IHF WORLD CUP: HOW NICE TO SAY IT – CROATIA IS IN THE FINAL

CROATIA – FRANCE 31:28
CROATIA: D. Kuzmanović 15/43, I. Pešić -/-, D. Duvnjak -/-, M. Šoštarić -/-, L. L. Klarica -/-, J. Šimić -/-, Z. Srna 7/11, I. Karačić 1/2, M. Maraš 4/8, M. Mamić -/-, T. Lučin 1/2, I. Martinović 6/13, L. Šušnja -/-, M. Šipić 2/3, F. Glavaš 3/4, M. Jelinić 7/7, Coach: Dagur Sigurdsson (ISL)
FRANCE: R. Desbonet 6/26, C. Bolzinger 5/15, A. Minne 3/3, N. Remili 1/4, J. Bos 0/1, E. Prandi 1/2, M. Richardson 1/2, D. Mem 8/13, N. Tournat 2/2, M. Grebille 1/2, L. Karabatić -/-, L. Fabregas 4/5, B. Kounkoud 3/5, D. Nahi 2/3, K. O. Konan -/-, T. Briet 2/4, Coach: Gilleume Gille

Croatia beat France 31:28 and qualified for the final of the 29th World Handball Championship. It sounds unreal, but it is true. It is our fifth final of the world cups, tenth in total from major competitions.

Like never before, the Arena was packed an hour before the start of the match. The atmosphere is difficult to describe. Probably like never before. The Croatian coach made one change in the team for this match. Thus, Igor Karačić found himself in the lineup, and the place on the stand went to Ivan Pavlović.

The French played in the same formation as against Egypt. And they were waiting for us in the 6-0 defense, with the most potent forces in the middle where Karl Konan, Ludovic Fabregas, and Thibaut Briet were. Croatia’s starting line-up was with Dominik Kuzmanović in goal. Marin Jelinić and Filip Glavaš were on the wings, Marin Šipić was on the line, and Zvonimir Srna, Ivan Martinović and Mateo Maraš were on the outside. We changed two defense-attack players. Ivan Martinović and Marin Šipić went to the bench, while Marko Mamić and Leon Šušnja entered.

We had our dream opening. In less than three and a half minutes, Croatia led 3:1. France responded quickly and tied the game at 3:3 after two counterattacks after good defensive reactions. But our handball players were not afraid of it. Indeed. They found a way and, in the 11th minute, went to plus three (7:4). Two minutes later, they were already four points behind, forcing the French coach to ask for the first minute of rest.

After the first tie, Croatia made the series 6:2 and showed that it knows and can, although heavily wounded, play against the big favorite. Even in moments when there are fewer players. Very wisely, smartly, and patiently, our players built their attacks and did not allow the French defense to come to the fore. Croatia was hitting from all sides, and they looked phenomenal. In the 21st minute, Croatia was at a slightly unbelievable seven points (14:7).

Guillaume Gille practically changed the entire line-up he had at his disposal. But he failed to find a motivated six that could deal with the Croatian defense in which Marko Mamić played the lion’s share as our most advanced player in the 5-1 defense.

Five minutes before the break, when we went eight goals ahead for the second time, the French bench had to react. She also took a second minute of rest, which has not yet happened at the championship. And, of course, she had received as many as 16 hits by then.

At the end of the first half, the scoreboard read 18:11. It seemed unreal, and everyone had to check several times and pinch themselves that we weren’t dreaming. In 28 semi-finals of significant competitions, France has never been seven goals down at halftime. Croatia was at 64, France at 65 percent of realization. Dominik Kuzmanović had five saves, and the two French goalkeepers had six. Three each.

But it was only the first half. We had to play like that for another 30 minutes. For a new page of excellent handball history. The French continued to take the maximum risk, with a profound defense of 4-2 with strict exits to Zvonimir Srna and Ivan Martinović.

In the 33rd minute, they were without the only player who started scoring at the end of the first half and the beginning of the second half. Aymeric Minne received a straight red card for elbowing. Their body language showed that they were going for all or nothing and weren’t gentle in defense. Srna, Mamić, Maraš, Jelinić died in order.

For the most part, they managed to break our rhythm. In just five and a half minutes, they made a run of 1:4 and went down to four goals behind (19:15). Then, spite spoke to Croatia. They caught the rhythm from the first part, rose to plus six (22:16), and it was easier to breathe.

A new attempt by the French was pressing. Croatia responded with two circular attackers. It was a real tactical-coaching trickery. What made us especially happy was that Dominik Kuzmanović also found his rhythm. Croatia was up by six at the halfway point of the second half (25:19).

After France scored two in a row and reached minus four, Dagur Sigurdsson called for a minute of rest. The boys undoubtedly found it helpful. They tried to spend as much time as possible on our long attacks and to get space for a shot with powerful crosses. Tiredness was visible on their faces.

In the 52nd, France was only three goals behind (27:24). Every mistake could be costly, mainly exclusion. Unfortunately, two things happened to Croatia. First, Marko Mamić was sent off, although there was no reason for it, and then Marin Jelinić had to go to the bench for two minutes. There are still seven minutes left.

Croatia, thus weakened, scored a goal. Then Dominik Kuzmanović, like Usain Bolt, made the fastest run of his career and prevented another goal by the French, leaving Croatia with a plus-four (29:25). Croatia struggled until the end. Still, our guys didn’t falter for a single moment. On the contrary, they found incredible strength and energy when everything was against them, and in the end, they deservedly celebrated 31:28.

With 15 saves, Dominik Kuzmanović is one of the heroes, although everyone who entered contributed. The first scorer and player of the match was Zvonimir Srna, who scored seven goals. The phenomenal Marin Jelinić also gave seven without a miss and six by Ivan Martinović. With France, Dika Mem is the best with eight goals.

Croatia is now waiting for its opponent in the grand final. It will be Denmark or Portugal. That semi-final match will be played tomorrow at 20:30 in Oslo. The final is scheduled for Sunday, February 2, at 6 p.m. Before that, at 3 p.m., the match for the bronze medal will be played.