iceland.
4) Furthermore, Denmark should be expected to win against the Netherlands and France against Montenegro. It is also important that Iceland outplays Montenegro.

Thus, Croatia does not depend on themselves, and needing to secure three consecutive victories, including against powerhouses Denmark and Iceland, is not totally realistic. 

However, with so much at stake, coach Hrvoje Horvat decided to make several changes in the team in order to present the best possible players at the European Championship. 

Against Denmark tomorrow, Kristian Pilipović will be part of the team, who today (January 21, 2022), acquired the right to play for Croatia, in addition to Lovro Mihić and Mateo Maraš.

"We go game by game, defeat hurts and we are not happy that we lost. We are in a specific situation where we need to constantly revise, always start all over again. It will be very difficult to play, we will need to be maximally concentrated and provide the best possible game," said Horvat.

Croatia and Denmark meet on Saturday at 20:30. 

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

January 15, 2022 - Croatia beats Serbia 23:20 in the second match of Group C at the EHF Euro 2022 in Szeged, Hungary. 

The Croatia men's handball team met Serbia on Saturday night to advance to the second round of the European Championship in Hungary. Recall, Croatia fell to France in the first match of Group C on Thursday. 

Coach Hrvoje Horvat is still battling the coronavirus among his players. Today, Zvonimir Srna and young goalkeeper Matej Mandić dropped out of the squad. This match saw the return of Luka Cindrić, which was certainly a huge advantage for Croatia. 

The hall tonight was also sold out, with around 8,000 fans estimated and several Croatia fans in the stands. 

Recap

The match started with Croatia's first attack saved by the Serbia keeper. A controversial foul on Cupic saw Marsenic receive a 2-minute suspension and Croatia retook possession. Serbia received another exclusion in the 2nd minute of the match. Croatia scored the first goal with 2 extra players for 1:0. 

Croatia intercepted the ball on Serbia's first attack and Cupic scored for 2:0 in the 3rd minute. Martinovic made it 3:0 in the 4th minute! 

Serbia made it 3:2 in the 7th minute. Jaganjac scored for 4:2 one minute later. Serbia made it 4:3 in the 10th. An incredible goal by Martinovic made it 5:3 in the 12th. Lucin scored for 6:4 two minutes later. 

Serbia scored a penalty to equalize for 6:6 in the 16th minute and took the lead for the first time in the match in the 18th minute (6:7). Jaganjac equalized for 7:7.  

Cindric put Croatia back in the lead in the 22nd minute for 8:7.  

Serbia retook the lead in the 26th minute for 8:9. Cindric equalized at 9:9 in the 27th minute. Lucin put Croatia back ahead a minute later for 10:9. 

A quick counter-attack saw Cindric score for 11:9 going into halftime. 

The second half started with no goals from either side in the first 3 minutes. Serbia scored for 11:10 in the 33rd. Martinovic scored for 12:10 moments later. 

Martinovic made it 13:12 in the 37th. Two huge saves by Sunjic stopped Serbia's attacks. Cupic made it +3 in the 39th - 14:11. 

Martinovic scored his 5th goal from a penalty for 15:12 in the 41st. Cupic scored for 16:13 a minute later! 

Lucin scored for 17:13 in the 44th and again in the 46th for 18:15. 

Cupic scored for +4 in the 49th minute - 19:15. Lucin made it 20:16 in the 53rd. Martinovic made it 21:17 with 4 minutes to go! 

Cupic scored for 22:18 with less than 2 minutes to go. Goalkeeper Sunjic scored in an empty goal for 23:18! The match ended 23:20 for Croatia!

Croatia plays Ukraine in the final match of Group C on Monday, January 17 at 18:00. 

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

January 5, 2022 - Captain Duvnjak and Cindrić tested positive nine days before Croatia begins their European Handball Championship campaign. 

The Croatian Handball Federation released a statement that revealed that Domagoj Duvnjak and Luka Cindrić had tested positive for coronavirus nine days before the European Handball Championship, reports Gol.hr.

Duvnjak only joined the national team on January 1 due to his obligations in Kiel, while Cindrić has been preparing with Croatia for longer. It is not known where they became infected. Duvnjak complained of back problems from day one and missed training.

