IHF WORLD CUP: DRAMA AND QUARTERFINALS BELONGED TO CROATIA

CROATIA – SLOVENIA 29:26
CROATIA: D. Kuzmanović 8/23, I. Pešić 4/14, D. Duvnjak 1/1, M. Šoštarić 3/3, J. Šimić -/-, Z. Srna 2/5, I. Pavlović 3/6, I. Karačić 2/4, M. Maraš 3/5, M. Mamić -/-, D. Mandić 0/2, T. Lučin -/-, I. Martinović 5/9, L. Šušnja -/-, M. Šipić 5/5, F. Glavaš 5/6, Coach: Dagur Sigurdsson (ISL)
SLOVENIA: J. Baznik -/-, K. Ferlin 6/27, U. Lesjak 4/11, B. Blagotinšek -/-, B. Janc 3/5, J. Dolenec 1/2, T. Kljun -/-, S. Jovičić Slatinek 2/4, T. Kodrin 3/5, M. Zarabec 2/3, K. Horžen 3/4, D. Makuc 3/3, M. Kavčić -/-, B. Mačkovšek 2/4, D. Novak 1/2, A. Vlah 5/7, Selectman: Uroš Zorman

The Croatian men’s senior national team beat Slovenia 29:26 in the 3rd round of the Main Group 4 and thus reached the quarterfinals. Hungary is waiting there on Tuesday, January 28, at 6 p.m. Along with Croatia, Egypt also qualified from our group and will play against France on the same day at 9 p.m..

The arena was once again filled and in the familiar ecstasy of the fans. After Iceland beat Argentina and Egypt got Cape Verde, the Croatian national team needed a victory against Slovenia to advance to the quarterfinals. In addition, she would secure number one in the group, avoiding France and going to Hungary in the quarter-finals. Before the match, the coach made one change, including Tino Lučin instead of Marin Jelinić.

After Nejc Cehte’s injury, Slovenia was left without Rok Ovnicek, who injured his knee against Egypt. Therefore, Uroš Zorman played with three goalkeepers because he did not want to call anyone later just for this match.

Croatia’s starting line-up was as follows: Dominik Kuzmanović in goal, David Mandić and Filip Glavaš on the wings, and Marin Šipić on the line. Zvonimir Srna, Igor Karačić and Ivan Martinović were in the outer line.

Slovenia was waiting for us in defense, 6-0, with “skyscrapers” Borut Mačkovšek and Blažo Blagotinšek in the middle. Croatia missed five opening attacks, and the Slovenians realized theirs and took a 0:5 lead. A slight nervousness could be felt on the Croatian bench. As they did not score a goal for six and a half minutes, the coach had to call for a minute of rest. It was the beginning of a nightmare.

He made a menu change at the door. Ivan Pešić entered. And immediately made two saves. Croatia scored its first goal after less than eight minutes of play. Filip Glavaš scored it into an empty net because Slovenia was without a goalkeeper since they had been sent off. With two goals by Ivan Pavlović after that, in the 11th minute, we came to minus three (3:6). Croatia had finally caught up.

At the end of the 14th minute, David Mandić injured his finger and had to go to the bench. That’s how Marin Šipić went to the wing. We followed the rhythm of the Slovenians with a goal-for-goal game, but the defense was never able to connect and stop something. That’s why captain Domagoj Duvnjak had to go on the field in the 18th minute. And immediately, they laid him on the ground to welcome him. Soon, David Mandić returned to the game.

Ten minutes before the break, Slovenia was five points ahead (7:12). But then the Croatian handball players scored three goals in a row and came within two goals behind (10:12). It was easier to breathe. Mateo Maraš adjusted his left and hit perfectly. And that’s precisely what Croatia needed to shake the Slovenian defense and goalkeeper a bit.

In those moments, Croatia changed its defense. And they played 5-1 with Marko Mamić up front like they did against Iceland. And Dominik Kuzmanović stood at the door. Three minutes before the break, we were just a goal behind (14:15). In those moments, Slovenia decided to play defense with deep exits on the outside. But that didn’t help them either because, in the 29th minute, Croatia equalized at 15:15. The arena exploded. There were also players on the field, so there was a lot of nervousness in the end, and there was almost a showdown. Whole benches ran in to calm it down. The Czech referees remained silent,t and there were no expulsions on either side.

With a 5-1 defense, we started the second half. Mario Šoštarić opened it brilliantly on our side with two consecutive goals. It was played goal by goal. It was waiting to see who would be the first to make a mistake or give in. Slovenia did it, or Dominik Kuzmanović forced them to do it with their great defense. Croatia scored on the other side with one less player and took the lead for the first time in the 39th minute (20:19).

After that, both teams’ execution stopped, and the match crumbled. In the 46th minute, Croatia went to plus two for the first time (24:22). The arena shook with happiness and satisfaction. It was necessary to continue playing like that because there was a lot of time until the end.

The Croats came back to defend 6-0. Slovenia went seven minutes without a goal. At the start of the last ten minutes, Croatia increased its advantage to three points (25:22). In those moments, calmness was needed in the game, so Domagoj Duvnjak had to retake the field.

Croatia struggled a bit in the end, but it’s no wonder because the match was exhausting. Urban Lesjak restored hope to Slovenia with several saves and caused us additional concern. But luckily, in those critical moments, our dear Dominik Kuzmanović, our good fairy, was there to watch over us. And when, in the 57th minute, the captain scored for 28:25, everyone could breathe a sigh of relief. It ended 29:26. Croatian goalkeepers made 12 saves (Dominik Kuzmanović 8, Ivan Pešić 4). Marin Šipić, who was also chosen as the player of the match, Ivan Martinović and Filip Glavaš scored five goals each. With Slovenia, the best Aleks Vlah also scored five goals.

In other Main Group 4 meetings, Iceland beat Argentina 30:21, and Egypt beat Cape Verde 31:24. In the end, three national teams each have eight points. Croatia is the first due to the most significant difference between them; Egypt is the second, and the championship is over for Iceland. Slovenia is fourth with four points, Argentina has two, and the Republic of Cape Verde is last with no points.

Therefore, Croatia, which will play Hungary, and Egypt, which welcomes France, will advance to the quarterfinals of our group. The quarterfinals are scheduled for Tuesday, January 28, 2025. Croatia will play against Hungary at 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., and France and Egypt will take to the field of the Zagreb Arena.

WC 2025: MAIN GROUP 4, 3rd ROUND
ICELAND – ARGENTINA 30:21
EGYPT – REPUBLIC OF NORTH GREEN 31:24
CROATIA – SLOVENIA 29:26

TABLE:
CROATIA 8 POINTS
EGYPT 8 POINTS
ICELAND 8 POINTS
SLOVENIA 4 POINTS
ARGENTINA 2 POINTS
ZEL. REPUBLIC 0 POINTS

SOURCE: Croatian Handball Federation