Croatia Men's National Handball Team
   HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

The Croatia national handball team () represents
Croatia Croatia, officially the Republic of Croatia, is a country in Central Europe, Central and Southeast Europe, on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. It borders Slovenia to the northwest, Hungary to the northeast, Serbia to the east, Bosnia and Herze ...
in international men's team
handball Handball (also known as team handball, European handball, Olympic handball or indoor handball) is a team sport in which two teams of seven players each (six outcourt players and a goalkeeper) pass a ball using their hands with the aim of thr ...
competitions and friendly matches. The handball team is controlled by the
Croatian Handball Federation The Croatian Handball Federation (; abbr. HRS) is the governing body of handball in Croatia. It is based in Zagreb. It organizes the handball leagues: * Croatian Men's Premier Handball League * Croatian Women's First Handball League * Croatian ...
(HRS). Croatia has often been described as an international force in handball, having won the gold medal at the
Olympic Games The modern Olympic Games (Olympics; ) are the world's preeminent international Olympic sports, sporting events. They feature summer and winter sports competitions in which thousands of athletes from around the world participate in a Multi-s ...
twice and one
World Championship A world championship is generally an international competition open to elite competitors from around the world, representing their nations, and winning such an event will be considered the highest or near highest achievement in the sport, game ...
title, and played in the final of the
European Championship A European Championship is the top level international sports competition between European athletes or sports teams representing their respective countries or professional sports clubs. In the plural, the European Championships also refers t ...
three times. The Croatian national team's victory at the
1996 Olympics The 1996 Summer Olympics (officially the Games of the XXVI Olympiad, also known as Atlanta 1996 and commonly referred to as the Centennial Olympic Games) were an international multi-sport event held from July 19 to August 4, 1996, in Atlanta, ...
is often credited as one of the biggest upsets in the history of handball. The Croatian national team have also won a so-called "international double", winning the gold medal at the World Championship (
2003 2003 was designated by the United Nations as the International Year of Fresh water, Freshwater. In 2003, a Multi-National Force – Iraq, United States-led coalition 2003 invasion of Iraq, invaded Iraq, starting the Iraq War. Demographic ...
) and the Olympics (
2004 2004 was designated as an International Year of Rice by the United Nations, and the International Year to Commemorate the Struggle Against Slavery and Its Abolition (by UNESCO). Events January * January 3 – Flash Airlines Flight 60 ...
).


History of handball in Croatia and Yugoslavia (1904–1991)


Handball in Austria-Hungary (1904–1918)

The word
handball Handball (also known as team handball, European handball, Olympic handball or indoor handball) is a team sport in which two teams of seven players each (six outcourt players and a goalkeeper) pass a ball using their hands with the aim of thr ...
in the Croatian region was first used by Franjo Bučar in 1904 to describe the German game Schleuderball in the journal ''Sokol''. The earliest documented forms of playing handball in these areas appear in 1911 at the gymnasium of
Pazin Pazin (, ) is a town in western Croatia, the administrative seat of Istria County. It is known for the medieval Pazin Castle, the former residence of the Istrian margraves. Geography The town had a population of 8,638 in 2011, of which 4,386 li ...
, which is, among other things, due to the programs for education in
Istria Istria ( ; Croatian language, Croatian and Slovene language, Slovene: ; Italian language, Italian and Venetian language, Venetian: ; ; Istro-Romanian language, Istro-Romanian: ; ; ) is the largest peninsula within the Adriatic Sea. Located at th ...
, as part of the then-
Austria Austria, formally the Republic of Austria, is a landlocked country in Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is a federation of nine Federal states of Austria, states, of which the capital Vienna is the List of largest cities in Aust ...
n coast, coming from the education center in
Graz Graz () is the capital of the Austrian Federal states of Austria, federal state of Styria and the List of cities and towns in Austria, second-largest city in Austria, after Vienna. On 1 January 2025, Graz had a population of 306,068 (343,461 inc ...
. At the time, handball was included in high school programs closing ceremony in
Croatia Croatia, officially the Republic of Croatia, is a country in Central Europe, Central and Southeast Europe, on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. It borders Slovenia to the northwest, Hungary to the northeast, Serbia to the east, Bosnia and Herze ...
. The type of handball was a form of
Czech handball Czech handball (Czech: ''česká házená'', also known as ''národní házená'' – ''national handball'') is an outdoor ball game which was created in 1905 in Prague. The sport is very similar to team handball. History Czech handball is ...
and was adopted by the
Osijek Osijek () is the fourth-largest city in Croatia, with a population of 96,848 in 2021. It is the largest city and the economic and cultural centre of the eastern Croatian region of Slavonia, as well as the administrative centre of Osijek-Baranja ...
and
Vukovar Vukovar (; sr-Cyrl, Вуковар, , ) is a city in Croatia, in the eastern Regions of Croatia, regions of Syrmia and Slavonia. It contains Croatia's largest river port, located at the confluence of the Vuka (river), Vuka and the Danube. Vukova ...
students from
Prague Prague ( ; ) is the capital and List of cities and towns in the Czech Republic, largest city of the Czech Republic and the historical capital of Bohemia. Prague, located on the Vltava River, has a population of about 1.4 million, while its P ...
.


Between the two world wars (1918–1941)

In the early beginnings of Croatian handball, venues played both
field handball Field handball (also known as outdoor handball or grass handball) is a soccer-like outdoor predecessor of what is now (indoor) handball. It was played at the Olympics once, at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. It was dominated by Germany, winn ...
and
handball Handball (also known as team handball, European handball, Olympic handball or indoor handball) is a team sport in which two teams of seven players each (six outcourt players and a goalkeeper) pass a ball using their hands with the aim of thr ...
. Students were mostly attracted to field handball as it was played on existing football fields, while handball was played on makeshift courts. During the
Kingdom of Yugoslavia The Kingdom of Yugoslavia was a country in Southeast Europe, Southeast and Central Europe that existed from 1918 until 1941. From 1918 to 1929, it was officially called the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, but the term "Yugoslavia" () h ...
, the first public handball match in the Croatian region and the wider neighborhood was played at a high school in
Varaždin Varaždin ( or ; , also known by #Name, alternative names) is a city in Northern Croatia, north-east of Zagreb. The total population is 46,946, with 38,839 in the city settlement itself (2011). The city is best known for its baroque buildings, ...
on 29 May 1930 under the guidance of physical education teacher Zvonimir Šuligoj. Since that game and until 1950, field handball was played exclusively in public in
Croatia Croatia, officially the Republic of Croatia, is a country in Central Europe, Central and Southeast Europe, on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. It borders Slovenia to the northwest, Hungary to the northeast, Serbia to the east, Bosnia and Herze ...
and
Yugoslavia , common_name = Yugoslavia , life_span = 1918–19921941–1945: World War II in Yugoslavia#Axis invasion and dismemberment of Yugoslavia, Axis occupation , p1 = Kingdom of SerbiaSerbia , flag_p ...
on football fields with eleven players on each side. The first handball courts in
Yugoslavia , common_name = Yugoslavia , life_span = 1918–19921941–1945: World War II in Yugoslavia#Axis invasion and dismemberment of Yugoslavia, Axis occupation , p1 = Kingdom of SerbiaSerbia , flag_p ...
was opened at a high school in Zagreb on 1 June 1935.


The establishment of Croatian Handball Federation and the first Croatian national team (1941–1945)

At the beginning of
World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
, the
Kingdom of Yugoslavia The Kingdom of Yugoslavia was a country in Southeast Europe, Southeast and Central Europe that existed from 1918 until 1941. From 1918 to 1929, it was officially called the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, but the term "Yugoslavia" () h ...
disintegrated. Most of the territory inhabited by
Croats The Croats (; , ) are a South Slavs, South Slavic ethnic group native to Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and other neighboring countries in Central Europe, Central and Southeastern Europe who share a common Croatian Cultural heritage, ancest ...
became part of the newly formed
Independent State of Croatia The Independent State of Croatia (, NDH) was a World War II–era puppet state of Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy (1922–1943), Fascist Italy. It was established in parts of Axis occupation of Yugoslavia, occupied Yugoslavia on 10 April 1941, ...
(NDH) on 10 April 1941. As part of the new state, the
Croatian Handball Federation The Croatian Handball Federation (; abbr. HRS) is the governing body of handball in Croatia. It is based in Zagreb. It organizes the handball leagues: * Croatian Men's Premier Handball League * Croatian Women's First Handball League * Croatian ...
(HRS) was established for the first time in history on 2 October 1941 in
Zagreb Zagreb ( ) is the capital (political), capital and List of cities and towns in Croatia#List of cities and towns, largest city of Croatia. It is in the Northern Croatia, north of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the ...
. The place of foundation is recorded to be at the Croatian Sports home in Jurišićeva,
Zagreb Zagreb ( ) is the capital (political), capital and List of cities and towns in Croatia#List of cities and towns, largest city of Croatia. It is in the Northern Croatia, north of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the ...
. HRS is the umbrella organization of handball in the ISC coordinated the work of a dozen clubs and until 1944 organized national championships. The first Croatian handball team was established shortly after the formation of the NDH, with the first practice-match training held on 12 October 1941 under the guidance of head coach Dragutin Pehe. The team's first and only international match was played on 14 June 1942 against
Hungary Hungary is a landlocked country in Central Europe. Spanning much of the Pannonian Basin, Carpathian Basin, it is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine to the northeast, Romania to the east and southeast, Serbia to the south, Croatia and ...
in
Budapest Budapest is the Capital city, capital and List of cities and towns of Hungary, most populous city of Hungary. It is the List of cities in the European Union by population within city limits, tenth-largest city in the European Union by popul ...
, where they lost 0:9. The field handball match was played in front of 30,000 spectators at the then-NEP Stadium (since 2002
Ferenc Puskás Stadium The Ferenc Puskás Stadium (), or formerly People's Stadium (''Népstadion''), was a multi-purpose stadium in the 14th district (Zugló) of Budapest, Hungary. It was situated between the Puskás Ferenc Stadion and the Keleti pályaudvar me ...
) and was a prelude to the meeting of the Croatian and Hungarian football teams. Under the direction of the coach Ante Škrtić, the players for Croatia were Vlado Abramović, Irislav Dolenec, Žarko Galetović, Zvonko Leskovar, Todor Marinov, Viktor Medved, Krešo Pavlin, Vlado Šimanović, Stjepan Širić, Josip Žitnik, goalkeeper Branko Kraljand, who was considered the best Croatian player on the field, and reserve goalkeeper Zdenko Šurina. HRS stopped functioning in 1944 due to the world war.


Handball in SFR Yugoslavia (1945–1991)

Following the end of
World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
in 1945, the territory of the
Independent State of Croatia The Independent State of Croatia (, NDH) was a World War II–era puppet state of Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy (1922–1943), Fascist Italy. It was established in parts of Axis occupation of Yugoslavia, occupied Yugoslavia on 10 April 1941, ...
was included in the newly established
SFR Yugoslavia The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (commonly abbreviated as SFRY or SFR Yugoslavia), known from 1945 to 1963 as the Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia, commonly referred to as Socialist Yugoslavia or simply Yugoslavia, was a country ...
and work immediately began on rebuilding the
handball Handball (also known as team handball, European handball, Olympic handball or indoor handball) is a team sport in which two teams of seven players each (six outcourt players and a goalkeeper) pass a ball using their hands with the aim of thr ...
sport in Yugoslavia. That same year, the Committee for handball Gymnastics Association Croatian was founded, while the Committee for handball Gymnastics Association of Yugoslavia was established in May 1948. HRS was restored on 19 December 1948, in which, in accordance with the national policy of the new Yugoslav state, the name was changed to the Croatian Handball Association (RSH).
Handball Federation of Yugoslavia The Handball Federation of Yugoslavia ( sh-Latn-Cyrl, Rukometni Savez Jugoslavije, Рукометни Савез Југославије; ; ) was the governing body of team handball in SFR Yugoslavia. It was formed in 1949. It organized the men's ...
(RSJ) was established on 17 December 1949 in
Belgrade Belgrade is the Capital city, capital and List of cities in Serbia, largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers and at the crossroads of the Pannonian Basin, Pannonian Plain and the Balkan Peninsula. T ...
by pooling national and provincial associations, and it became a member of the
International Handball Federation The International Handball Federation (IHF) is the administrative and controlling body for handball and beach handball. IHF is responsible for the organisation of handball's major international tournaments, notably the IHF World Men's Handball C ...
(IHF) in 1950. After the end of World War II, most
field handball Field handball (also known as outdoor handball or grass handball) is a soccer-like outdoor predecessor of what is now (indoor) handball. It was played at the Olympics once, at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. It was dominated by Germany, winn ...
players of the NDH completed
courses Course may refer to: Directions or navigation * Course (navigation), the path of travel * Course (orienteering), a series of control points visited by orienteers during a competition, marked with red/white flags in the terrain, and corresponding ...
and became instructors or
referee A referee is an official, in a variety of sports and competition, responsible for enforcing the rules of the sport, including sportsmanship decisions such as ejection. The official tasked with this job may be known by a variety of other title ...
s in
handball Handball (also known as team handball, European handball, Olympic handball or indoor handball) is a team sport in which two teams of seven players each (six outcourt players and a goalkeeper) pass a ball using their hands with the aim of thr ...
. Some became members of the
field handball Field handball (also known as outdoor handball or grass handball) is a soccer-like outdoor predecessor of what is now (indoor) handball. It was played at the Olympics once, at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. It was dominated by Germany, winn ...
national team of
Yugoslavia , common_name = Yugoslavia , life_span = 1918–19921941–1945: World War II in Yugoslavia#Axis invasion and dismemberment of Yugoslavia, Axis occupation , p1 = Kingdom of SerbiaSerbia , flag_p ...
and played in its first international match, played on 19 June 1950 at the stadium in
Stadion Kranjčevićeva Stadion u Kranjčevićevoj ulici (''Silvije Strahimir Kranjčević, Kranjčević Street Stadium''), also known as Stadion Concordije between 1921 and 1945, is a multi-purpose stadium located in Trešnjevka neighbourhood, in the Croatian capital ...
in
Zagreb Zagreb ( ) is the capital (political), capital and List of cities and towns in Croatia#List of cities and towns, largest city of Croatia. It is in the Northern Croatia, north of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the ...
, against
Belgium Belgium, officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. Situated in a coastal lowland region known as the Low Countries, it is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeas ...
. Yugoslavia won 18:3 playing with nine players from
Zagreb Zagreb ( ) is the capital (political), capital and List of cities and towns in Croatia#List of cities and towns, largest city of Croatia. It is in the Northern Croatia, north of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the ...
, one from
Split Split(s) or The Split may refer to: Places * Split, Croatia, the largest coastal city in Croatia * Split Island, Canada, an island in the Hudson Bay * Split Island, Falkland Islands * Split Island, Fiji, better known as Hạfliua Arts, enter ...
and one from
Sarajevo Sarajevo ( ), ; ''see Names of European cities in different languages (Q–T)#S, names in other languages'' is the Capital city, capital and List of cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, largest city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a population of 2 ...
. Since the end of World War II and until the breakup of Yugoslavia in 1991, the best Croatian handball players in
field Field may refer to: Expanses of open ground * Field (agriculture), an area of land used for agricultural purposes * Airfield, an aerodrome that lacks the infrastructure of an airport * Battlefield * Lawn, an area of mowed grass * Meadow, a grass ...
and
team handball Handball (also known as team handball, European handball, Olympic handball or indoor handball) is a team sport in which two teams of seven players each (six outcourt players and a Handball goalkeeper, goalkeeper) pass a ball using their hands ...
were selected to play for the national team of Yugoslavia. As part of the national team, Croatian players competed at 17 major competitions and won seven medals, including two
Olympic Olympic or Olympics may refer to Sports Competitions * Olympic Games, international multi-sport event held since 1896 ** Summer Olympic Games ** Winter Olympic Games * Ancient Olympic Games, ancient multi-sport event held in Olympia, Greece bet ...
gold medals and one
World Championship A world championship is generally an international competition open to elite competitors from around the world, representing their nations, and winning such an event will be considered the highest or near highest achievement in the sport, game ...
gold medal. During this period, the team also won five gold medals in five appearances at the
Mediterranean Games The Mediterranean Games is a multi-sport event organised by the International Committee of Mediterranean Games (CIJM). It is held every four years among athletes from countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea in Africa, Asia and Europe. The fi ...
(1967, 1975, 1979, 1983 and 1991), two gold and one bronze medal at the World Cups held in 1971, 1974 and 1984 in Sweden, two bronze medals at the handball Super League held in 1981 and 1983 in Germany, and a silver medal at the 1990
Goodwill Games The Goodwill Games were an international sports competition created by Ted Turner in reaction to the political troubles surrounding the Olympic Games of the 1980s. In 1979, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan caused the United States and other ...
in
Seattle Seattle ( ) is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Washington and in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. With a population of 780,995 in 2024, it is the 18th-most populous city in the United States. The city is the cou ...
. At the World Junior Championship in 1987 in
Rijeka Rijeka (; Fiume ( fjuːme in Italian and in Fiuman dialect, Fiuman Venetian) is the principal seaport and the List of cities and towns in Croatia, third-largest city in Croatia. It is located in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County on Kvarner Ba ...
, a nucleus generation of players that would define the 1990s for the Croatian national team came to light.
Alvaro Načinović Alvaro Načinović (born 22 March 1966) is a former Croatian handball player who competed for Yugoslavia and Croatia respectively. He played for his hometown club Zamet Rijeka with whom he entered into the Yugoslav First League in 1987 after w ...
,
Iztok Puc Iztok Puc (14 September 1966 – 20 October 2011) was a Croatian-Slovenian handball player, who was one of the world's top players of the 1980s and 1990s. During his career he played professionally for Borac Banja Luka, Zagreb, Celje and Prule ...
,
Vladimir Jelčić Vladimir Jelčić (born 10 October 1968) is a retired Croatian handball player. He is ex-assistant coach of RK Zagreb. He played for the Croatia national handball team at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, where Croatia won the gold medal. He ...
and others were instrumental in helping Yugoslavia win the championship, and their talent and knowledge were later incorporated as seniors in the Croatian national team's first success after independence of the country.