"Although the preparations of the Croatian men's senior national team for the Croatia Cup and the European Championship are taking place with the strictest epidemiological measures, the coronavirus has, unfortunately, penetrated our ranks, like many other national teams and clubs.

This morning's PCR tests, which are part of the commitment to the European Handball Federation before coming to the competition, revealed that two Croatian handball players are positive. They are Domagoj Duvnjak and Luka Cindrić. They are feeling well so far and have milder symptoms. Of course, according to the prescribed protocol, they were placed in isolation. All other players and professional staff members are negative and continue with regular training. Just in case, tomorrow morning, January 5, everyone will have PCR testing again," HRS reported on Tuesday. 

"We have no luck with that. We are implementing the measures envisaged in this situation. We conducted antigen testing, today a PCR test. The two players are positive, and the tests have justified their purpose.

Interestingly, these antigen tests were negative, we thought we were sure of that, but still, positive results arrived. Therefore, we will isolate the players and test ourselves later. Fortunately, there are milder symptoms, and I hope that they will get out of it quickly, but we can never be sure that they will be able to play," said the doctor of the national team Tomislav Kukina.

There is no need to waste words on how important the duo is for Croatia's game, especially Domagoj Duvnjak, who has led the national team for years. At the same time, the excellent performance by Barcelona player Luka Cindrić was expected at this Euro after injuries kept him out of Croatia' squad in the last year. However, they may both miss the competition. In the best-case scenario, they could return by the start of the championship if they receive the prescribed isolation of fewer than ten days and, in addition, must have a negative test. Both are vaccinated because players who have not received both doses cannot play in the Euro according to EHF rules.

Coach Hrvoje Horvat can call Igor Karačić or Domagoj Pavlović instead of Luka Cindrić.

As Duvnjak was planned to be used on the left outside, coach Horvat will have to think carefully about who to call if Duvnjak cannot play. The ideal options are Stipe Mandalinić and Ivan Slišković, who play very well at their clubs.

France and Serbia have also been affected by the coronavirus. As a result, both national teams canceled friendly matches ahead of the Euros. 

Due to injuries, France is deprived of three Olympic champions (Timothey N'Guessan, Nedim Remili, and Luka Karabatic). In addition, they may be without a fourth, goalkeeper Vincent Gérard, due to family issues, while Elohim Prandi was violently attacked on December 31, 2021. 

A total of nine positive cases among the invited players, including pivot Théa Monara, was revealed on Sunday.

The only good news for France is the return of four infected players, including Nikola Karabatic, who started training separately on Sunday.

Serbia also received positive tests on Tuesday. Infected players Vladimir Cupara and Bogdan Radiojevic and coach Toni Gerona, goalkeeper coach Dimitrija Pejanovic, physio Petar Radulovic and head of the delegation Milorad Krivokapic are in isolation and have milder symptoms.

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

December 31, 2021 - The Euro 2022 Croatia handball player list has been defined by coach Hrvoje Horvat ahead of the competition in Hungary and Slovakia, played from January 13 to 30, 2022.

The Croatian men's senior handball team coach Hrvoje Horvat has announced the final list of players for the European Championships in Hungary and Slovakia, which will be played from January 13 to 30, 2022. This list includes players for the final preparations, including the Croatia Cup in Osijek.

There are 18 players on the list. In addition to three goalkeepers, two wingers, and three pivots, there are also eight outside players. After the final preparations in Osijek, which start on New Year's Eve and last until January 11, the coach will decide which 16 players he will use for the first round of the competition. There are five more handball players on the reserve list who can be called later if needed. All of them continue to train in their clubs and have confirmed to the coach their readiness to jump in at any time in case of injury or illness during the final preparations or the European Championships.

Croatia will play two matches within the Croatia Cup in addition to training in Osijek before the Euros. Croatia will play against Bosnia and Herzegovina on January 6 at 16:45 and against Russia on January 8. Both countries are participating in the European Championships in Hungary and Slovakia.

