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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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
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 ...
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 ...
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' ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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, ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
,
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 ...
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 ...
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 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. ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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,
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
,
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.
...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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.
...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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.
...
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 ...
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 ...
,
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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. ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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.
...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
,
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 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 ...
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 ...
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