Modern Croatia national handball team (1991–present)


Official formation and first competitions (1991–1996)

On 30 May 1990, Croatia began the process of creating the independent state, and soon established the modern Croatian handball team. The first international match of the Croatian handball team was played on 14 January 1991 in
Zagreb Zagreb ( ) is the capital (political), capital and List of cities and towns in Croatia#List of cities and towns, largest city of Croatia. It is in the Northern Croatia, north of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the ...
, in Kutija Šibica. It was a friendly match with Japan which ended in a draw 23:23. The team was coached by
Josip Milković Josip () is a male given name largely found among Croats and Slovenes, a cognate of Joseph. In Croatia, the name Josip was the second most common masculine given name in the decades up to 1959, and has stayed among the top ten most common ones thro ...
with assistant coach
Lino Červar Lino Červar (born 22 September 1950) is a Croatian retired handball coach. In 2003 he guided Croatia men's national handball team to gold in the 2003 World Championship as well as to gold at the 2004 Olympics. As a member of the largest centr ...
and the players were Patrik Čavar,
Tonči Peribonio Tonči Peribonio (born 3 May 1960) is a Croatian former handball goalkeeper. He is currently a goalkeeper coach at TSG Ketsch. Career Peribonio started his career at RK Krivaja Zavidovići. After nine years at the club he moved to RK Zamet and ...
,
Vlado Šola Vladimir "Vlado" Šola (born 16 November 1968) is a Croatian handball coach and former player. Born in Prisoje, Tomislavgrad, Prisoje, Šola played the position of goalkeeper on the Croatia men's national handball team, Croatian national team ...
,
Ivica Obrvan Ivica Obrvan (born 2 June 1966) is a Croatian retired handball player and current coach of both, RK Podravka Koprivnica and the Croatia women's national handball team, Croatian women's national team. Honours Player Metković *Croatian Premier H ...
,
Nenad Kljaić Nenad Kljaić (born 21 December 1966) is a Croatian former handball player and current coach of Greek club Serbia men's national handball team, Serbia. Career Kljaić won two EHF Champions League, European Champions Cups as a player with RK Za ...
,
Iztok Puc Iztok Puc (14 September 1966 – 20 October 2011) was a Croatian-Slovenian handball player, who was one of the world's top players of the 1980s and 1990s. During his career he played professionally for Borac Banja Luka, Zagreb, Celje and Prule ...
, Ratko Tomljanović, Bruno Gudelj,
Željko Zovko Željko (), sometimes written Zeljko, is a South Slavic masculine given name. In Croatia, the name Željko was among the most common masculine given names in the decades between 1950 and 1979, and was the most common name in the 1960s. Notable pe ...
, Stjepan Obran,
Tomislav Farkaš Tomislav (, ) is a Slavic masculine given name, that is widespread amongst the South Slavs. The meaning of the name ''Tomislav'' is thought to have derived from the Old Slavonic verb "'' tomiti''" or "'' tomit" meaning to "''languish''", "''tor ...
, Robert Ipša,
Ivo Glavinić Ivo is a masculine given name, in use in various European languages. The name used in western European languages originates as a Normannic name recorded since the High Middle Ages, and the French name Yves is a variant of it. The unrelated So ...
and
Goran Stojanović Goran Stojanović (born 24 February 1977) is a Montenegrin-Qatari handball player for the Al Rayyan and the Qatar. Club career After starting out at his hometown club Mornar Bar, Stojanović played for Crvena zvezda (2000–2002), Lovćen (2002 ...
. The dissolution of
Yugoslavia , common_name = Yugoslavia , life_span = 1918–19921941–1945: World War II in Yugoslavia#Axis invasion and dismemberment of Yugoslavia, Axis occupation , p1 = Kingdom of SerbiaSerbia , flag_p ...
that followed,
Croatia Croatia, officially the Republic of Croatia, is a country in Central Europe, Central and Southeast Europe, on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. It borders Slovenia to the northwest, Hungary to the northeast, Serbia to the east, Bosnia and Herze ...
gained full independence on 8 October 1991 the Croatian Handball Association (RSH) in 1992 restored the original name of the
Croatian Handball Federation The Croatian Handball Federation (; abbr. HRS) is the governing body of handball in Croatia. It is based in Zagreb. It organizes the handball leagues: * Croatian Men's Premier Handball League * Croatian Women's First Handball League * Croatian ...
(HRS), and on 10 April 1992 became a member of the
International Handball Federation The International Handball Federation (IHF) is the administrative and controlling body for handball and beach handball. IHF is responsible for the organisation of handball's major international tournaments, notably the IHF World Men's Handball C ...
(IHF), and 23 July 1992 members of the
European Handball Federation The European Handball Federation (EHF) is the umbrella organisation for European handball. Founded on 17 November 1991, it is made of 50 member federations and two associated federations (England and Scotland), and is headquartered in Vienna, Au ...
(EHF). Taking fourth place at the 1990 World Championship in
Czechoslovakia Czechoslovakia ( ; Czech language, Czech and , ''Česko-Slovensko'') was a landlocked country in Central Europe, created in 1918, when it declared its independence from Austria-Hungary. In 1938, after the Munich Agreement, the Sudetenland beca ...
the Yugoslav national team was placed among the nine best teams of the tournament, which acquired them the right to participate in the upcoming 1992 Olympic Games in
Barcelona Barcelona ( ; ; ) is a city on the northeastern coast of Spain. It is the capital and largest city of the autonomous community of Catalonia, as well as the second-most populous municipality of Spain. With a population of 1.6 million within c ...
. Because of the
war War is an armed conflict between the armed forces of states, or between governmental forces and armed groups that are organized under a certain command structure and have the capacity to sustain military operations, or between such organi ...
and the disintegration of Yugoslavia, this team was disqualified, and should it was supposed to be specified who will replaced them in the games. Since the
Croatian Olympic Committee The Croatian Olympic Committee (, HOO) is the non-profit organization representing Croatian athletes in the International Olympic Committee. The COC organizes Croatia's representatives at the Summer and Winter Olympic Games. It also organizes the ...
(COC) was provisionally recognized on 17 January 1992 by the
International Olympic Committee The International Olympic Committee (IOC; , CIO) is the international, non-governmental, sports governing body of the modern Olympic Games. Founded in 1894 by Pierre de Coubertin and Demetrios Vikelas, it is based i ...
(IOC), and since
Croatia Croatia, officially the Republic of Croatia, is a country in Central Europe, Central and Southeast Europe, on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. It borders Slovenia to the northwest, Hungary to the northeast, Serbia to the east, Bosnia and Herze ...
had already on 22 May 1992 become a member of the
United Nations The United Nations (UN) is the Earth, global intergovernmental organization established by the signing of the Charter of the United Nations, UN Charter on 26 June 1945 with the stated purpose of maintaining international peace and internationa ...
, Croatian handball players had conditions to perform at the
Olympic Games The modern Olympic Games (Olympics; ) are the world's preeminent international Olympic sports, sporting events. They feature summer and winter sports competitions in which thousands of athletes from around the world participate in a Multi-s ...
in 1992. This unfortunately did not happen. Although Croatia in terms of game was handball superpower, it was decided that Yugoslavia would be replaced by
Iceland Iceland is a Nordic countries, Nordic island country between the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between North America and Europe. It is culturally and politically linked with Europe and is the regi ...
at the games as they finished tenth at the 1990 World Championship. Adverse effects of certain officials in the
IOC The International Olympic Committee (IOC; , CIO) is the international, non-governmental, sports governing body of the modern Olympic Games. Founded in 1894 by Pierre de Coubertin and Demetrios Vikelas, it is based in L ...
prevented even the option of maintaining an additional qualifying tournament like the one held for the Croatian basketball players. Croatia also missed the 1993 World Championship in
Sweden Sweden, formally the Kingdom of Sweden, is a Nordic countries, Nordic country located on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. It borders Norway to the west and north, and Finland to the east. At , Sweden is the largest Nordic count ...
, because the World Championship in 1990 was an elimination tournament for this championship. The following years, in spite of the short history of the country brought the Croatian team very significant results in important competitions. Croatia won its first official competition at the
Mediterranean Games The Mediterranean Games is a multi-sport event organised by the International Committee of Mediterranean Games (CIJM). It is held every four years among athletes from countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea in Africa, Asia and Europe. The fi ...
in 1993 in
Languedoc-Roussillon Languedoc-Roussillon (; ; ) is a former regions of France, administrative region of France. On 1 January 2016, it joined with the region of Midi-Pyrénées to become Occitania (administrative region), Occitania. It comprised five departments o ...
,
France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...
, Croatia won gold. At the first ever
European Championship A European Championship is the top level international sports competition between European athletes or sports teams representing their respective countries or professional sports clubs. In the plural, the European Championships also refers t ...
in 1994 held in
Portugal Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic, is a country on the Iberian Peninsula in Southwestern Europe. Featuring Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point in continental Europe, Portugal borders Spain to its north and east, with which it share ...
the team was led by
Zdravko Zovko Zdravko Zovko (born 28 May 1955) is a retired Croatian handball player. Career Zovko spent his entire playing career in RK Medveščak from Zagreb and in Syracuse, Sicily, for C.C. Ortigia. He won three Yugoslav Cups with the club and during hi ...
they won their first medal at this first major international competition. The group stage ended with Croatia finishing behind then powerful
Russians Russians ( ) are an East Slavs, East Slavic ethnic group native to Eastern Europe. Their mother tongue is Russian language, Russian, the most spoken Slavic languages, Slavic language. The majority of Russians adhere to Eastern Orthodox Church ...
, but in front of the French, led by the famous
Jackson Richardson Jackson Richardson (born 14 June 1969) is a French former handball player. Regarded as one of the best and most influential handball players of his era, Richardson won fourteen titles at club level and the World Championship in 1995 and 2001 wit ...
. In the semi-finals, the
Swedes Swedes (), or Swedish people, are an ethnic group native to Sweden, who share a common ancestry, Culture of Sweden, culture, History of Sweden, history, and Swedish language, language. They mostly inhabit Sweden and the other Nordic countries, ...
were better and Croatia played the third place match and won in a dramatic match against
Denmark Denmark is a Nordic countries, Nordic country in Northern Europe. It is the metropole and most populous constituent of the Kingdom of Denmark,, . also known as the Danish Realm, a constitutionally unitary state that includes the Autonomous a ...
.
Sweden Sweden, formally the Kingdom of Sweden, is a Nordic countries, Nordic country located on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. It borders Norway to the west and north, and Finland to the east. At , Sweden is the largest Nordic count ...
won the tournament demolishing the
Russians Russians ( ) are an East Slavs, East Slavic ethnic group native to Eastern Europe. Their mother tongue is Russian language, Russian, the most spoken Slavic languages, Slavic language. The majority of Russians adhere to Eastern Orthodox Church ...
in the final with 13 points. A year later at the 1995 World Championships in
Iceland Iceland is a Nordic countries, Nordic island country between the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between North America and Europe. It is culturally and politically linked with Europe and is the regi ...
Croatia relatively went easily from group stage to the quarter final where there was brought a rarely seen drama.
Tunisia Tunisia, officially the Republic of Tunisia, is a country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It is bordered by Algeria to the west and southwest, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Tunisia also shares m ...
was defeated after penalty shootout. Then the team beat
Egypt Egypt ( , ), officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a country spanning the Northeast Africa, northeast corner of Africa and Western Asia, southwest corner of Asia via the Sinai Peninsula. It is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to northe ...
in the quarter finals and
Sweden men's national handball team The Sweden men's national handball team () is Sweden's national team in men's handball and is controlled by the Swedish Handball Association. Its most successful periods were under coaches Curt Wadmark (1948–19 ...
in the semi-finals. In the final they the
French French may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France ** French people, a nation and ethnic group ** French cuisine, cooking traditions and practices Arts and media * The French (band), ...
were too big an obstacle for Zovko guys won their first Croatian World Championship silver medal. Sweden won the bronze defeating Germany. The next year at the
European Championship A European Championship is the top level international sports competition between European athletes or sports teams representing their respective countries or professional sports clubs. In the plural, the European Championships also refers t ...
in 1996 in
Spain Spain, or the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe with territories in North Africa. Featuring the Punta de Tarifa, southernmost point of continental Europe, it is the largest country in Southern Eur ...
, Croatia, was led by
Abas Arslanagić Abas Arslanagić (born October 2, 1944) is a Bosnian former handball player and coach who competed for Yugoslavia in the 1972 Summer Olympics and in the 1976 Summer Olympics. In 1972, he was part of the Yugoslav team which won the gold medal at ...
. Croatia lost took fifth place with victory over the
Czech Republic The Czech Republic, also known as Czechia, and historically known as Bohemia, is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Austria to the south, Germany to the west, Poland to the northeast, and Slovakia to the south ...
where the match was led by Vladimir Nekić because Arslanagić quit after Croatia failed to enter the semi-finals. The championship was won by
Russia Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a country spanning Eastern Europe and North Asia. It is the list of countries and dependencies by area, largest country in the world, and extends across Time in Russia, eleven time zones, sharing Borders ...
. * Bronze medal at European Championship 1994 in
Portugal Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic, is a country on the Iberian Peninsula in Southwestern Europe. Featuring Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point in continental Europe, Portugal borders Spain to its north and east, with which it share ...
* Silver medal at World Championship 1995 in
Iceland Iceland is a Nordic countries, Nordic island country between the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between North America and Europe. It is culturally and politically linked with Europe and is the regi ...
* Fifth place at European Championship 1996 in
Spain Spain, or the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe with territories in North Africa. Featuring the Punta de Tarifa, southernmost point of continental Europe, it is the largest country in Southern Eur ...