The final list for the 2022 European Championships:

1. IVAN PEŠIĆ – TVB STUTTGART
2. MATE ŠUNJIĆ – US IVRY HANDBALL
3. MATEJ MANDIĆ – RK PPD ZAGREB
4. DAVID MANDIĆ – RK PPD ZAGREB
5. LOVRO MIHIĆ – ORLEN WISLA PLOCK
6. IVAN ČUPIĆ – RK PPD ZAGREB
7. FILIP GLAVAŠ – HC TRIMO TREBNJE
8. LEON ŠUŠNJA – ORLEN WISLA PLOCK
9. MARIN ŠIPIĆ – RK PPD ZAGREB
10. NIKOLA GRAHOVAC – RK PPD ZAGREB
11. DOMAGOJ DUVNJAK – THW KIEL
12. LUKA CINDRIĆ – BARCA
13. HALIL JAGANJAC – RK NEXE
14. ZVONIMIR SRNA – RK PPD ZAGREB
15. MARKO MAMIĆ – SC DFHK LEIPZIG
16. ANTE GADŽA – HC VARDAR 1961
17. IVAN MARTINOVIĆ – TSV HANNOVER – BURGDORF
18. LUKA ŠEBETIĆ – HC MOTOR

Reserve players:

1. MARIN ŠEGO – MONTPELLIER HB
2. MARINO MARIĆ – MT MELSUNGEN
3. IGOR KARAČIĆ – HC LOMZA VIVE KIELCE
4. ŠIME IVIĆ – SC DFHK LEIPZIG
5. TIN LUČIN – ORLEN WISLA PLOCK

Croatia handball staff:

HRVOJE HORVAT, COACH
IVANO BALIĆ, COACH
NINOSLAV PAVELIĆ, GOALKEEPER COACH
MILJENKO RAK, CONDITIONING COACH
DANIJEL BRAJKOVIĆ, CONDITIONING COACH
GORAN KRUŠELJ, PHYSIOTHERAPIST
MATIJA RAJNOVIĆ, PHYSIOTHERAPIST
SILVIA JURATOVAC, MT THERAPIST
KREŠIMIR ROTIM, DOCTOR
TOMISLAV KUKIN, DOCTOR
IVICA UDOVIČIĆ, DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL TEAM
IGOR VORI, SPORTS DIRECTOR OF MEN'S TEAM
IVICA MARAŠ, SPOKESPERSON AND TEAM MANAGER
ZDRAVKO MIRILOVIĆ, TECHNICIAN

Source: HRS

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

ZAGREB, 16 May, 2021 - The Croatian Deaf Sport Federation will host the 12th European Deaf Handball Championship in Zagreb on 18 to 27, the first major competition of the deaf to take place in Croatia.

The championship will feature six national teams - Bosnia and Herzegovina, France, Russia, Serbia, Turkey and Croatia. Croatia will be defending the gold medal won at the previous championship in Berlin in 2016. 

For more news about sports in Crotia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

January 26, 2020 - Domagoj Duvnjak was named the player of the match in the European Championship final on Sunday, as well as the MVP of the entire competition. 

Croatia handball team captain Domagoj Duvnjak may not have led his team to the gold medal this time around, but he’s won the hearts of European handball fans thanks to his brilliant play in the 2020 European Championship. 

The THW Kiel player and Dakovo native was named the best player of the European Handball Championship before Sunday’s final between Croatia and Spain. Duvnjak not only carried Croatia to the final, but he was brilliant in the defense and attack in doing so. 

Namely, Duvnjak’s 5-1 defensive play was nearly perfect, and later in the tournament, as a true captain and leader, he carried the national team in the offense to earn the MVP title.

“The Croatian captain dragged his team kicking and screaming into their first EHF EURO final since 2010 with a string of commanding and heroic performances throughout the tournament. The THW Kiel back court ace’s display in Croatia’s marathon semi-final win over Norway, which included eight goals and the crucial penalty at the end of normal time, inspired Lino Cervar’s side to the gold medal match. The heartbeat and leader of the team, Duvnjak’s overall game of breaking up play and motivating his teammates have played an instrumental role in Croatia’s success,” said the European Handball Federation.

With this recognition, Duvnjak became the only Croat, alongside Ivan Balic, who was named the European Championship MVP. Balic won it twice - in 2004 in Slovenia and 2006 in Switzerland. 

It was Spain to win the final 22:20 on Sunday in Stockholm, which left the captain reasonably defeated, but also full of pride.

“This is one of the more difficult losses of my career. I am sad but proud of the wonderful guys who deserved this medal. We missed a little to win the European Championship. This was our first defeat at the Championship. We led in the finals, but Spain punished our mistakes in the final. But the character of this team is incredible,” Duvnjak said after receiving the silver medal.

Domagoj Duvnjak joined the Croatia national team for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and was part of the team to win the Olympic bronze in 2012, the silver at the World Championship in 2009 and the bronze in 2013, and three silver and two bronze medals from the European Championship. 

Duvnjak was named the IHF World Player in 2013, and in 2009, was the most expensive handball player in the history of the sport.

We tip our hats to the Croatian handball legend for a job well done. 

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

January 26, 2020 - The Croatia handball team met Spain for the European Championship final in Stockholm on Sunday.

After meeting in the second round on Wednesday for a tie game, Croatia met Spain again for their eighth major final ever and third European Championship final on Sunday. The team was after the gold, which is the only color missing from their collection of European medals so far.

Recall, Croatia has two Olympic gold medals and one gold medal from the World Championship in 2003, though only two silver medals and three bronze from the Euros. 

The game against Spain was their chance - and there were 10,000 Croatian fans in the stands to help them do it.

Croatia had the first attack of the game, which resulted in a foul on Karacic. Maric scored for the Croatia lead and 0:1 in the 1st minute. Spain missed on their first attack, and Duvnjak scored for 0:2. Stepancic made it 1:3 in the 4th minute. Spain equalized for 3:3 in the 6th minute. 

A foul on Maric resulted in a 7-meter shot, which Duvnjak scored for 3:4. In the 9th minute, Duvnjak scored another for 4:5.

Mandic put Croatia back in the lead for 5:6 in the 11th minute and Karacic scored for 6:7 in the 13th minute.

Duvnjak scored yet another 7-meter shot for 6:8. Karacic made it 7:9 in the 16th!

Maric gave Croatia the biggest lead yet -  7:10 in the 18th minute.

Spain equalized for 10:10 in the 24th minute - and Croatia hadn’t scored for six minutes. 

Sego made a stellar save in the 27th minute, which gave Croatia the attack and a 7-meter shot. Duvnjak missed, keeping the game 10:10.

Spain took the lead for the first time in the game in the 27th minute for 11:10.

Thirty seconds before the half, Mandic scored to equalize for 11:11, though Spain retook the lead for 12:11 at the half. 

Sego opened the second half with a brilliant save in Spain’s first attack. Stepancic equalized for 12:12 in the 32nd minute.

Spain retook the lead for 13:12 in the 33rd minute - and they were up 16:12 in the 35th minute.

Horvat scored a 7-meter shot for 16:13. 

Duvnak nailed the net for 16:14 in the 38th minute.

Spain had gone seven minutes without scoring a goal.

Horvat scored for 16:15 in the 44th minute.

Mamic made it 17:16 in the 45th minute, and Horvat scored for 18:17 in the 47th.

Duvnjak equalized for 18:18 in the 48th minute. 

Stepancic put Croatia back in the lead for 18:19 in the 53rd minute. 

The game was 20:20 with three minutes to go.

With 25 seconds to go, Spain scored for 22:20, which was the final score of the game.

Domagoj Duvnjak was named the player of the game.

Before the start of the final, the European Handball Federation and fans voted Domagoj Duvnjak as the Euro MVP, and Igor Karacic is on the ideal team of the competition.

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

January 25, 2020 - The Croatia handball team will play its 100th game ever in the European Championship on Sunday in Stockholm, which also happens to be final. A look at the celebrations of Croatian fans who have carried the team this far. 

It’s fair to say that Croatian fans are emotionally exhausted after that semifinal match between Croatia and Norway on Friday night. And for the .01% of you who missed the thriller in Stockholm, Croatia defeated Norway in the final 8 seconds of the 2nd overtime to win 29:28 and secured a spot in the European Championship final on Sunday against Spain. 