Gold medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics

On the second Olympics in which Croatian athletes performed under the banner of the Croatian flag and won their first gold medal. This was won by the athletes who were least expected to win it,
handball Handball (also known as team handball, European handball, Olympic handball or indoor handball) is a team sport in which two teams of seven players each (six outcourt players and a goalkeeper) pass a ball using their hands with the aim of thr ...
players. They were sent off to
Atlanta Atlanta ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Georgia (U.S. state), most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia. It is the county seat, seat of Fulton County, Georg ...
without hope, because at the
European Championship A European Championship is the top level international sports competition between European athletes or sports teams representing their respective countries or professional sports clubs. In the plural, the European Championships also refers t ...
in 1996 they had finished in a weak fifth place, and relations in the national team were bad. Coach
Abas Arslanagić Abas Arslanagić (born October 2, 1944) is a Bosnian former handball player and coach who competed for Yugoslavia in the 1972 Summer Olympics and in the 1976 Summer Olympics. In 1972, he was part of the Yugoslav team which won the gold medal at ...
quit during the end of the European championship and the national handball selection was filled with confrontation and fights. 38 days before the
Olympic Games The modern Olympic Games (Olympics; ) are the world's preeminent international Olympic sports, sporting events. They feature summer and winter sports competitions in which thousands of athletes from around the world participate in a Multi-s ...
, the team was taken over by coach
Velimir Kljaić Velimir Kljaić (10 February 1946 – 12 August 2010) was a Croatian handball player and coach. Career As a player Kljaić played with RK Medveščak Zagreb and Klagenfurt. As a coach, he won two Croatian championships with RK Zagreb and one Cu ...
, whose statement: "Will go back swimming if we don't win a medal" no one took seriously. Before the Olympics there were still problems. Preliminary matches didn't offer much optimism. A few days before the start of the handball tournament a friendly encounter with
Algeria Algeria, officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It is bordered to Algeria–Tunisia border, the northeast by Tunisia; to Algeria–Libya border, the east by Libya; to Alger ...
was not played to the end. The Croatian players left the court because the Algerians went too far with their abusive playing and hurt three players,
Goran Perkovac Goran Perkovac (born 16 September 1962) is a Croatian handball coach and former player who is the most recently head coach of the Croatia national team. Perkovac competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics and in the 1996 Summer Olympics for Yugoslav ...
,
Slavko Goluža Slavko Goluža (born 17 September 1971) is a retired Croatian handball player and most recently coach of RK Zagreb. Club career Goluža was born in the village of Pješivac-Kula near Stolac. He began his career with RK Mehanika Metković. A ...
and
Nenad Kljaić Nenad Kljaić (born 21 December 1966) is a Croatian former handball player and current coach of Greek club Serbia men's national handball team, Serbia. Career Kljaić won two EHF Champions League, European Champions Cups as a player with RK Za ...
. The opening match of the
Olympic games The modern Olympic Games (Olympics; ) are the world's preeminent international Olympic sports, sporting events. They feature summer and winter sports competitions in which thousands of athletes from around the world participate in a Multi-s ...
against
Switzerland Switzerland, officially the Swiss Confederation, is a landlocked country located in west-central Europe. It is bordered by Italy to the south, France to the west, Germany to the north, and Austria and Liechtenstein to the east. Switzerland ...
was tough. A victory was achieved in an already lost match. The Swiss led by as much as 6 goals, but then the goal was kept safe with a superb save from Venio Losert who just during the Olympic Games celebrated his 20th birthday. Making it a minimal victory, scoring in the 55th second before the end of the match, Patrik Ćavar brought a stellar victory. The next two matches against
Kuwait Kuwait, officially the State of Kuwait, is a country in West Asia and the geopolitical region known as the Middle East. It is situated in the northern edge of the Arabian Peninsula at the head of the Persian Gulf, bordering Iraq to Iraq–Kuwait ...
and hosts
United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...
were easy victories. This was followed by the decisive encounter to enter the semi-finals, where there were only the two first-placed teams from each group. The match with the then current Olympic and European champions
Russia Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a country spanning Eastern Europe and North Asia. It is the list of countries and dependencies by area, largest country in the world, and extends across Time in Russia, eleven time zones, sharing Borders ...
had a shocking finale. The Russians were leading by four points, but the Croats were arriving. The last minute was not for the faint of heart, but from the ''Russian roulette'' though the Croats came out as winners. One her of this triumph for the semi-finals was
Valter Matošević Valter Matošević (born 11 June 1970) is a former Croatian team handball player who was at the goalkeeper position. He played for professional teams in Croatia, Germany, Spain, Denmark and Italy. He is current handball coach. He was part of th ...
. 40 seconds before the end of the match, when the result was 24:24, he defended a penalty shot from Torgovanov. Another hero was
Božidar Jović Božidar Jović (born 13 February 1972) is a retired Croatian team handball, handball player and current general manager of RK Zagreb, Zagreb Handball Club. He played for the Croatia men's national handball team at the 1996 Summer Olympics in A ...
, who just 3 seconds before the siren rang scored the winning goal. The last match in the group was with the
Swedes Swedes (), or Swedish people, are an ethnic group native to Sweden, who share a common ancestry, Culture of Sweden, culture, History of Sweden, history, and Swedish language, language. They mostly inhabit Sweden and the other Nordic countries, ...
. This was the one in which yoneou could choose an opponent in the semi-finals, but Kljun omitted Patrik Ćavar,
Iztok Puc Iztok Puc (14 September 1966 – 20 October 2011) was a Croatian-Slovenian handball player, who was one of the world's top players of the 1980s and 1990s. During his career he played professionally for Borac Banja Luka, Zagreb, Celje and Prule ...
,
Zlatko Saračević Zlatan "Zlatko" Saračević (5 July 1961 – 21 February 2021) was a Croatian professional handball player and coach who competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics for Yugoslavia men's national handball team, Yugoslavia and in the 1996 Summer Olympics ...
and
Irfan Smajlagić Irfan "Pipe" Smajlagić (born 16 October 1961) is a Bosnian-born Croatian former handball player and the current coach of Borac Banja Luka. He competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics for Yugoslavia and in the 1996 Summer Olympics for Croatia. In ...
from the match. Croatia was defeated with nine goals difference, but without their poker aces there wasn't much to expect. The defeat did not have larger significance, except that it took to save face. In the semi-finals they waited for the French who were World Champions. Croatian handball showed the best possible way to respond to defeat in the final of the 1995 World Championship in
Iceland Iceland is a Nordic countries, Nordic island country between the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between North America and Europe. It is culturally and politically linked with Europe and is the regi ...
. Engaged and disciplined, Croatian players did a great job and ensured the silver medal the same brightness as did the water polo team. In the grand finale again Croatia faced the
Swedes Swedes (), or Swedish people, are an ethnic group native to Sweden, who share a common ancestry, Culture of Sweden, culture, History of Sweden, history, and Swedish language, language. They mostly inhabit Sweden and the other Nordic countries, ...
. In the semi-finals they defeated
Spain Spain, or the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe with territories in North Africa. Featuring the Punta de Tarifa, southernmost point of continental Europe, it is the largest country in Southern Eur ...
, who later won the bronze medal. It was a great generation that only needed an Olympic gold medal to complete their collection. They probably hoped that Croatia was not with those who were missing against Sweden would not much raise the quality that they could be threatened. In the end their plans were foiled, and the
Vikings Vikings were seafaring people originally from Scandinavia (present-day Denmark, Norway, and Sweden), who from the late 8th to the late 11th centuries raided, pirated, traded, and settled throughout parts of Europe.Roesdahl, pp. 9 ...
failed to win. After starting 0: 1 followed by a brilliant game from the players Kljaić chose and the series of 6:1. The defense was solid and impenetrable and the attack varied and deadly. Perkovac great led his boys and
Božidar Jović Božidar Jović (born 13 February 1972) is a retired Croatian team handball, handball player and current general manager of RK Zagreb, Zagreb Handball Club. He played for the Croatia men's national handball team at the 1996 Summer Olympics in A ...
was the revelation of the tournament. Worried only in the final
Zlatko Saračević Zlatan "Zlatko" Saračević (5 July 1961 – 21 February 2021) was a Croatian professional handball player and coach who competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics for Yugoslavia men's national handball team, Yugoslavia and in the 1996 Summer Olympics ...
was not playing properly, but Kljaić brought the perfect replacement, Zoran Mikulić. Although the Croatians twice led with seven goals difference, the second half offered drama. Swedes switched to defense 4–2 which created big problems. Decreased the difference and 6:30 minutes before the end came at just hit behind. Croatian handball players still in those crucial minutes they had never trembled hands. Thirty seconds before the end of the line player
Nenad Kljaić Nenad Kljaić (born 21 December 1966) is a Croatian former handball player and current coach of Greek club Serbia men's national handball team, Serbia. Career Kljaić won two EHF Champions League, European Champions Cups as a player with RK Za ...
scored a crucial goal for the final 27:26 and brought a glorious victory. With the sound of sirens was created indescribable celebration and parquet
Georgia Dome The Georgia Dome was a Stadium#Types, domed stadium in the Southeastern United States. Located in Atlanta between downtown Atlanta, downtown to the east and Vine City to the west, it was owned and operated by the State of Georgia as part of th ...
in front of 25,000 visitors in the hall and millions of TV viewers, which is today known caterpillar gold handball. It was the biggest win in the history of Croatian sport. The handball players were not yet aware of this gold they had placed around his neck President of the
Croatian Olympic Committee The Croatian Olympic Committee (, HOO) is the non-profit organization representing Croatian athletes in the International Olympic Committee. The COC organizes Croatia's representatives at the Summer and Winter Olympic Games. It also organizes the ...
Antun Vrdoljak Antun Vrdoljak (; born 5 June 1931) is a Croatian film actor and director, sports official, and head of Croatian Radiotelevision during the Yugoslav Wars. Between the 1960s and early 1990s he was mainly a film artist. In the early 1990s he became ...
, who previously predicted 6 Atlanta medal and otherwise announced "As running from the day he was born" at
Zagreb Zagreb ( ) is the capital (political), capital and List of cities and towns in Croatia#List of cities and towns, largest city of Croatia. It is in the Northern Croatia, north of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the ...
's main square. Still not running, but the handball players after returning from
Atlanta Atlanta ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Georgia (U.S. state), most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia. It is the county seat, seat of Fulton County, Georg ...
to thousands of fans being greeted at the airport and on Jelačić Square. And they did the famous caterpillar crawl.


A series of poor results (1996–2002)

After winning the Olympic gold medal on 4 August 1996 it was followed by a slow decline in the Croatian national team and the change of generations in which the handball players were far from winning a medal. It started when Croatia was knocked-out in the round of 16 of the
World Championships A world championship is generally an international competition open to elite competitors from around the world, representing their nations, and winning such an event will be considered the highest or near highest achievement in the sport, game ...
. In
Japan Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asia, Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea ...
in
1997 Events January * January 1 – The Emergency Alert System is introduced in the United States. * January 11 – Turkey threatens Cyprus on account of a deal to buy Russian S-300 missiles, prompting the Cypriot Missile Crisis. * January 1 ...
, Croatia was knocked out by
Spain Spain, or the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe with territories in North Africa. Featuring the Punta de Tarifa, southernmost point of continental Europe, it is the largest country in Southern Eur ...
31:25 and was ranked in 13th place. In
Egypt Egypt ( , ), officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a country spanning the Northeast Africa, northeast corner of Africa and Western Asia, southwest corner of Asia via the Sinai Peninsula. It is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to northe ...
1999 1999 was designated as the International Year of Older Persons. Events January * January 1 – The euro currency is established and the European Central Bank assumes its full powers. * January 3 – The Mars Polar Lander is launc ...
they were knocked-out by
Yugoslavia , common_name = Yugoslavia , life_span = 1918–19921941–1945: World War II in Yugoslavia#Axis invasion and dismemberment of Yugoslavia, Axis occupation , p1 = Kingdom of SerbiaSerbia , flag_p ...
30:23 leaving Croatia in 10th place. In
France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...
2001 The year's most prominent event was the September 11 attacks against the United States by al-Qaeda, which Casualties of the September 11 attacks, killed 2,977 people and instigated the global war on terror. The United States led a Participan ...
the national team would lose in the next round after two extra time (4 × 5 minutes) stopped
Ukraine Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the List of European countries by area, second-largest country in Europe after Russia, which Russia–Ukraine border, borders it to the east and northeast. Ukraine also borders Belarus to the nor ...
37:34 (29: 29/33: 33) finishing in 9th place. At the
European Championships A European Championship is the top level international sports competition between European athletes or sports teams representing their respective countries or professional sports clubs. In the plural, the European Championships also refers t ...
in
1998 1998 was designated as the ''International Year of the Ocean''. Events January * January 6 – The ''Lunar Prospector'' spacecraft is launched into orbit around the Moon, and later finds evidence for Lunar water, frozen water, in soil i ...
,
2000 2000 was designated as the International Year for the Culture of Peace and the World Mathematics, Mathematical Year. Popular culture holds the year 2000 as the first year of the 21st century and the 3rd millennium, because of a tende ...
and
2002 The effects of the September 11 attacks of the previous year had a significant impact on the affairs of 2002. The war on terror was a major political focus. Without settled international law, several nations engaged in anti-terror operation ...
finished in 8th, 6th and 16th place. Croatia in 2000 hosted the
European Championship A European Championship is the top level international sports competition between European athletes or sports teams representing their respective countries or professional sports clubs. In the plural, the European Championships also refers t ...
, they had high expectations from this tournament but they weren't fulfilled. After the defeat from
Slovenia Slovenia, officially the Republic of Slovenia, is a country in Central Europe. It borders Italy to the west, Austria to the north, Hungary to the northeast, Croatia to the south and southeast, and a short (46.6 km) coastline within the Adriati ...
in the match for fifth place Croatia took only 6th place and failed to qualify for the
2000 Olympic Games The 2000 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, officially branded as Sydney 2000, and also known as the Games of the New Millennium, were an international multi-sport event held from 15 September to 1 October ...
in
Sydney Sydney is the capital city of the States and territories of Australia, state of New South Wales and the List of cities in Australia by population, most populous city in Australia. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Syd ...
. The national team is also lost its ability to defend the gold from
Atlanta Atlanta ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Georgia (U.S. state), most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia. It is the county seat, seat of Fulton County, Georg ...
in
Sydney Sydney is the capital city of the States and territories of Australia, state of New South Wales and the List of cities in Australia by population, most populous city in Australia. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Syd ...
.


First Červar era (2002–2010)

Once the team reached bottom with their results, being ranked last or in 16th place at the 2002 European Championship, in March 2002 the
Federation A federation (also called a federal state) is an entity characterized by a political union, union of partially federated state, self-governing provinces, states, or other regions under a #Federal governments, federal government (federalism) ...
entrusted
Lino Červar Lino Červar (born 22 September 1950) is a Croatian retired handball coach. In 2003 he guided Croatia men's national handball team to gold in the 2003 World Championship as well as to gold at the 2004 Olympics. As a member of the largest centr ...
and with him the team that suffered a seven-year drought medal in two years was created into the world champions and Olympic winners. In the period between these two gold medals Croatia is still ranked 4th place at the
European Championships A European Championship is the top level international sports competition between European athletes or sports teams representing their respective countries or professional sports clubs. In the plural, the European Championships also refers t ...
in
2004 2004 was designated as an International Year of Rice by the United Nations, and the International Year to Commemorate the Struggle Against Slavery and Its Abolition (by UNESCO). Events January * January 3 – Flash Airlines Flight 60 ...
in
Slovenia Slovenia, officially the Republic of Slovenia, is a country in Central Europe. It borders Italy to the west, Austria to the north, Hungary to the northeast, Croatia to the south and southeast, and a short (46.6 km) coastline within the Adriati ...
. With Červar in charge Croatia would be at the top of the handball world. With the arrival of
Lino Červar Lino Červar (born 22 September 1950) is a Croatian retired handball coach. In 2003 he guided Croatia men's national handball team to gold in the 2003 World Championship as well as to gold at the 2004 Olympics. As a member of the largest centr ...
and a maturing exceptionally talented new generation including a young
Ivano Balić Ivano Balić (; born 1 April 1979) is a Croatian former professional handballer who is currently part of the coaching staff at RK Split. Renowned for his speed, creativity, movement and charisma as a player, Balić won the 2003 World Men's Handb ...
, the revival of the national team culminated at the 2003 World Championship. The start of the competition was disastrous. Croatia lost in their first match to
Argentina Argentina, officially the Argentine Republic, is a country in the southern half of South America. It covers an area of , making it the List of South American countries by area, second-largest country in South America after Brazil, the fourt ...
who was at the time a punching for serious national teams in official competitions. Although the first half led with 5 goals, but 14 minutes before the end of the match conceded 6 goals. At the end of the match, Croatian handball players fired five successive attacks, and
Mirza Džomba Mirza Džomba (born 28 February 1977) is a Croatian former professional team handball, handball player, World champion in 2003 World Men's Handball Championship, 2003 and Olympic champion in Handball at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Men's tournam ...
20 seconds before the end missed the equalizer. How Croatian players badly played that match was proven by the fact they missed 6 penalty shots. During halftime of the second match against another underdog
Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), is a country in West Asia. Located in the centre of the Middle East, it covers the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula and has a land area of about , making it the List of Asian countries ...
Croatia was losing with 2 differences and was playing desperately. Yet the team found strength to win this match. The turning point was marvelous – the group's dramatic victories in the end against giants
Russia Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a country spanning Eastern Europe and North Asia. It is the list of countries and dependencies by area, largest country in the world, and extends across Time in Russia, eleven time zones, sharing Borders ...
,
France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...
and
Hungary Hungary is a landlocked country in Central Europe. Spanning much of the Pannonian Basin, Carpathian Basin, it is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine to the northeast, Romania to the east and southeast, Serbia to the south, Croatia and ...
securing first place to the second part where the Croats were convincing against
Egypt Egypt ( , ), officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a country spanning the Northeast Africa, northeast corner of Africa and Western Asia, southwest corner of Asia via the Sinai Peninsula. It is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to northe ...
and
Denmark Denmark is a Nordic countries, Nordic country in Northern Europe. It is the metropole and most populous constituent of the Kingdom of Denmark,, . also known as the Danish Realm, a constitutionally unitary state that includes the Autonomous a ...
. In semi-finals the match went into overtime (4 × 5 minutes) defeating the
Spaniards Spaniards, or Spanish people, are a Romance-speaking ethnic group native to the Iberian Peninsula, primarily associated with the modern nation-state of Spain. Genetically and ethnolinguistically, Spaniards belong to the broader Southern a ...
39:37 (26: 26/31: 31) and in the grand final they outscored
Germany Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It lies between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea to the north and the Alps to the south. Its sixteen States of Germany, constituent states have a total popu ...
34:31 and won their first title of world champions and wrote surely one of the most beautiful story's in the history of Croatian sport. In January 2004 Croatia played at the 2004 European Championship in
Slovenia Slovenia, officially the Republic of Slovenia, is a country in Central Europe. It borders Italy to the west, Austria to the north, Hungary to the northeast, Croatia to the south and southeast, and a short (46.6 km) coastline within the Adriati ...
. They got to the semi-finals where they were knocked out by the hosts 25:27. They finished in fourth place losing the third place match to
Denmark Denmark is a Nordic countries, Nordic country in Northern Europe. It is the metropole and most populous constituent of the Kingdom of Denmark,, . also known as the Danish Realm, a constitutionally unitary state that includes the Autonomous a ...
27:31. In Summer 2004 the
Olympics The modern Olympic Games (Olympics; ) are the world's preeminent international sporting events. They feature summer and winter sports competitions in which thousands of athletes from around the world participate in a variety of competit ...
were held in
Athens Athens ( ) is the Capital city, capital and List of cities and towns in Greece, largest city of Greece. A significant coastal urban area in the Mediterranean, Athens is also the capital of the Attica (region), Attica region and is the southe ...
. The national team continued its dominating play and were undefeated in all eight matches played. They defeated
Iceland Iceland is a Nordic countries, Nordic island country between the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between North America and Europe. It is culturally and politically linked with Europe and is the regi ...
,
Slovenia Slovenia, officially the Republic of Slovenia, is a country in Central Europe. It borders Italy to the west, Austria to the north, Hungary to the northeast, Croatia to the south and southeast, and a short (46.6 km) coastline within the Adriati ...
,
South Korea South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia. It constitutes the southern half of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and borders North Korea along the Korean Demilitarized Zone, with the Yellow Sea to the west and t ...
,
Russia Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a country spanning Eastern Europe and North Asia. It is the list of countries and dependencies by area, largest country in the world, and extends across Time in Russia, eleven time zones, sharing Borders ...
,
Spain Spain, or the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe with territories in North Africa. Featuring the Punta de Tarifa, southernmost point of continental Europe, it is the largest country in Southern Eur ...
,
Greece Greece, officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeast Europe. Located on the southern tip of the Balkan peninsula, it shares land borders with Albania to the northwest, North Macedonia and Bulgaria to the north, and Turkey to th ...
and
Hungary Hungary is a landlocked country in Central Europe. Spanning much of the Pannonian Basin, Carpathian Basin, it is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine to the northeast, Romania to the east and southeast, Serbia to the south, Croatia and ...
before getting to the final. In a dramatic final Croatia defeated
Germany Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It lies between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea to the north and the Alps to the south. Its sixteen States of Germany, constituent states have a total popu ...
26–24 and with the title of world champions they won the Olympic gold. In the last 5 minutes of the match went a goal ahead for Croatia, and then
Nikša Kaleb Nikša Kaleb (born 9 March 1973) is a Croatian former handball player. He is World champion from 2003 with the Croatian national team,
who had not scored no goal with 3 consecutive goals sealed a great victory. The gold was an even greater success considering the fact that Croatia traveled to
Athens Athens ( ) is the Capital city, capital and List of cities and towns in Greece, largest city of Greece. A significant coastal urban area in the Mediterranean, Athens is also the capital of the Attica (region), Attica region and is the southe ...
without their best line player
Renato Sulić Renato Sulić (born 12 November 1979 in Rijeka) is a Croatian handball player who currently plays for RK Zamet. Club career Sulić started his youth career in RK Trsat where very quickly he showed a great capability in playing handball. Soon he ...
who was recovering from a car accident, without important defense player
Tonči Valčić Tonči Valčić (born 9 June 1978) is a Croatian former professional handball player. He was a member of the Croatia national team at the 2008 Summer Olympics. Playing career Valčić began his career in Croatian powerhouse RK Zagreb where h ...
and without Patrik Ćavar who was ill.


Rivalries

Croatia has developed several handball rivalries. Their most played rivalry is against France, which is often considered to be one of the biggest modern handball rivalries since the end of the
Cold War The Cold War was a period of global Geopolitics, geopolitical rivalry between the United States (US) and the Soviet Union (USSR) and their respective allies, the capitalist Western Bloc and communist Eastern Bloc, which lasted from 1947 unt ...
, since Croatia, Denmark, Spain and France are the most successful nations in
handball Handball (also known as team handball, European handball, Olympic handball or indoor handball) is a team sport in which two teams of seven players each (six outcourt players and a goalkeeper) pass a ball using their hands with the aim of thr ...
both in Europe and worldwide. Their second biggest rivalry is with neighbors Slovenia. In recent years, a rivalry with
Spain Spain, or the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe with territories in North Africa. Featuring the Punta de Tarifa, southernmost point of continental Europe, it is the largest country in Southern Eur ...
has also developed, sometimes called the Mediterranean derby. Other rivalries include Denmark, Poland, Germany, Serbia and Hungary.


Results at international competitions

Prior to 1991, Croatia men's national handball team played as a part of
Yugoslavia men's national handball team The Yugoslavia national handball team was the national team handball, handball team of Yugoslavia. It was organized by the Handball Federation of Yugoslavia. The Yugoslav national handball team was made up of a handball p ...
. Croatia played its first match on 14 January 1991 in
Zagreb Zagreb ( ) is the capital (political), capital and List of cities and towns in Croatia#List of cities and towns, largest city of Croatia. It is in the Northern Croatia, north of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the ...
. Team's first opponent was
Japan Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asia, Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea ...
and the match ended tied 23–23.


Overview of achievements at major international competitions


Medal count (major competitions)

Updated after 2025 World Handball Championship Champions   Runners-up   Third place   Fourth place  


Competitive record (major competitions)


Summer Olympics


Competitive record at the Summer Olympics


Competitive record in qualifying rounds


World Championship


Competitive record at the World Championship


Competitive record in qualifying rounds


European Championship


Competitive record at the European Championship


Competitive record in qualifying rounds


Mediterranean Games


Team


Current squad

Roster for the
2025 World Men's Handball Championship The 2025 IHF World Men's Handball Championship was the 29th such event hosted by the International Handball Federation. It was held in Croatia, Denmark and Norway from 14 January to 2 February 2025. This edition marked the first time the world cha ...
. Head coach:
Dagur Sigurðsson Dagur Sigurðsson (born 3 April 1973) is an Icelandic handball coach and former player who is currently the head coach of the Croatia men's national handball team, Croatian men's national team. He spent his career playing for clubs in Iceland, ...


Coaching staff


Head coaches

*
Josip Milković Josip () is a male given name largely found among Croats and Slovenes, a cognate of Joseph. In Croatia, the name Josip was the second most common masculine given name in the decades up to 1959, and has stayed among the top ten most common ones thro ...
(1990–1991) *
Zdravko Zovko Zdravko Zovko (born 28 May 1955) is a retired Croatian handball player. Career Zovko spent his entire playing career in RK Medveščak from Zagreb and in Syracuse, Sicily, for C.C. Ortigia. He won three Yugoslav Cups with the club and during hi ...
(1991–1995) *
Abas Arslanagić Abas Arslanagić (born October 2, 1944) is a Bosnian former handball player and coach who competed for Yugoslavia in the 1972 Summer Olympics and in the 1976 Summer Olympics. In 1972, he was part of the Yugoslav team which won the gold medal at ...
(1995–1996) * Vlado Nekić (1996; Acting) *
Velimir Kljaić Velimir Kljaić (10 February 1946 – 12 August 2010) was a Croatian handball player and coach. Career As a player Kljaić played with RK Medveščak Zagreb and Klagenfurt. As a coach, he won two Croatian championships with RK Zagreb and one Cu ...
(1996) * Ivan Duvnjak (1996; Acting) *
Damir Čavlović Damir Čavlović (born 28 January 1952) is a former Croatian handball player. He has coached clubs such as RK Zamet, RK Split Brodokumer, ŽRK Zamet, ŽRK Tvin Trgocentar and RK Kvarner Kostrena. In 1996 he was also coach of the Croatia men' ...
(1996; Acting) * Josip Glavaš (1997) *
Ilija Puljević Ilija may refer to: * Ilija, Iran, a village in Ardabil Province, Iran * Ilija, Slovakia, a village and municipality in the Banská Štiavnica District, in the Banská Bystrica Region * Ilija (given name), South Slavic given name People with the su ...
(1997–1998) *
Velimir Kljaić Velimir Kljaić (10 February 1946 – 12 August 2010) was a Croatian handball player and coach. Career As a player Kljaić played with RK Medveščak Zagreb and Klagenfurt. As a coach, he won two Croatian championships with RK Zagreb and one Cu ...
(1998–1999) *
Zdravko Zovko Zdravko Zovko (born 28 May 1955) is a retired Croatian handball player. Career Zovko spent his entire playing career in RK Medveščak from Zagreb and in Syracuse, Sicily, for C.C. Ortigia. He won three Yugoslav Cups with the club and during hi ...
(1999–2000) *
Josip Milković Josip () is a male given name largely found among Croats and Slovenes, a cognate of Joseph. In Croatia, the name Josip was the second most common masculine given name in the decades up to 1959, and has stayed among the top ten most common ones thro ...
(2000–2002) *
Lino Červar Lino Červar (born 22 September 1950) is a Croatian retired handball coach. In 2003 he guided Croatia men's national handball team to gold in the 2003 World Championship as well as to gold at the 2004 Olympics. As a member of the largest centr ...
(2002–2010) *
Irfan Smajlagić Irfan "Pipe" Smajlagić (born 16 October 1961) is a Bosnian-born Croatian former handball player and the current coach of Borac Banja Luka. He competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics for Yugoslavia and in the 1996 Summer Olympics for Croatia. In ...
(2003, 2004, and 2005; Acting) *
Slavko Goluža Slavko Goluža (born 17 September 1971) is a retired Croatian handball player and most recently coach of RK Zagreb. Club career Goluža was born in the village of Pješivac-Kula near Stolac. He began his career with RK Mehanika Metković. A ...
(2010–2015) * Željko Babić (2015–2017) *
Lino Červar Lino Červar (born 22 September 1950) is a Croatian retired handball coach. In 2003 he guided Croatia men's national handball team to gold in the 2003 World Championship as well as to gold at the 2004 Olympics. As a member of the largest centr ...
(2017–2021) * Hrvoje Horvat (2021–2023) *
Goran Perkovac Goran Perkovac (born 16 September 1962) is a Croatian handball coach and former player who is the most recently head coach of the Croatia national team. Perkovac competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics and in the 1996 Summer Olympics for Yugoslav ...
(2023–2024) *
Dagur Sigurðsson Dagur Sigurðsson (born 3 April 1973) is an Icelandic handball coach and former player who is currently the head coach of the Croatia men's national handball team, Croatian men's national team. He spent his career playing for clubs in Iceland, ...
(2024–)


Captains

*
Alvaro Načinović Alvaro Načinović (born 22 March 1966) is a former Croatian handball player who competed for Yugoslavia and Croatia respectively. He played for his hometown club Zamet Rijeka with whom he entered into the Yugoslav First League in 1987 after w ...
(1992–1996) *
Goran Perkovac Goran Perkovac (born 16 September 1962) is a Croatian handball coach and former player who is the most recently head coach of the Croatia national team. Perkovac competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics and in the 1996 Summer Olympics for Yugoslav ...
(1996–1998) * Patrik Ćavar (1998–1999) *
Slavko Goluža Slavko Goluža (born 17 September 1971) is a retired Croatian handball player and most recently coach of RK Zagreb. Club career Goluža was born in the village of Pješivac-Kula near Stolac. He began his career with RK Mehanika Metković. A ...
(1999–2006) *
Petar Metličić Petar Metličić (born 25 December 1976) is a Croatian former handball player. He was captain of the Croatian national teamIgor Vori (2009–2015) *
Marko Kopljar Marko Kopljar (born 12 February 1986) is a retired Croatian handball player. He competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, winning the bronze medal. Honours ;Zagreb * Dukat Premier League: 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 *Croati ...
(2015–2016) *
Domagoj Duvnjak Domagoj Duvnjak (born 1 June 1988) is a Croatian professional handball player for THW Kiel. Regarded as one of the best handball players of all time, he was named the IHF World Player of the Year in 2013 and has won over twenty titles playing ...
(2017–2025)