Phew.

Duvnjak was the player of the game, with eight goals scored for Croatia on Friday. 

"First of all, I would like to congratulate my teammates and the professional staff in an epic fight. I have never played a match like this in my life. We showed Croatian character, we continued to play when we lost our footing. I think we deserved to win," Duvnjak said, adding:

"There were cramps, but at that moment, you don't think about it. I don't remember half of what happened in the overtime. You only look at the traffic light and shut off. We lost to them in France and now we're back. I want to congratulate Zeljko, he has a good national team spirit, and that comes back to us,” Duvnjak said.

The “Zeljko” Duvnjak is talking about is Zeljko Musa, the other Croatian hero of the game who scored in the final seconds for the victory. 

“'We have to take responsibility, carry on to the end. We will sleep with a medal tomorrow, but we are not happy. We came to win every next game. And this next one is for gold. Domagoj is a national hero. The whole team needs to tip their hats. It was for Croatia, the fans, for all of us, it is certain that we will not stop there. This is one great success,” Musa said immediately after the game.

The Croatian fans in the stands have been particularly exceptional during this championship - and we’ve seen them go through every emotion thus far. Even tears during the nail biter on Friday. 

They celebrated in the Arena after the game.

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VEČERAS JE NAŠA FEŠTA!!! ❤️??

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Along the streets of Stockholm.

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U Švedskoj doslovno sve gori. IDEMOOOO PO FINALEEE!!! ❤️??

A post shared by Love Croatia (@volimhrvatsku) on Jan 24, 2020 at 8:20am PST

They celebrated in Belek, Turkey.

And back in Split.

The team deservedly celebrated in the dressing room after the game.

And on the bus ride home.

Today, we are especially proud to be Croatian. 

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

January 24, 2020 - The Croatia handball team met Norway in the semifinal of the European Championship in Stockholm on Friday. 

Lino Cervar’s side was after the gold on Friday night - the only color missing from their collection of medals thus far.

Before the semifinal, Croatia and Norway had played 15 matches. Croatia was better with nine wins, while they had drawn once, and Norway had won five. The last match between Croatia and Norway was played at the last European Championship, where the Cowboys celebrated 32:28.

Croatia scored the first goal of the game for 0:1. 

Norway took the lead in the 3rd minute for 2:1. 

Stepancic equalized for 2:2 in the 4th minute, and again for 3:3 in the 6th minute. 

Horvat made it 4:4 in the 8th minute. 

Mandic gave Croatia the lead for the second time in the game for 4:5 and it was 5:6 in the 11th minute.

Stepancic made it 5:7 for Croatia in the 12th minute - and Maric made it 6:8 in the 16th minute. Sego was brilliant in goal to keep Croatia in the lead.

Horvat put Croatia up +3 in the 19th minute for 6:9. 

Croatia was up 9:11 in the 25th minute. Norway reduced the score to 10:11 one minute before the half. Karacic scored for +2 at the half, which ended at 10:12. 

Karacic opened the second half with a goal and a +3 advantage for Croatia at 10:13, and scored again for 12:14 in the 34th minute. 

Mandic made 12:15 in the 35th minute. In the 39th minute, Norway equalized for 15:15.

Croatia was back in the lead for 15:16, though Norway was quick to equalize for 16:16. 

Matanovic made it 17:18 in the 44th minute, and a stellar save by Sego prevented Norway from coming back.

Duvnjak scored a 7-meter shot for 17:19 in the 45th minute, but it was 19:19 in the 48th minute.

Matanovic scored to put Croatia back in the lead for 19:20, and Horvat made it 20:21 in the 51st minute. Norway, however, was back in the lead for 22:21 with five minutes to go. 

Maric equalized with five to go for 22:22, and Duvnjak put Croatia back in the lead for 22:23 with three minutes to go. Asanin scored his second 7-meter shot to keep Croatia in the lead. A brilliant performance by the substitute goalie. 

At 23:23, the game went to extra time.

Croatia was the first to score for 23:24, though Norway quickly equalized for 24:24. Stepancic put Croatia back in the lead for 24:25, though Norway equalized immediately. 