Squads


Major tournaments


Minor tournaments


Medal-winning squads

* Gold medal at the
1993 Mediterranean Games The XII Mediterranean Games, commonly known as the 1993 Mediterranean Games, were the 12th Mediterranean Games. The Games were held in Languedoc-Roussillon, France, from 16 June to 27 June 1993, where 2,598 athletes (1,994 men and 604 women) fr ...
:
Tonči Peribonio Tonči Peribonio (born 3 May 1960) is a Croatian former handball goalkeeper. He is currently a goalkeeper coach at TSG Ketsch. Career Peribonio started his career at RK Krivaja Zavidovići. After nine years at the club he moved to RK Zamet and ...
,
Mirko Bašić Mirko Bašić (born 14 September 1960) is a Croatian former Team handball, handball player who competed for Yugoslavia men's national handball team, Yugoslavia in the 1984 Summer Olympics and in the 1988 Summer Olympics. He has also played six E ...
,
Goran Perkovac Goran Perkovac (born 16 September 1962) is a Croatian handball coach and former player who is the most recently head coach of the Croatia national team. Perkovac competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics and in the 1996 Summer Olympics for Yugoslav ...
,
Alvaro Načinović Alvaro Načinović (born 22 March 1966) is a former Croatian handball player who competed for Yugoslavia and Croatia respectively. He played for his hometown club Zamet Rijeka with whom he entered into the Yugoslav First League in 1987 after w ...
,
Ivica Obrvan Ivica Obrvan (born 2 June 1966) is a Croatian retired handball player and current coach of both, RK Podravka Koprivnica and the Croatia women's national handball team, Croatian women's national team. Honours Player Metković *Croatian Premier H ...
, Bruno Gudelj,
Iztok Puc Iztok Puc (14 September 1966 – 20 October 2011) was a Croatian-Slovenian handball player, who was one of the world's top players of the 1980s and 1990s. During his career he played professionally for Borac Banja Luka, Zagreb, Celje and Prule ...
,
Zlatko Saračević Zlatan "Zlatko" Saračević (5 July 1961 – 21 February 2021) was a Croatian professional handball player and coach who competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics for Yugoslavia men's national handball team, Yugoslavia and in the 1996 Summer Olympics ...
, Ratko Tomljanović,
Vlado Šola Vladimir "Vlado" Šola (born 16 November 1968) is a Croatian handball coach and former player. Born in Prisoje, Tomislavgrad, Prisoje, Šola played the position of goalkeeper on the Croatia men's national handball team, Croatian national team ...
,
Vladimir Jelčić Vladimir Jelčić (born 10 October 1968) is a retired Croatian handball player. He is ex-assistant coach of RK Zagreb. He played for the Croatia national handball team at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, where Croatia won the gold medal. He ...
, Patrik Ćavar,
Irfan Smajlagić Irfan "Pipe" Smajlagić (born 16 October 1961) is a Bosnian-born Croatian former handball player and the current coach of Borac Banja Luka. He competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics for Yugoslavia and in the 1996 Summer Olympics for Croatia. In ...
,
Nenad Kljaić Nenad Kljaić (born 21 December 1966) is a Croatian former handball player and current coach of Greek club Serbia men's national handball team, Serbia. Career Kljaić won two EHF Champions League, European Champions Cups as a player with RK Za ...
** coach:
Zdravko Zovko Zdravko Zovko (born 28 May 1955) is a retired Croatian handball player. Career Zovko spent his entire playing career in RK Medveščak from Zagreb and in Syracuse, Sicily, for C.C. Ortigia. He won three Yugoslav Cups with the club and during hi ...
* Bronze medal at the 1994 European Championship:
Zvonimir Bilić Zvonimir Bilić (born 22 September 1971) is a former Croatian handball player and coach. He played for the national team of Croatia. Honours ;Medveščak Zagreb *Limburgse Handbal Dagen (1): 1993 * Croatian First A League Runner-up (1): 1992 ...
, Patrik Ćavar, Darko Franović,
Slavko Goluža Slavko Goluža (born 17 September 1971) is a retired Croatian handball player and most recently coach of RK Zagreb. Club career Goluža was born in the village of Pješivac-Kula near Stolac. He began his career with RK Mehanika Metković. A ...
, Bruno Gudelj,
Vladimir Jelčić Vladimir Jelčić (born 10 October 1968) is a retired Croatian handball player. He is ex-assistant coach of RK Zagreb. He played for the Croatia national handball team at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, where Croatia won the gold medal. He ...
,
Nenad Kljaić Nenad Kljaić (born 21 December 1966) is a Croatian former handball player and current coach of Greek club Serbia men's national handball team, Serbia. Career Kljaić won two EHF Champions League, European Champions Cups as a player with RK Za ...
,
Valter Matošević Valter Matošević (born 11 June 1970) is a former Croatian team handball player who was at the goalkeeper position. He played for professional teams in Croatia, Germany, Spain, Denmark and Italy. He is current handball coach. He was part of th ...
,
Alvaro Načinović Alvaro Načinović (born 22 March 1966) is a former Croatian handball player who competed for Yugoslavia and Croatia respectively. He played for his hometown club Zamet Rijeka with whom he entered into the Yugoslav First League in 1987 after w ...
,
Ivica Obrvan Ivica Obrvan (born 2 June 1966) is a Croatian retired handball player and current coach of both, RK Podravka Koprivnica and the Croatia women's national handball team, Croatian women's national team. Honours Player Metković *Croatian Premier H ...
,
Tonči Peribonio Tonči Peribonio (born 3 May 1960) is a Croatian former handball goalkeeper. He is currently a goalkeeper coach at TSG Ketsch. Career Peribonio started his career at RK Krivaja Zavidovići. After nine years at the club he moved to RK Zamet and ...
,
Goran Perkovac Goran Perkovac (born 16 September 1962) is a Croatian handball coach and former player who is the most recently head coach of the Croatia national team. Perkovac competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics and in the 1996 Summer Olympics for Yugoslav ...
,
Iztok Puc Iztok Puc (14 September 1966 – 20 October 2011) was a Croatian-Slovenian handball player, who was one of the world's top players of the 1980s and 1990s. During his career he played professionally for Borac Banja Luka, Zagreb, Celje and Prule ...
,
Zlatko Saračević Zlatan "Zlatko" Saračević (5 July 1961 – 21 February 2021) was a Croatian professional handball player and coach who competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics for Yugoslavia men's national handball team, Yugoslavia and in the 1996 Summer Olympics ...
,
Irfan Smajlagić Irfan "Pipe" Smajlagić (born 16 October 1961) is a Bosnian-born Croatian former handball player and the current coach of Borac Banja Luka. He competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics for Yugoslavia and in the 1996 Summer Olympics for Croatia. In ...
,
Vlado Šola Vladimir "Vlado" Šola (born 16 November 1968) is a Croatian handball coach and former player. Born in Prisoje, Tomislavgrad, Prisoje, Šola played the position of goalkeeper on the Croatia men's national handball team, Croatian national team ...
, Ratko Tomljanović ** coach:
Zdravko Zovko Zdravko Zovko (born 28 May 1955) is a retired Croatian handball player. Career Zovko spent his entire playing career in RK Medveščak from Zagreb and in Syracuse, Sicily, for C.C. Ortigia. He won three Yugoslav Cups with the club and during hi ...
* Silver medal at the 1995 World Championship:
Goran Perkovac Goran Perkovac (born 16 September 1962) is a Croatian handball coach and former player who is the most recently head coach of the Croatia national team. Perkovac competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics and in the 1996 Summer Olympics for Yugoslav ...
,
Irfan Smajlagić Irfan "Pipe" Smajlagić (born 16 October 1961) is a Bosnian-born Croatian former handball player and the current coach of Borac Banja Luka. He competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics for Yugoslavia and in the 1996 Summer Olympics for Croatia. In ...
,
Alvaro Načinović Alvaro Načinović (born 22 March 1966) is a former Croatian handball player who competed for Yugoslavia and Croatia respectively. He played for his hometown club Zamet Rijeka with whom he entered into the Yugoslav First League in 1987 after w ...
,
Iztok Puc Iztok Puc (14 September 1966 – 20 October 2011) was a Croatian-Slovenian handball player, who was one of the world's top players of the 1980s and 1990s. During his career he played professionally for Borac Banja Luka, Zagreb, Celje and Prule ...
,
Zlatko Saračević Zlatan "Zlatko" Saračević (5 July 1961 – 21 February 2021) was a Croatian professional handball player and coach who competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics for Yugoslavia men's national handball team, Yugoslavia and in the 1996 Summer Olympics ...
, Patrik Ćavar, Ratko Tomljanović,
Vlado Šola Vladimir "Vlado" Šola (born 16 November 1968) is a Croatian handball coach and former player. Born in Prisoje, Tomislavgrad, Prisoje, Šola played the position of goalkeeper on the Croatia men's national handball team, Croatian national team ...
,
Valter Matošević Valter Matošević (born 11 June 1970) is a former Croatian team handball player who was at the goalkeeper position. He played for professional teams in Croatia, Germany, Spain, Denmark and Italy. He is current handball coach. He was part of th ...
,
Zvonimir Bilić Zvonimir Bilić (born 22 September 1971) is a former Croatian handball player and coach. He played for the national team of Croatia. Honours ;Medveščak Zagreb *Limburgse Handbal Dagen (1): 1993 * Croatian First A League Runner-up (1): 1992 ...
,
Slavko Goluža Slavko Goluža (born 17 September 1971) is a retired Croatian handball player and most recently coach of RK Zagreb. Club career Goluža was born in the village of Pješivac-Kula near Stolac. He began his career with RK Mehanika Metković. A ...
,
Božidar Jović Božidar Jović (born 13 February 1972) is a retired Croatian team handball, handball player and current general manager of RK Zagreb, Zagreb Handball Club. He played for the Croatia men's national handball team at the 1996 Summer Olympics in A ...
, Venio Losert,
Boris Jarak Boris Jarak (born 19 April 1963) is a former Yugoslav/Croatian handball player and coach. Jarak made 49 appearances for the Yugoslavia national team, winning a bronze medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics. He also played 12 matches for the Croat ...
,
Tomislav Farkaš Tomislav (, ) is a Slavic masculine given name, that is widespread amongst the South Slavs. The meaning of the name ''Tomislav'' is thought to have derived from the Old Slavonic verb "'' tomiti''" or "'' tomit" meaning to "''languish''", "''tor ...
, Mirza Šarić ** coach:
Zdravko Zovko Zdravko Zovko (born 28 May 1955) is a retired Croatian handball player. Career Zovko spent his entire playing career in RK Medveščak from Zagreb and in Syracuse, Sicily, for C.C. Ortigia. He won three Yugoslav Cups with the club and during hi ...
* Gold medal at the
1996 Olympics The 1996 Summer Olympics (officially the Games of the XXVI Olympiad, also known as Atlanta 1996 and commonly referred to as the Centennial Olympic Games) were an international multi-sport event held from July 19 to August 4, 1996, in Atlanta, ...
: Patrik Ćavar, Valner Franković,
Slavko Goluža Slavko Goluža (born 17 September 1971) is a retired Croatian handball player and most recently coach of RK Zagreb. Club career Goluža was born in the village of Pješivac-Kula near Stolac. He began his career with RK Mehanika Metković. A ...
, Bruno Gudelj,
Vladimir Jelčić Vladimir Jelčić (born 10 October 1968) is a retired Croatian handball player. He is ex-assistant coach of RK Zagreb. He played for the Croatia national handball team at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, where Croatia won the gold medal. He ...
,
Božidar Jović Božidar Jović (born 13 February 1972) is a retired Croatian team handball, handball player and current general manager of RK Zagreb, Zagreb Handball Club. He played for the Croatia men's national handball team at the 1996 Summer Olympics in A ...
,
Nenad Kljaić Nenad Kljaić (born 21 December 1966) is a Croatian former handball player and current coach of Greek club Serbia men's national handball team, Serbia. Career Kljaić won two EHF Champions League, European Champions Cups as a player with RK Za ...
, Venio Losert,
Valter Matošević Valter Matošević (born 11 June 1970) is a former Croatian team handball player who was at the goalkeeper position. He played for professional teams in Croatia, Germany, Spain, Denmark and Italy. He is current handball coach. He was part of th ...
, Zoran Mikulić,
Alvaro Načinović Alvaro Načinović (born 22 March 1966) is a former Croatian handball player who competed for Yugoslavia and Croatia respectively. He played for his hometown club Zamet Rijeka with whom he entered into the Yugoslav First League in 1987 after w ...
,
Goran Perkovac Goran Perkovac (born 16 September 1962) is a Croatian handball coach and former player who is the most recently head coach of the Croatia national team. Perkovac competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics and in the 1996 Summer Olympics for Yugoslav ...
,
Iztok Puc Iztok Puc (14 September 1966 – 20 October 2011) was a Croatian-Slovenian handball player, who was one of the world's top players of the 1980s and 1990s. During his career he played professionally for Borac Banja Luka, Zagreb, Celje and Prule ...
,
Zlatko Saračević Zlatan "Zlatko" Saračević (5 July 1961 – 21 February 2021) was a Croatian professional handball player and coach who competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics for Yugoslavia men's national handball team, Yugoslavia and in the 1996 Summer Olympics ...
,
Irfan Smajlagić Irfan "Pipe" Smajlagić (born 16 October 1961) is a Bosnian-born Croatian former handball player and the current coach of Borac Banja Luka. He competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics for Yugoslavia and in the 1996 Summer Olympics for Croatia. In ...
, Vladimir Šujster ** coach:
Velimir Kljaić Velimir Kljaić (10 February 1946 – 12 August 2010) was a Croatian handball player and coach. Career As a player Kljaić played with RK Medveščak Zagreb and Klagenfurt. As a coach, he won two Croatian championships with RK Zagreb and one Cu ...
* Gold medal at the
1997 Mediterranean Games The XIII Mediterranean Games, commonly known as the 1997 Mediterranean Games, were the 13th Mediterranean Games. The Games were held in Bari, Italy, from 13 to 25 June 1997, where 2,956 athletes (2,166 men and 790 women) from 21 countries partici ...
:
Goran Perkovac Goran Perkovac (born 16 September 1962) is a Croatian handball coach and former player who is the most recently head coach of the Croatia national team. Perkovac competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics and in the 1996 Summer Olympics for Yugoslav ...
,
Valter Matošević Valter Matošević (born 11 June 1970) is a former Croatian team handball player who was at the goalkeeper position. He played for professional teams in Croatia, Germany, Spain, Denmark and Italy. He is current handball coach. He was part of th ...
, Valner Franković,
Božidar Jović Božidar Jović (born 13 February 1972) is a retired Croatian team handball, handball player and current general manager of RK Zagreb, Zagreb Handball Club. He played for the Croatia men's national handball team at the 1996 Summer Olympics in A ...
, Miro Barišić,
Mario Bjeliš Mario (; ) is a character created by the Japanese game designer Shigeru Miyamoto. He is the star of the ''Mario'' franchise, a recurring character in the ''Donkey Kong'' franchise, and the mascot of the Japanese video game company Nintendo. ...
, Goran Jerković,
Mirza Džomba Mirza Džomba (born 28 February 1977) is a Croatian former professional team handball, handball player, World champion in 2003 World Men's Handball Championship, 2003 and Olympic champion in Handball at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Men's tournam ...
, Enes Halkić,
Davor Dominiković Davor Dominiković (born 7 April 1978) is a Croatian former professional handball player, who is the current handball coach for the Croatia national under-21 team & TuS Vinnhorst.Silvio Ivandija, Igor Kos,
Dragan Jerković Dragan (, sr-Cyrl, Драган) is a South Slavic masculine given name derived from the common Slavic element '' drag'' meaning "dear, beloved". The feminine form is Dragana. People named Dragan include: Politicians and office holders *Draga ...
,
Neno Boban Neno may refer to: *Neno (name) Neno is a Croatian and Serbian given name of Slavic origin that is a diminutive form of Nenad in Croatia and Serbia. It is also a nickname and surname. Nickname * Neno (footballer, born 1962), Portuguese professi ...
,
Mario Kelentrić Mario Kelentrić (born 30 January 1973) is a retired Croatian handball player who is currently the goalkeeping coach of the Bosnian national team and RK Vardar 1961. He has played for clubs in Croatia, Slovenia, Germany and France. He is not ...
, Mladen Prskalo ** coach:
Velimir Kljaić Velimir Kljaić (10 February 1946 – 12 August 2010) was a Croatian handball player and coach. Career As a player Kljaić played with RK Medveščak Zagreb and Klagenfurt. As a coach, he won two Croatian championships with RK Zagreb and one Cu ...
* Gold medal at the
2001 Mediterranean Games The XIV Mediterranean Games (), commonly known as the 2001 Mediterranean Games, were the 14th Mediterranean Games held in Tunis, Tunisia, from 2–15 September 2001, where 2,991 athletes (1,972 men and 1,019 women) from 23 countries participated. ...
:
Ivano Balić Ivano Balić (; born 1 April 1979) is a Croatian former professional handballer who is currently part of the coaching staff at RK Split. Renowned for his speed, creativity, movement and charisma as a player, Balić won the 2003 World Men's Handb ...
, Tihomir Baltić,
Zvonimir Bilić Zvonimir Bilić (born 22 September 1971) is a former Croatian handball player and coach. He played for the national team of Croatia. Honours ;Medveščak Zagreb *Limburgse Handbal Dagen (1): 1993 * Croatian First A League Runner-up (1): 1992 ...
,
Davor Dominiković Davor Dominiković (born 7 April 1978) is a Croatian former professional handball player, who is the current handball coach for the Croatia national under-21 team & TuS Vinnhorst.Mirza Džomba Mirza Džomba (born 28 February 1977) is a Croatian former professional team handball, handball player, World champion in 2003 World Men's Handball Championship, 2003 and Olympic champion in Handball at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Men's tournam ...
,
Slavko Goluža Slavko Goluža (born 17 September 1971) is a retired Croatian handball player and most recently coach of RK Zagreb. Club career Goluža was born in the village of Pješivac-Kula near Stolac. He began his career with RK Mehanika Metković. A ...
,
Božidar Jović Božidar Jović (born 13 February 1972) is a retired Croatian team handball, handball player and current general manager of RK Zagreb, Zagreb Handball Club. He played for the Croatia men's national handball team at the 1996 Summer Olympics in A ...
,
Mario Kelentrić Mario Kelentrić (born 30 January 1973) is a retired Croatian handball player who is currently the goalkeeping coach of the Bosnian national team and RK Vardar 1961. He has played for clubs in Croatia, Slovenia, Germany and France. He is not ...
, Igor Kos, Blaženko Lacković,
Valter Matošević Valter Matošević (born 11 June 1970) is a former Croatian team handball player who was at the goalkeeper position. He played for professional teams in Croatia, Germany, Spain, Denmark and Italy. He is current handball coach. He was part of th ...
, Diego Modrušan, Goran Šprem,
Renato Sulić Renato Sulić (born 12 November 1979 in Rijeka) is a Croatian handball player who currently plays for RK Zamet. Club career Sulić started his youth career in RK Trsat where very quickly he showed a great capability in playing handball. Soon he ...
,
Vedran Zrnić Vedran Zrnić (born 26 September 1979) is a Croatian former professional handball player. He is World champion from 2003, and Olympic champion from 2004 with the Croatia national team.Josip Milković Josip () is a male given name largely found among Croats and Slovenes, a cognate of Joseph. In Croatia, the name Josip was the second most common masculine given name in the decades up to 1959, and has stayed among the top ten most common ones thro ...
* Gold medal at the 2003 World Championship:
Ivano Balić Ivano Balić (; born 1 April 1979) is a Croatian former professional handballer who is currently part of the coaching staff at RK Split. Renowned for his speed, creativity, movement and charisma as a player, Balić won the 2003 World Men's Handb ...
,
Davor Dominiković Davor Dominiković (born 7 April 1978) is a Croatian former professional handball player, who is the current handball coach for the Croatia national under-21 team & TuS Vinnhorst.Mirza Džomba Mirza Džomba (born 28 February 1977) is a Croatian former professional team handball, handball player, World champion in 2003 World Men's Handball Championship, 2003 and Olympic champion in Handball at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Men's tournam ...
,
Slavko Goluža Slavko Goluža (born 17 September 1971) is a retired Croatian handball player and most recently coach of RK Zagreb. Club career Goluža was born in the village of Pješivac-Kula near Stolac. He began his career with RK Mehanika Metković. A ...
,
Božidar Jović Božidar Jović (born 13 February 1972) is a retired Croatian team handball, handball player and current general manager of RK Zagreb, Zagreb Handball Club. He played for the Croatia men's national handball team at the 1996 Summer Olympics in A ...
,
Nikša Kaleb Nikša Kaleb (born 9 March 1973) is a Croatian former handball player. He is World champion from 2003 with the Croatian national team,
,
Mario Kelentrić Mario Kelentrić (born 30 January 1973) is a retired Croatian handball player who is currently the goalkeeping coach of the Bosnian national team and RK Vardar 1961. He has played for clubs in Croatia, Slovenia, Germany and France. He is not ...
, Blaženko Lacković,
Valter Matošević Valter Matošević (born 11 June 1970) is a former Croatian team handball player who was at the goalkeeper position. He played for professional teams in Croatia, Germany, Spain, Denmark and Italy. He is current handball coach. He was part of th ...
,
Petar Metličić Petar Metličić (born 25 December 1976) is a Croatian former handball player. He was captain of the Croatian national teamVlado Šola Vladimir "Vlado" Šola (born 16 November 1968) is a Croatian handball coach and former player. Born in Prisoje, Tomislavgrad, Prisoje, Šola played the position of goalkeeper on the Croatia men's national handball team, Croatian national team ...
,
Denis Špoljarić Denis Špoljarić (born 20 August 1979) is a Croatian former handball player who currently works as an assistant coach of RK Zagreb. He was a World champion in 2003 with the Croatian national team,Goran Šprem,
Renato Sulić Renato Sulić (born 12 November 1979 in Rijeka) is a Croatian handball player who currently plays for RK Zamet. Club career Sulić started his youth career in RK Trsat where very quickly he showed a great capability in playing handball. Soon he ...
,
Tonči Valčić Tonči Valčić (born 9 June 1978) is a Croatian former professional handball player. He was a member of the Croatia national team at the 2008 Summer Olympics. Playing career Valčić began his career in Croatian powerhouse RK Zagreb where h ...
, Igor Vori,
Vedran Zrnić Vedran Zrnić (born 26 September 1979) is a Croatian former professional handball player. He is World champion from 2003, and Olympic champion from 2004 with the Croatia national team.Lino Červar Lino Červar (born 22 September 1950) is a Croatian retired handball coach. In 2003 he guided Croatia men's national handball team to gold in the 2003 World Championship as well as to gold at the 2004 Olympics. As a member of the largest centr ...
* Gold medal at the
2004 Olympics The 2004 Summer Olympics (), officially the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad (), and officially branded as Athens 2004 (), were an international multi-sport event held from 13 to 29 August 2004 in Athens, Greece. The Games saw 10,625 athletes ...
:
Ivano Balić Ivano Balić (; born 1 April 1979) is a Croatian former professional handballer who is currently part of the coaching staff at RK Split. Renowned for his speed, creativity, movement and charisma as a player, Balić won the 2003 World Men's Handb ...
,
Davor Dominiković Davor Dominiković (born 7 April 1978) is a Croatian former professional handball player, who is the current handball coach for the Croatia national under-21 team & TuS Vinnhorst.Mirza Džomba Mirza Džomba (born 28 February 1977) is a Croatian former professional team handball, handball player, World champion in 2003 World Men's Handball Championship, 2003 and Olympic champion in Handball at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Men's tournam ...
,
Slavko Goluža Slavko Goluža (born 17 September 1971) is a retired Croatian handball player and most recently coach of RK Zagreb. Club career Goluža was born in the village of Pješivac-Kula near Stolac. He began his career with RK Mehanika Metković. A ...
,
Nikša Kaleb Nikša Kaleb (born 9 March 1973) is a Croatian former handball player. He is World champion from 2003 with the Croatian national team,
, Blaženko Lacković, Venio Losert,
Valter Matošević Valter Matošević (born 11 June 1970) is a former Croatian team handball player who was at the goalkeeper position. He played for professional teams in Croatia, Germany, Spain, Denmark and Italy. He is current handball coach. He was part of th ...
,
Petar Metličić Petar Metličić (born 25 December 1976) is a Croatian former handball player. He was captain of the Croatian national teamVlado Šola Vladimir "Vlado" Šola (born 16 November 1968) is a Croatian handball coach and former player. Born in Prisoje, Tomislavgrad, Prisoje, Šola played the position of goalkeeper on the Croatia men's national handball team, Croatian national team ...
,
Denis Špoljarić Denis Špoljarić (born 20 August 1979) is a Croatian former handball player who currently works as an assistant coach of RK Zagreb. He was a World champion in 2003 with the Croatian national team,Goran Šprem, Igor Vori, Drago Vuković,
Vedran Zrnić Vedran Zrnić (born 26 September 1979) is a Croatian former professional handball player. He is World champion from 2003, and Olympic champion from 2004 with the Croatia national team.Lino Červar Lino Červar (born 22 September 1950) is a Croatian retired handball coach. In 2003 he guided Croatia men's national handball team to gold in the 2003 World Championship as well as to gold at the 2004 Olympics. As a member of the largest centr ...
* Silver medal at the 2005 World Championship: Venio Losert,
Nikša Kaleb Nikša Kaleb (born 9 March 1973) is a Croatian former handball player. He is World champion from 2003 with the Croatian national team,
,
Ivano Balić Ivano Balić (; born 1 April 1979) is a Croatian former professional handballer who is currently part of the coaching staff at RK Split. Renowned for his speed, creativity, movement and charisma as a player, Balić won the 2003 World Men's Handb ...
, Blaženko Lacković,
Vedran Zrnić Vedran Zrnić (born 26 September 1979) is a Croatian former professional handball player. He is World champion from 2003, and Olympic champion from 2004 with the Croatia national team.Igor Vori,
Davor Dominiković Davor Dominiković (born 7 April 1978) is a Croatian former professional handball player, who is the current handball coach for the Croatia national under-21 team & TuS Vinnhorst.Mirza Džomba Mirza Džomba (born 28 February 1977) is a Croatian former professional team handball, handball player, World champion in 2003 World Men's Handball Championship, 2003 and Olympic champion in Handball at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Men's tournam ...
,
Vlado Šola Vladimir "Vlado" Šola (born 16 November 1968) is a Croatian handball coach and former player. Born in Prisoje, Tomislavgrad, Prisoje, Šola played the position of goalkeeper on the Croatia men's national handball team, Croatian national team ...
, Zoran Jeftić,
Slavko Goluža Slavko Goluža (born 17 September 1971) is a retired Croatian handball player and most recently coach of RK Zagreb. Club career Goluža was born in the village of Pješivac-Kula near Stolac. He began his career with RK Mehanika Metković. A ...
,
Nikola Blažičko Nikola Blažičko (born 13 September 1977) is a former Croatian handball goalkeeper and co-trainer at Nettelstedt-Lübbecke. Early life Blažičko grew up in Rijeka. His parents Duško and Nada were also handball players, so him becoming a hand ...
, Goran Šprem,
Denis Špoljarić Denis Špoljarić (born 20 August 1979) is a Croatian former handball player who currently works as an assistant coach of RK Zagreb. He was a World champion in 2003 with the Croatian national team,Petar Metličić Petar Metličić (born 25 December 1976) is a Croatian former handball player. He was captain of the Croatian national teamDenis Buntić Denis Buntić (born 13 November 1982) is a retired Croatian handball player. He is a retired player of the Croatian national team. Buntić was born in Ljubuški, SR Bosnia and Herzegovina, SFR Yugoslavia. He won the silver medal at the 2005 W ...
** coach:
Lino Červar Lino Červar (born 22 September 1950) is a Croatian retired handball coach. In 2003 he guided Croatia men's national handball team to gold in the 2003 World Championship as well as to gold at the 2004 Olympics. As a member of the largest centr ...
* Silver medal at the
2005 Mediterranean Games The XVth Mediterranean Games Almería 2005 (XV Juegos del Mediterráneo 2005 in Spanish), commonly known as the 2005 Mediterranean Games, were the 15th Mediterranean Games. The Games were held in Almería, Spain over 10 days, from 24 June to 3 Ju ...
:
Damir Bičanić Damir Bičanić (born 29 July 1985) is a Croatian handball player, playing for RK Zagreb and the Croatian national team. He competed for the Croatian national team at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Honours ;RK Zagreb * Croatian Premier ...
,
Nikola Blažičko Nikola Blažičko (born 13 September 1977) is a former Croatian handball goalkeeper and co-trainer at Nettelstedt-Lübbecke. Early life Blažičko grew up in Rijeka. His parents Duško and Nada were also handball players, so him becoming a hand ...
,
Denis Buntić Denis Buntić (born 13 November 1982) is a retired Croatian handball player. He is a retired player of the Croatian national team. Buntić was born in Ljubuški, SR Bosnia and Herzegovina, SFR Yugoslavia. He won the silver medal at the 2005 W ...
,
Josip Čale Josip () is a male given name largely found among Croats and Slovenes, a cognate of Joseph. In Croatia, the name Josip was the second most common masculine given name in the decades up to 1959, and has stayed among the top ten most common ones thro ...
,
Ivan Čupić Ivan Čupić (born 27 March 1986) is a Croatian former handball player. He was inducted into the EHF Hall of Fame in 2024. Career He was selected by the Croatian national team for the 2009 World Men's Handball Championship. He scored 8 goals in ...
,
Zlatko Horvat Zlatko Horvat (born 25 September 1984) is a Croatian handball player for RK Dubrava Zagreb. Career Since 2003 Horvat's Zagreb has not lost a match in the domestic league and cup. Horvat has reached the quarter-final of the EHF Champions League ...
,
Tomislav Huljina Tomislav (, ) is a Slavic masculine given name, that is widespread amongst the South Slavs. The meaning of the name ''Tomislav'' is thought to have derived from the Old Slavonic verb "'' tomiti''" or "'' tomit" meaning to "''languish''", "''tor ...
,
Krešimir Ivanković Krešimir Ivanković (born 13 September 1977) is a Croatian handball player. He currently plays at RK Medvečak in the * Croatian Premier League. Ivanković is the brother of Vedran Zrnić. Honours ;Badel 1862 Zagreb * Croatian First A Leagu ...
,
Marin Knez Marin or Marín (Italian "sailor") may refer to: People * Marin (name), including a list of persons with the given name or Italian surname. * MaRin, in-game name of professional South Korean ''League of Legends'' player Jang Gyeong-hwan (born 19 ...
,
Branimir Koloper Branimir () is a Slavic male given name. It is a combination of the (Slavic) verb ''braniti'' ("to defend") and the noun ''mir'' ("the world" or "peace" in Old Slavic), and hence means "the one who defends the world/peace". It is especially common ...
, Mario Obad, Vladimir Ostarčević, Ivan Pongračić,
Vjenceslav Somić Wenceslaus, Wenceslas, Wenzeslaus and Wenzslaus (and other similar names) are Latinized forms of the Czech name Václav. The other language versions of the name are , , , , , , among others. It originated as a Latin spelling for Czech rulers. It ...
,
Ljubo Vukić Ljubo Vukić (born 3 August 1982) is a Croatian team handball, handball player. Born in Split (city), Split, he was a member of the Croatia men's national handball team at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. References

19 ...
, Drago Vuković ** coach:
Lino Červar Lino Červar (born 22 September 1950) is a Croatian retired handball coach. In 2003 he guided Croatia men's national handball team to gold in the 2003 World Championship as well as to gold at the 2004 Olympics. As a member of the largest centr ...
* Silver medal at the 2008 European Championship:
Nikša Kaleb Nikša Kaleb (born 9 March 1973) is a Croatian former handball player. He is World champion from 2003 with the Croatian national team,
,
Renato Sulić Renato Sulić (born 12 November 1979 in Rijeka) is a Croatian handball player who currently plays for RK Zamet. Club career Sulić started his youth career in RK Trsat where very quickly he showed a great capability in playing handball. Soon he ...
,
Ivano Balić Ivano Balić (; born 1 April 1979) is a Croatian former professional handballer who is currently part of the coaching staff at RK Split. Renowned for his speed, creativity, movement and charisma as a player, Balić won the 2003 World Men's Handb ...
,
Domagoj Duvnjak Domagoj Duvnjak (born 1 June 1988) is a Croatian professional handball player for THW Kiel. Regarded as one of the best handball players of all time, he was named the IHF World Player of the Year in 2013 and has won over twenty titles playing ...
, Blaženko Lacković, Igor Vori,
Davor Dominiković Davor Dominiković (born 7 April 1978) is a Croatian former professional handball player, who is the current handball coach for the Croatia national under-21 team & TuS Vinnhorst.Vjenceslav Somić Wenceslaus, Wenceslas, Wenzeslaus and Wenzslaus (and other similar names) are Latinized forms of the Czech name Václav. The other language versions of the name are , , , , , , among others. It originated as a Latin spelling for Czech rulers. It ...
,
Zlatko Horvat Zlatko Horvat (born 25 September 1984) is a Croatian handball player for RK Dubrava Zagreb. Career Since 2003 Horvat's Zagreb has not lost a match in the domestic league and cup. Horvat has reached the quarter-final of the EHF Champions League ...
, Drago Vuković,
Dragan Jerković Dragan (, sr-Cyrl, Драган) is a South Slavic masculine given name derived from the common Slavic element '' drag'' meaning "dear, beloved". The feminine form is Dragana. People named Dragan include: Politicians and office holders *Draga ...
,
Denis Špoljarić Denis Špoljarić (born 20 August 1979) is a Croatian former handball player who currently works as an assistant coach of RK Zagreb. He was a World champion in 2003 with the Croatian national team,Petar Metličić Petar Metličić (born 25 December 1976) is a Croatian former handball player. He was captain of the Croatian national teamJosip Valčić Josip Valčić (born 21 April 1984) is a retired Croatian handball Handball (also known as team handball, European handball, Olympic handball or indoor handball) is a team sport in which two teams of seven players each (six outcourt players ...
,
Ljubo Vukić Ljubo Vukić (born 3 August 1982) is a Croatian team handball, handball player. Born in Split (city), Split, he was a member of the Croatia men's national handball team at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. References