Norway took the lead in the 67th minute for 26:25. Croatia was awarded a 7-meter shot in the 70th minute to stay in the game - Duvnjak scored for 26:26!

The game moved into 2nd overtime.

Sego made a save at the start to give Croatia the attack, though Stepancic was unlucky. Norway scored for 27:26.

Maric scored a brilliant goal around his back to equalize for 27:27. Horvat scored to give Croatia the lead for 27:28 and Sego made a crucial save for another Croatia attack!

Norway equalized - it was 28:28 at the half.

The final five minute half began with a Croatia attack, which Stepancic missed.

In the final 15 seconds, Musa saved the day to score for 28:29 - and secured Croatia's spot in the final!  

Domagoj Duvnjak was named the player of the game. 

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

January 13, 2020 - The Croatia handball team met Serbia for their final game of Group A in the European Championship on Monday in Graz. Croatia already secured first place in the group and a spot in the second round before Monday, while Serbia had no chance of moving forward regardless of Monday’s result. 

Despite Croatia’s security in the second round, coach Lino Cervar did not want to disappoint Croatian fans and promised a solid Croatian side against Serbia. 

Croatia started the game with the ball and Mandic scored for 0:1 in the first minute. Goalkeeper Sego made a few great saves to keep Croatia in the lead until the 5th minute, when Serbia finally equalized for 1:1. That didn’t last long, and Croatia’s Stepancic retook the lead in the 6th minute for 1:2. Radivojevic equalized in the 7th. 

Croatia lost the ball moments later, which resulted in a Serbia counter-attack. Sego brilliantly defended to keep Croatia ahead. Karacic scored in the 8th minute for 2:3, and Stepancic for 2:4. Sego continued with his brilliant goalkeeping, and Duvnjak scored for 2:5 in the 10th minute. Serbia came back for 3:5 a minute later. Sego saved a penalty in the 13th, and Musa increased Croatia's lead to 4:6 in the 15th.

 A 7-meter shot for Serbia in the 17th minute saw an equal score for the first time - 6:6. However, a Horvat shot put Croatia back in the lead one minute later (6:7). Stepancic scored for 6:8, though Serbia returned for 7:8. The game was equal again in the 21st, and Serbia took the lead for the first time in the 23rd minute for 9:8. In the 24th minute, it was 10:8 for Serbia.

Over the next few minutes, Croatia was unable to score. Approaching the 28th minute, it had been seven minutes since Croatia's last goal. With 9 seconds to go in the first half, Mandic hit the post to keep it 10:8 for Serbia.

Croatia opened the second half with a super save by Sego, and Cindric scored for 10:9 in the 30th minute. Serbia increased its lead to 11:9 in the 32nd, however, brilliant goals by Stepancic and Duvnjak put Croatia back in the game.

The Croatia handball team was awarded a 7-meter shot in the 36th minute, which Horvat scored for the equalizer (12:12). In the 41st minute, Serbia was back up to +2 (14:12). Sego's defense ensured it wasn't any higher, and Croatia came back to score for 14:12 in the 42nd.

An incredible counter by Duvnjak saw Croatia back in the lead - it was 14:15 in the 44th minute! Mandic increased the lead to 14:16, and Horvat made it 14:17 in the 46th minute. Sipic scored for +3 in the 48th and Karacic for +4 in the 49th (14:19). On fire from his last goal, Karacic scored again for Croatia's five-goal lead in the 50th minute.

Serbia unraveled under pressure, and Duvnjak scored for 15:21 in the 51st. Serbia began making a comeback, though a Cindric goal made it harder with a goal for 19:22 in the 56th minute. A Sego defense was followed by a Croatia counter-attack where Mandic was one-on-one with the keeper to score for 19:23. At this point, Croatia's victory was inevitable. Cindric scored for 19:24 with two minutes to go. Croatia slowly kept possession, though Serbia was able to come back to 21:24 in the final minute. The game ended 21:24 for Croatia. 

Marin Sego was named the man of the match.

Croatia will now travel to Vienna, where they will continue their competition on Thursday. Croatia's opponent is yet to be announced, though it is likely Austria.

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