19 ...
,
Tonči Valčić Tonči Valčić (born 9 June 1978) is a Croatian former professional handball player. He was a member of the Croatia national team at the 2008 Summer Olympics. Playing career Valčić began his career in Croatian powerhouse RK Zagreb where h ...
,
Mirko Alilović Mirko Alilović (born 15 September 1985) is a Croatian handball goalkeeper for Wisła Płock. He won the silver medals both, on the World Championship (2009) and the European Championship (2008, 2010), and a bronze at the 2012 Summer Olympics. ...
,
Ivan Čupić Ivan Čupić (born 27 March 1986) is a Croatian former handball player. He was inducted into the EHF Hall of Fame in 2024. Career He was selected by the Croatian national team for the 2009 World Men's Handball Championship. He scored 8 goals in ...
** coach:
Lino Červar Lino Červar (born 22 September 1950) is a Croatian retired handball coach. In 2003 he guided Croatia men's national handball team to gold in the 2003 World Championship as well as to gold at the 2004 Olympics. As a member of the largest centr ...
* Silver medal at the 2009 World Championship: Venio Losert, Mateo Hrvatin,
Ivano Balić Ivano Balić (; born 1 April 1979) is a Croatian former professional handballer who is currently part of the coaching staff at RK Split. Renowned for his speed, creativity, movement and charisma as a player, Balić won the 2003 World Men's Handb ...
,
Domagoj Duvnjak Domagoj Duvnjak (born 1 June 1988) is a Croatian professional handball player for THW Kiel. Regarded as one of the best handball players of all time, he was named the IHF World Player of the Year in 2013 and has won over twenty titles playing ...
, Blaženko Lacković,
Vedran Zrnić Vedran Zrnić (born 26 September 1979) is a Croatian former professional handball player. He is World champion from 2003, and Olympic champion from 2004 with the Croatia national team.Marko Kopljar Marko Kopljar (born 12 February 1986) is a retired Croatian handball player. He competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, winning the bronze medal. Honours ;Zagreb * Dukat Premier League: 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 *Croati ...
, Igor Vori,
Jakov Gojun Jakov Gojun (born 18 April 1986) is a Croatian handball player who plays for RK Zagreb and Croatia men's national handball team, Croatian national team. He competed for the Croatia national team at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, winning the ...
,
Zlatko Horvat Zlatko Horvat (born 25 September 1984) is a Croatian handball player for RK Dubrava Zagreb. Career Since 2003 Horvat's Zagreb has not lost a match in the domestic league and cup. Horvat has reached the quarter-final of the EHF Champions League ...
, Ivan Pešić, Goran Šprem,
Denis Špoljarić Denis Špoljarić (born 20 August 1979) is a Croatian former handball player who currently works as an assistant coach of RK Zagreb. He was a World champion in 2003 with the Croatian national team,Petar Metličić Petar Metličić (born 25 December 1976) is a Croatian former handball player. He was captain of the Croatian national teamDenis Buntić Denis Buntić (born 13 November 1982) is a retired Croatian handball player. He is a retired player of the Croatian national team. Buntić was born in Ljubuški, SR Bosnia and Herzegovina, SFR Yugoslavia. He won the silver medal at the 2005 W ...
,
Josip Valčić Josip Valčić (born 21 April 1984) is a retired Croatian handball Handball (also known as team handball, European handball, Olympic handball or indoor handball) is a team sport in which two teams of seven players each (six outcourt players ...
,
Tonči Valčić Tonči Valčić (born 9 June 1978) is a Croatian former professional handball player. He was a member of the Croatia national team at the 2008 Summer Olympics. Playing career Valčić began his career in Croatian powerhouse RK Zagreb where h ...
,
Mirko Alilović Mirko Alilović (born 15 September 1985) is a Croatian handball goalkeeper for Wisła Płock. He won the silver medals both, on the World Championship (2009) and the European Championship (2008, 2010), and a bronze at the 2012 Summer Olympics. ...
,
Ivan Čupić Ivan Čupić (born 27 March 1986) is a Croatian former handball player. He was inducted into the EHF Hall of Fame in 2024. Career He was selected by the Croatian national team for the 2009 World Men's Handball Championship. He scored 8 goals in ...
,
Dalibor Anušić Dalibor may refer to: *Dalibor (name) Dalibor (Cyrillic script: Далибор) is primarily a male given name of Slavic origin, mostly in the Czech Republic. The name is popular in some West Slavic and South Slavic countries, such as Slovaki ...
,
Ivan Ninčević Ivan Ninčević (born 27 November 1981) is a former Croatian handball player. He competed for the Croatian national team at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, winning the bronze medal. Honours ;Zagreb * Croatian First League (5): 2000-01, 2001 ...
** coach:
Lino Červar Lino Červar (born 22 September 1950) is a Croatian retired handball coach. In 2003 he guided Croatia men's national handball team to gold in the 2003 World Championship as well as to gold at the 2004 Olympics. As a member of the largest centr ...
* Silver medal at the 2010 European Championship:
Ivano Balić Ivano Balić (; born 1 April 1979) is a Croatian former professional handballer who is currently part of the coaching staff at RK Split. Renowned for his speed, creativity, movement and charisma as a player, Balić won the 2003 World Men's Handb ...
,
Domagoj Duvnjak Domagoj Duvnjak (born 1 June 1988) is a Croatian professional handball player for THW Kiel. Regarded as one of the best handball players of all time, he was named the IHF World Player of the Year in 2013 and has won over twenty titles playing ...
, Blaženko Lacković,
Vedran Zrnić Vedran Zrnić (born 26 September 1979) is a Croatian former professional handball player. He is World champion from 2003, and Olympic champion from 2004 with the Croatia national team.Marko Kopljar Marko Kopljar (born 12 February 1986) is a retired Croatian handball player. He competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, winning the bronze medal. Honours ;Zagreb * Dukat Premier League: 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 *Croati ...
, Igor Vori,
Jakov Gojun Jakov Gojun (born 18 April 1986) is a Croatian handball player who plays for RK Zagreb and Croatia men's national handball team, Croatian national team. He competed for the Croatia national team at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, winning the ...
, Goran Čarapina, Drago Vuković, Vedran Mataija,
Damir Bičanić Damir Bičanić (born 29 July 1985) is a Croatian handball player, playing for RK Zagreb and the Croatian national team. He competed for the Croatian national team at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Honours ;RK Zagreb * Croatian Premier ...
,
Denis Buntić Denis Buntić (born 13 November 1982) is a retired Croatian handball player. He is a retired player of the Croatian national team. Buntić was born in Ljubuški, SR Bosnia and Herzegovina, SFR Yugoslavia. He won the silver medal at the 2005 W ...
,
Tonči Valčić Tonči Valčić (born 9 June 1978) is a Croatian former professional handball player. He was a member of the Croatia national team at the 2008 Summer Olympics. Playing career Valčić began his career in Croatian powerhouse RK Zagreb where h ...
,
Mirko Alilović Mirko Alilović (born 15 September 1985) is a Croatian handball goalkeeper for Wisła Płock. He won the silver medals both, on the World Championship (2009) and the European Championship (2008, 2010), and a bronze at the 2012 Summer Olympics. ...
, Manuel Štrlek,
Ivan Čupić Ivan Čupić (born 27 March 1986) is a Croatian former handball player. He was inducted into the EHF Hall of Fame in 2024. Career He was selected by the Croatian national team for the 2009 World Men's Handball Championship. He scored 8 goals in ...
,
Željko Musa Željko Musa (born 8 January 1986) is a retired Croatian handball player. Honours Gorenje Velenje *Slovenian First League The Slovenian PrvaLiga (, ), currently named Prva liga Telemach due to sponsorship reasons, also known by the abbreviati ...
, Luka Raković. ** coach:
Lino Červar Lino Červar (born 22 September 1950) is a Croatian retired handball coach. In 2003 he guided Croatia men's national handball team to gold in the 2003 World Championship as well as to gold at the 2004 Olympics. As a member of the largest centr ...
* Bronze medal at the 2012 European Championship:
Ivano Balić Ivano Balić (; born 1 April 1979) is a Croatian former professional handballer who is currently part of the coaching staff at RK Split. Renowned for his speed, creativity, movement and charisma as a player, Balić won the 2003 World Men's Handb ...
,
Domagoj Duvnjak Domagoj Duvnjak (born 1 June 1988) is a Croatian professional handball player for THW Kiel. Regarded as one of the best handball players of all time, he was named the IHF World Player of the Year in 2013 and has won over twenty titles playing ...
, Blaženko Lacković,
Marko Kopljar Marko Kopljar (born 12 February 1986) is a retired Croatian handball player. He competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, winning the bronze medal. Honours ;Zagreb * Dukat Premier League: 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 *Croati ...
, Igor Vori,
Jakov Gojun Jakov Gojun (born 18 April 1986) is a Croatian handball player who plays for RK Zagreb and Croatia men's national handball team, Croatian national team. He competed for the Croatia national team at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, winning the ...
, Venio Losert,
Zlatko Horvat Zlatko Horvat (born 25 September 1984) is a Croatian handball player for RK Dubrava Zagreb. Career Since 2003 Horvat's Zagreb has not lost a match in the domestic league and cup. Horvat has reached the quarter-final of the EHF Champions League ...
, Drago Vuković,
Damir Bičanić Damir Bičanić (born 29 July 1985) is a Croatian handball player, playing for RK Zagreb and the Croatian national team. He competed for the Croatian national team at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Honours ;RK Zagreb * Croatian Premier ...
,
Denis Buntić Denis Buntić (born 13 November 1982) is a retired Croatian handball player. He is a retired player of the Croatian national team. Buntić was born in Ljubuški, SR Bosnia and Herzegovina, SFR Yugoslavia. He won the silver medal at the 2005 W ...
,
Mirko Alilović Mirko Alilović (born 15 September 1985) is a Croatian handball goalkeeper for Wisła Płock. He won the silver medals both, on the World Championship (2009) and the European Championship (2008, 2010), and a bronze at the 2012 Summer Olympics. ...
, Manuel Štrlek,
Ivan Čupić Ivan Čupić (born 27 March 1986) is a Croatian former handball player. He was inducted into the EHF Hall of Fame in 2024. Career He was selected by the Croatian national team for the 2009 World Men's Handball Championship. He scored 8 goals in ...
,
Željko Musa Željko Musa (born 8 January 1986) is a retired Croatian handball player. Honours Gorenje Velenje *Slovenian First League The Slovenian PrvaLiga (, ), currently named Prva liga Telemach due to sponsorship reasons, also known by the abbreviati ...
,
Ivan Ninčević Ivan Ninčević (born 27 November 1981) is a former Croatian handball player. He competed for the Croatian national team at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, winning the bronze medal. Honours ;Zagreb * Croatian First League (5): 2000-01, 2001 ...
** coach:
Slavko Goluža Slavko Goluža (born 17 September 1971) is a retired Croatian handball player and most recently coach of RK Zagreb. Club career Goluža was born in the village of Pješivac-Kula near Stolac. He began his career with RK Mehanika Metković. A ...
* Bronze medal at the
2012 Olympics The 2012 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the XXX Olympiad and also known as London 2012, were an international multi-sport event held from 27 July to 12 August 2012 in London, England, United Kingdom. The first event, the ...
: Venio Losert,
Ivano Balić Ivano Balić (; born 1 April 1979) is a Croatian former professional handballer who is currently part of the coaching staff at RK Split. Renowned for his speed, creativity, movement and charisma as a player, Balić won the 2003 World Men's Handb ...
,
Domagoj Duvnjak Domagoj Duvnjak (born 1 June 1988) is a Croatian professional handball player for THW Kiel. Regarded as one of the best handball players of all time, he was named the IHF World Player of the Year in 2013 and has won over twenty titles playing ...
, Blaženko Lacković,
Marko Kopljar Marko Kopljar (born 12 February 1986) is a retired Croatian handball player. He competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, winning the bronze medal. Honours ;Zagreb * Dukat Premier League: 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 *Croati ...
, Igor Vori,
Jakov Gojun Jakov Gojun (born 18 April 1986) is a Croatian handball player who plays for RK Zagreb and Croatia men's national handball team, Croatian national team. He competed for the Croatia national team at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, winning the ...
,
Zlatko Horvat Zlatko Horvat (born 25 September 1984) is a Croatian handball player for RK Dubrava Zagreb. Career Since 2003 Horvat's Zagreb has not lost a match in the domestic league and cup. Horvat has reached the quarter-final of the EHF Champions League ...
, Drago Vuković,
Damir Bičanić Damir Bičanić (born 29 July 1985) is a Croatian handball player, playing for RK Zagreb and the Croatian national team. He competed for the Croatian national team at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Honours ;RK Zagreb * Croatian Premier ...
,
Denis Buntić Denis Buntić (born 13 November 1982) is a retired Croatian handball player. He is a retired player of the Croatian national team. Buntić was born in Ljubuški, SR Bosnia and Herzegovina, SFR Yugoslavia. He won the silver medal at the 2005 W ...
,
Mirko Alilović Mirko Alilović (born 15 September 1985) is a Croatian handball goalkeeper for Wisła Płock. He won the silver medals both, on the World Championship (2009) and the European Championship (2008, 2010), and a bronze at the 2012 Summer Olympics. ...
, Manuel Štrlek,
Ivan Čupić Ivan Čupić (born 27 March 1986) is a Croatian former handball player. He was inducted into the EHF Hall of Fame in 2024. Career He was selected by the Croatian national team for the 2009 World Men's Handball Championship. He scored 8 goals in ...
,
Ivan Ninčević Ivan Ninčević (born 27 November 1981) is a former Croatian handball player. He competed for the Croatian national team at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, winning the bronze medal. Honours ;Zagreb * Croatian First League (5): 2000-01, 2001 ...
** coach:
Slavko Goluža Slavko Goluža (born 17 September 1971) is a retired Croatian handball player and most recently coach of RK Zagreb. Club career Goluža was born in the village of Pješivac-Kula near Stolac. He began his career with RK Mehanika Metković. A ...
* Bronze medal at the 2013 World Championship:
Mirko Alilović Mirko Alilović (born 15 September 1985) is a Croatian handball goalkeeper for Wisła Płock. He won the silver medals both, on the World Championship (2009) and the European Championship (2008, 2010), and a bronze at the 2012 Summer Olympics. ...
, Filip Ivić,
Ivan Čupić Ivan Čupić (born 27 March 1986) is a Croatian former handball player. He was inducted into the EHF Hall of Fame in 2024. Career He was selected by the Croatian national team for the 2009 World Men's Handball Championship. He scored 8 goals in ...
,
Zlatko Horvat Zlatko Horvat (born 25 September 1984) is a Croatian handball player for RK Dubrava Zagreb. Career Since 2003 Horvat's Zagreb has not lost a match in the domestic league and cup. Horvat has reached the quarter-final of the EHF Champions League ...
, Manuel Štrlek,
Lovro Šprem Lovro is a masculine given name. Notable people with the name include: *Lovro Artuković (born 1959), Croatian painter and graphic artist who primarily paints large scale figurative canvases *Lovro Cvek (born 1995), Croatian footballer *Lovro Dobri ...
,
Marko Kopljar Marko Kopljar (born 12 February 1986) is a retired Croatian handball player. He competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, winning the bronze medal. Honours ;Zagreb * Dukat Premier League: 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 *Croati ...
, Luka Stepančić,
Domagoj Duvnjak Domagoj Duvnjak (born 1 June 1988) is a Croatian professional handball player for THW Kiel. Regarded as one of the best handball players of all time, he was named the IHF World Player of the Year in 2013 and has won over twenty titles playing ...
,
Jakov Gojun Jakov Gojun (born 18 April 1986) is a Croatian handball player who plays for RK Zagreb and Croatia men's national handball team, Croatian national team. He competed for the Croatia national team at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, winning the ...
,
Damir Bičanić Damir Bičanić (born 29 July 1985) is a Croatian handball player, playing for RK Zagreb and the Croatian national team. He competed for the Croatian national team at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Honours ;RK Zagreb * Croatian Premier ...
, Drago Vuković, Stipe Mandalinić, Blaženko Lacković, Igor Vori,
Marino Marić Marino Marić (born 1 June 1990) is a Croatian professional handball player for TVB Stuttgart and the Croatian national team. He participated at the 2016, 2018 Events January * January 1 – Bulgaria takes over the Presidency of ...
,
Ivan Ninčević Ivan Ninčević (born 27 November 1981) is a former Croatian handball player. He competed for the Croatian national team at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, winning the bronze medal. Honours ;Zagreb * Croatian First League (5): 2000-01, 2001 ...
** coach:
Slavko Goluža Slavko Goluža (born 17 September 1971) is a retired Croatian handball player and most recently coach of RK Zagreb. Club career Goluža was born in the village of Pješivac-Kula near Stolac. He began his career with RK Mehanika Metković. A ...
* Silver medal at the
2013 Mediterranean Games The 2013 Mediterranean Games (), officially known as the XVII Mediterranean Games () and commonly known as Mersin 2013, was an international multi-sport event held from 20 to 30 June 2013 in Mersin, Turkey. Mersin was announced as the host cit ...
: Ivan Pešić, Ivan Stevanović, Hrvoje Batinović,
Lovro Šprem Lovro is a masculine given name. Notable people with the name include: *Lovro Artuković (born 1959), Croatian painter and graphic artist who primarily paints large scale figurative canvases *Lovro Cvek (born 1995), Croatian footballer *Lovro Dobri ...
,
Jerko Matulić Jerko Matulić (born 20 April 1990) is a Croatian handball player. He participated at the 2017 World Men's Handball Championship The 2017 IHF World Men's Handball Championship was the 25th event hosted by the International Handball Federation. ...
, Nik Dominik Tominec,
Marino Marić Marino Marić (born 1 June 1990) is a Croatian professional handball player for TVB Stuttgart and the Croatian national team. He participated at the 2016, 2018 Events January * January 1 – Bulgaria takes over the Presidency of ...
, Filip Gavranović, Ivan Slišković,
Stefan Vujić Stefan Vujić ( sr-cyr, Стефан Вујић; born 6 July 1991) is a Croatian-born Serbian handball player for CS Minaur Baia Mare (men's handball), Minaur Baia Mare and the Serbia men's national handball team, Serbian national team. Internat ...
, Marko Matic, Luka Stepančić, Robert Markotić,
Igor Karačić Igor Karačić (born 2 November 1988) is a Croatian handball player for Industria Kielce. His older brother Ivan Karačić plays for Bosnia and Herzegovina while his younger brother Goran Karačić is a football goalkeeper who plays for Adanas ...
, Damir Batinović,
Josip Vidović Josip () is a male given name largely found among Croats and Slovenes, a cognate of Joseph. In Croatia, the name Josip was the second most common masculine given name in the decades up to 1959, and has stayed among the top ten most common ones thro ...
** coach:
Slavko Goluža Slavko Goluža (born 17 September 1971) is a retired Croatian handball player and most recently coach of RK Zagreb. Club career Goluža was born in the village of Pješivac-Kula near Stolac. He began his career with RK Mehanika Metković. A ...
* Bronze medal at the 2016 European Championship: Ivan Stevanović,
Marino Marić Marino Marić (born 1 June 1990) is a Croatian professional handball player for TVB Stuttgart and the Croatian national team. He participated at the 2016, 2018 Events January * January 1 – Bulgaria takes over the Presidency of ...
,
Domagoj Duvnjak Domagoj Duvnjak (born 1 June 1988) is a Croatian professional handball player for THW Kiel. Regarded as one of the best handball players of all time, he was named the IHF World Player of the Year in 2013 and has won over twenty titles playing ...
,
Marko Kopljar Marko Kopljar (born 12 February 1986) is a retired Croatian handball player. He competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, winning the bronze medal. Honours ;Zagreb * Dukat Premier League: 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 *Croati ...
,
Jakov Gojun Jakov Gojun (born 18 April 1986) is a Croatian handball player who plays for RK Zagreb and Croatia men's national handball team, Croatian national team. He competed for the Croatia national team at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, winning the ...
,
Zlatko Horvat Zlatko Horvat (born 25 September 1984) is a Croatian handball player for RK Dubrava Zagreb. Career Since 2003 Horvat's Zagreb has not lost a match in the domestic league and cup. Horvat has reached the quarter-final of the EHF Champions League ...
,
Igor Karačić Igor Karačić (born 2 November 1988) is a Croatian handball player for Industria Kielce. His older brother Ivan Karačić plays for Bosnia and Herzegovina while his younger brother Goran Karačić is a football goalkeeper who plays for Adanas ...
,
Krešimir Kozina Krešimir Kozina (born 25 June 1990) is a Croatian handball player for Frisch Auf Göppingen and the Croatian national team. Club career Kozina started his youth career in RK Matulji before establishing himself in Zamet the premier handball c ...
,
Mirko Alilović Mirko Alilović (born 15 September 1985) is a Croatian handball goalkeeper for Wisła Płock. He won the silver medals both, on the World Championship (2009) and the European Championship (2008, 2010), and a bronze at the 2012 Summer Olympics. ...
, Manuel Štrlek,
Ivan Čupić Ivan Čupić (born 27 March 1986) is a Croatian former handball player. He was inducted into the EHF Hall of Fame in 2024. Career He was selected by the Croatian national team for the 2009 World Men's Handball Championship. He scored 8 goals in ...
,
Antonio Kovačević Antonio Kovačević (born 21 May 1987) is a Croatian handball player who plays for Csurgói KK and the Croatian national team. He competed at the 2016 European Men's Handball Championship The 2016 EHF European Men's Handball Championship w ...
,
Marko Mamić Marko Mamić (born 6 March 1994) is a Croatian handball player for SC DHfK Leipzig SC DHfK Leipzig e. V. ''(Sportclub Deutsche Hochschule für Körperkultur Leipzig e. V.)'' is a sports club in Leipzig, Germany. It was established in 1954 as a ...
,
Luka Šebetić Luka Šebetić (born 26 May 1994) is a Croatian handball player who plays for GWD Minden and the Croatian national team. He competed at the 2016 European Men's Handball Championship The 2016 EHF European Men's Handball Championship was the ...
, Ivan Slišković,
Luka Cindrić Luka Cindrić (born 5 July 1993) is a Croatian professional handball player for ONE Veszprém and the Croatian national team. He participated at the 2019 World Men's Handball Championship. Honours Individual awards * EHF Player of the Year: 2 ...
,
Ilija Brozović Ilija Brozović (born 26 May 1991) is a Croatian handball player for RD Slovan and the Croatian national team. Honours ;RK Zagreb * Dukat Premier League: 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14. 2014–15 *Croatian Cup: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 *SEHA Lea ...
** coach: Željko Babić * Silver medal at the 2020 European Championship:
Marino Marić Marino Marić (born 1 June 1990) is a Croatian professional handball player for TVB Stuttgart and the Croatian national team. He participated at the 2016, 2018 Events January * January 1 – Bulgaria takes over the Presidency of ...
,
Domagoj Duvnjak Domagoj Duvnjak (born 1 June 1988) is a Croatian professional handball player for THW Kiel. Regarded as one of the best handball players of all time, he was named the IHF World Player of the Year in 2013 and has won over twenty titles playing ...
,
Matej Hrstić Matej Hrstić (born 11 August 1996) is a Croatian handball player for Limoges Handball and the Croatian national team. He represented Croatia at the 2020 European Men's Handball Championship The 2020 EHF European Men's Handball Championsh ...
, Luka Stepančić,
Zlatko Horvat Zlatko Horvat (born 25 September 1984) is a Croatian handball player for RK Dubrava Zagreb. Career Since 2003 Horvat's Zagreb has not lost a match in the domestic league and cup. Horvat has reached the quarter-final of the EHF Champions League ...
, Josip Šarac,
Igor Karačić Igor Karačić (born 2 November 1988) is a Croatian handball player for Industria Kielce. His older brother Ivan Karačić plays for Bosnia and Herzegovina while his younger brother Goran Karačić is a football goalkeeper who plays for Adanas ...
,
Željko Musa Željko Musa (born 8 January 1986) is a retired Croatian handball player. Honours Gorenje Velenje *Slovenian First League The Slovenian PrvaLiga (, ), currently named Prva liga Telemach due to sponsorship reasons, also known by the abbreviati ...
,
Marko Mamić Marko Mamić (born 6 March 1994) is a Croatian handball player for SC DHfK Leipzig SC DHfK Leipzig e. V. ''(Sportclub Deutsche Hochschule für Körperkultur Leipzig e. V.)'' is a sports club in Leipzig, Germany. It was established in 1954 as a ...
,
Luka Cindrić Luka Cindrić (born 5 July 1993) is a Croatian professional handball player for ONE Veszprém and the Croatian national team. He participated at the 2019 World Men's Handball Championship. Honours Individual awards * EHF Player of the Year: 2 ...
,
Ilija Brozović Ilija Brozović (born 26 May 1991) is a Croatian handball player for RD Slovan and the Croatian national team. Honours ;RK Zagreb * Dukat Premier League: 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14. 2014–15 *Croatian Cup: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 *SEHA Lea ...
, Vlado Matanović,
David Mandić David Mandić (born 14 September 1997) is a handball player for MT Melsungen and the Croatian national team. Mandić participated at the 2019 World Men's Handball Championship. He is the cousin of fellow handball player Matej Mandić, who als ...
, Valentino Ravnić,
Marin Šipić Marin Šipić (born 29 April 1996) is a Croatian handball player for HC Kriens-Luzern and the Croatian national team. He represented Croatia at the 2020 European Men's Handball Championship The 2020 EHF European Men's Handball Championsh ...
,
Marin Šego Marin Šego (born 2 August 1985) is a retired Croatian handball player. He participated at the 2019 World Championship and the 2020 European Championship with Croatia. Honours ;Izviđač Ljubuški * Bosnia and Herzegovina Premier League: 2003 ...
, Matej Ašanin ** coach:
Lino Červar Lino Červar (born 22 September 1950) is a Croatian retired handball coach. In 2003 he guided Croatia men's national handball team to gold in the 2003 World Championship as well as to gold at the 2004 Olympics. As a member of the largest centr ...
* Silver medal at the 2025 World Championship:
Dominik Kuzmanović Dominik Kuzmanović (born 15 August 2002) is a Croatian handball player for German club VfL Gummersbach and the Croatian national team. Early life Kuzmanović was born on 15 August 2002 in Dugo Selo. He started playing handball at the age of f ...
,
Domagoj Duvnjak Domagoj Duvnjak (born 1 June 1988) is a Croatian professional handball player for THW Kiel. Regarded as one of the best handball players of all time, he was named the IHF World Player of the Year in 2013 and has won over twenty titles playing ...
, Mario Šoštarič, Luka Lovre Klarica,
Josip Šimić Josip Šimić (born 16 September 1977) is a retired Croatian football striker. He is the younger brother of Dario Šimić. Club career Šimić started his professional career with Dinamo Zagreb in 1993, when the club was known as Croatia Zagreb ...
, Zvonimir Srna,
Ivano Pavlović Ivano may refer to: People * Ivano Baldanzeddu (born 1986), Italian football player * Ivano Balić (born 1979), Croatian handballer * Ivano Bamberghi (born 1949), Italian speed skater * Ivano Beggio (1944–2018), Italian businessman * Ivano Ber ...
,
Igor Karačić Igor Karačić (born 2 November 1988) is a Croatian handball player for Industria Kielce. His older brother Ivan Karačić plays for Bosnia and Herzegovina while his younger brother Goran Karačić is a football goalkeeper who plays for Adanas ...
,
Mateo Maraš Mateo Maraš (born 17 December 2000) is a Croatian handball player for Paris Saint-Germain Handball, Paris Saint-Germain and for the Croatia men's national handball team, Croatian national team. Career Club Mateo started his career in the RK Bal ...
,
Marko Mamić Marko Mamić (born 6 March 1994) is a Croatian handball player for SC DHfK Leipzig SC DHfK Leipzig e. V. ''(Sportclub Deutsche Hochschule für Körperkultur Leipzig e. V.)'' is a sports club in Leipzig, Germany. It was established in 1954 as a ...
,
Luka Cindrić Luka Cindrić (born 5 July 1993) is a Croatian professional handball player for ONE Veszprém and the Croatian national team. He participated at the 2019 World Men's Handball Championship. Honours Individual awards * EHF Player of the Year: 2 ...
, Ivan Pešić,
David Mandić David Mandić (born 14 September 1997) is a handball player for MT Melsungen and the Croatian national team. Mandić participated at the 2019 World Men's Handball Championship. He is the cousin of fellow handball player Matej Mandić, who als ...
, Tin Lučin, Ivan Martinović, Leon Šušnja,
Marin Šipić Marin Šipić (born 29 April 1996) is a Croatian handball player for HC Kriens-Luzern and the Croatian national team. He represented Croatia at the 2020 European Men's Handball Championship The 2020 EHF European Men's Handball Championsh ...
, Filip Glavaš,
Marin Jelinić Marin or Marín (Italian "sailor") may refer to: People * Marin (name), including a list of persons with the given name or Italian surname. * MaRin, in-game name of professional South Korean ''League of Legends'' player Jang Gyeong-hwan (born 19 ...
,
Veron Načinović Veron Načinović (born 7 March 2000) is a Croatian handball player who plays for THW Kiel THW Kiel is a professional handball club from Kiel, Germany. Currently, they compete in the Handball-Bundesliga and are the record champion with 23 ...
** coach:
Dagur Sigurðsson Dagur Sigurðsson (born 3 April 1973) is an Icelandic handball coach and former player who is currently the head coach of the Croatia men's national handball team, Croatian men's national team. He spent his career playing for clubs in Iceland, ...


Notable players

*
Alvaro Načinović Alvaro Načinović (born 22 March 1966) is a former Croatian handball player who competed for Yugoslavia and Croatia respectively. He played for his hometown club Zamet Rijeka with whom he entered into the Yugoslav First League in 1987 after w ...
** Franjo Bučar State Award for Sport: 1996 *
Irfan Smajlagić Irfan "Pipe" Smajlagić (born 16 October 1961) is a Bosnian-born Croatian former handball player and the current coach of Borac Banja Luka. He competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics for Yugoslavia and in the 1996 Summer Olympics for Croatia. In ...
** part of the all-star team of the 1995 World Championship as the best right wing ** Best Croatian handballer of 1995 by Croatian Handball Federation, CHF & Sportske novosti, SN ** part of the all-star team of the Handball at the 1996 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament, 1996 Olympic tournament as the best right wing ** Franjo Bučar State Award for Sport: 1996 and 2004 * Patrik Ćavar ** Best Croatian handballer of 1994, 1997 and 2000 by Croatian Handball Federation, CHF & Sportske novosti, SN ** top scorer and part of the all-star team of the Handball at the 1996 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament, 1996 Olympic tournament as the best left wing ** Franjo Bučar State Award for Sport: 1996 **Best % of goals scored for the national team – 5.33 **2nd top goalscorer of the national team – 639 goals *
Ivano Balić Ivano Balić (; born 1 April 1979) is a Croatian former professional handballer who is currently part of the coaching staff at RK Split. Renowned for his speed, creativity, movement and charisma as a player, Balić won the 2003 World Men's Handb ...
** IHF World Player of the Year 2003 and 2006 ** Sportske novosti awards, Croatian Sportsman of the Year: 2007 ** MVP and part of the all-star team of the 2004 European Championship as the best centre back ** part of the all-star team of the Handball at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament, 2004 Olympic tournament as the best centre back ** MVP and part of the all-star team of the 2005 World Championship as the best centre back ** MVP and part of the all-star team of the 2006 European Men's Handball Championship, 2006 European Championship as the best centre back ** MVP of the 2007 World Men's Handball Championship, 2007 World Championship ** top scorer and part of the all-star team of the 2008 European Championship as the best centre back *
Mirza Džomba Mirza Džomba (born 28 February 1977) is a Croatian former professional team handball, handball player, World champion in 2003 World Men's Handball Championship, 2003 and Olympic champion in Handball at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Men's tournam ...
** part of the all-star team of the 2003 World Championship as the best right wing ** MVP and top scorer of the 2004 European Championship ** part of the all-star team of the Handball at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament, 2004 Olympic tournament as the best right wing ** Franjo Bučar State Award for Sport: 2004 ** part of the all-star team of the 2005 World Championship as the best right wing ** Best Croatian handballer of 2005 by Croatian Handball Federation, CHF & Sportske novosti, SN **Best right wing in the history by European Handball Federation, EHF **All-time goalscorer of the national team – 719 goals *
Valter Matošević Valter Matošević (born 11 June 1970) is a former Croatian team handball player who was at the goalkeeper position. He played for professional teams in Croatia, Germany, Spain, Denmark and Italy. He is current handball coach. He was part of th ...
**2nd best goalkeeper at 1995 World Championship ** Best Croatian handballer of 1995 by Croatian Handball Federation, CHF & Sportske novosti, SN ** Franjo Bučar State Award for Sport: 1996 and 2004 ** Record in the national team for the number of saves in one match – 24 *
Slavko Goluža Slavko Goluža (born 17 September 1971) is a retired Croatian handball player and most recently coach of RK Zagreb. Club career Goluža was born in the village of Pješivac-Kula near Stolac. He began his career with RK Mehanika Metković. A ...
** Franjo Bučar State Award for Sport: 1996, 2004 and 2009 **Best Croatian
handball Handball (also known as team handball, European handball, Olympic handball or indoor handball) is a team sport in which two teams of seven players each (six outcourt players and a goalkeeper) pass a ball using their hands with the aim of thr ...
player by Croatian Handball Federation, CHF & Sportske novosti: 2001 **:hr:Trofej MOO-a, Trophy MOO for sports and promoting optimism: 2007 * Igor Vori ** best defence player of the 2008 European Championship ** MVP and part of the all-star team of the 2009 World Championship as the best pivot ** part of the all-star team of the 2010 European Championship as the best pivot *
Ivan Čupić Ivan Čupić (born 27 March 1986) is a Croatian former handball player. He was inducted into the EHF Hall of Fame in 2024. Career He was selected by the Croatian national team for the 2009 World Men's Handball Championship. He scored 8 goals in ...
** part of the all-star team of the 2009 World Championship as the best right wing ** part of the all-star team of the Handball at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament, 2012 Olympic tournament as the best right wing * Blaženko Lacković ** part of the all-star team of the 2009 World Championship as the best left back *
Jakov Gojun Jakov Gojun (born 18 April 1986) is a Croatian handball player who plays for RK Zagreb and Croatia men's national handball team, Croatian national team. He competed for the Croatia national team at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, winning the ...
** best defence player of the 2010 European Championship * Manuel Štrlek ** part of the all-star team of the 2010 European Championship as the best left wing ** part of the all-star team of the 2016 European Championship as the best left wing *
Vedran Zrnić Vedran Zrnić (born 26 September 1979) is a Croatian former professional handball player. He is World champion from 2003, and Olympic champion from 2004 with the Croatia national team.Marko Kopljar Marko Kopljar (born 12 February 1986) is a retired Croatian handball player. He competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, winning the bronze medal. Honours ;Zagreb * Dukat Premier League: 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 *Croati ...
** part of the all-star team of the 2012 European Championship as the best right back *
Domagoj Duvnjak Domagoj Duvnjak (born 1 June 1988) is a Croatian professional handball player for THW Kiel. Regarded as one of the best handball players of all time, he was named the IHF World Player of the Year in 2013 and has won over twenty titles playing ...
** IHF World Player of the Year 2013 ** part of the all-star team of the 2013 World Championship as the best playmaker ** part of the all-star team of the 2014 European Men's Handball Championship, 2014 European Championship as the best centre back ** part of the all-star team of the 2017 World Men's Handball Championship, 2017 World Championship as the best centre back ** MVP of the 2020 European Championship * Venio Losert ** Franjo Bučar State Award for Sport: 1996 and 2004 ** 3rd best goalkeeper at Handball at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament, 2004 Summer Olympics *
Davor Dominiković Davor Dominiković (born 7 April 1978) is a Croatian former professional handball player, who is the current handball coach for the Croatia national under-21 team & TuS Vinnhorst.Iztok Puc Iztok Puc (14 September 1966 – 20 October 2011) was a Croatian-Slovenian handball player, who was one of the world's top players of the 1980s and 1990s. During his career he played professionally for Borac Banja Luka, Zagreb, Celje and Prule ...
** Franjo Bučar State Award for Sport: 1996


Statistics


Most appearances


Top scorers

''Players that played for Croatian National Handball Team after the breakup of Yugoslavia and
collected 100+ caps combined for Yugoslavian and Croatian National Handball Teams.''


Record against other teams

''As of 22 January 2025''


Biggest wins

''Double digit goal difference''


Biggest losses


Awards

The Croatia national handball team has received numerous award throughout the years.


Senior squad

*Sportske novosti awards team of the year: 1995, 1996, 2003, 2004 and 2009 *Franjo Bučar State Award for Sport: 1996 and 2004 *:hr:Izbor najuspješnijih športaša HOO-a, Selection of the most successful athletes by Croatian Olympic Committee, COC male team: 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2009 *:hr:Izbor najuspješnijih športaša HOO-a, Selection of the most successful athletes by Croatian Olympic Committee, COC for promoting
Croatia Croatia, officially the Republic of Croatia, is a country in Central Europe, Central and Southeast Europe, on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. It borders Slovenia to the northwest, Hungary to the northeast, Serbia to the east, Bosnia and Herze ...
: 2003, 2004 and 2012 *Ivica Kurtini, Ivica Jobo Kurtini Award – 2004


U-19 squad

*Dražen Petrović Award: 2007 and 2009


See also

*Croatia women's national handball team *Croatia men's national beach handball team, Croatia national beach handball team *Croatia women's national beach handball team


References


External links

*
IHF profile
{{DEFAULTSORT:Croatia men's national handball team Men's national handball teams Handball in Croatia National sports teams of Croatia, Handball Recipients of the Charter of the Republic of Croatia