IHF WORLD CUP: MAGNIFICENT WELCOME OF SILVER HANDBALLERS

Even for those who are exceptionally skilled with words, it isn’t easy to describe how lovely the welcome of the Croatian handball team, which returned from Oslo in the afternoon with silver around its neck, was. The Croatian handball players, who were in a great mood, were warmly welcomed aboard the new Croatia Airlines A 220-300 aircraft with a highly accommodating crew. They were singing and making merry, even though many of them hadn’t slept much the night before.

We were especially delighted by the three Rafaels who came to greet us when we entered Croatian airspace. They escorted us first over the city and then to landing at Zagreb’s Franjo Tuđman Airport. The Croatian national team was welcomed by numerous fans, as well as the Minister of Tourism and Sports Tonči Glavina, the Mayor of Zagreb, Tomislav Tomašević, the Mayor of Velika Gorica Krešimir Ačkar, and the President of the Croatian Handball Association, Tomislav Grahovac.

They all thanked the national team for winning silver, for representing Croatia well, and for the love and passion with which they wore the Croatian national jersey. Because of their performances, we hope hundreds of children will start playing handball.

Afterward, they took the bus to Ban Josip Jelačić Square, where the ceremony started at 2:00 p.m. Seeing thousands and thousands of fans along the road was touching, even though the route was not officially made public. People clapped, waved, and took photos at every intersection, traffic light, and gas station. The column made its way to Zagreb’s central square exceptionally quickly, with a strong police escort that organized the route brilliantly. And there, the national team was welcomed by so many people that they could not have expected it even in their wildest dreams.

After everyone, from the coaching staff to the players, was called individually, Captain Domagoj Duvnjak was the last to arrive on stage. The eruption of enthusiasm gave the impression of shaking the walls of the surrounding buildings.

And what can I say when Marko Perković Thompson came on stage? The unofficial anthem of the national team “If you don’t know what happened” started from the throat, ah it’s hard to say, some mention 50 thousand who came to greet their sports heroes. Thompson’s joint concert and performance lasted almost an hour and a half. Hits followed one after the other: Geni Kameni, Liepa li si, Oj Ivane probative mio, etc.… And it would have lasted who knows how long if Marko Perković Thompson had not had his commitment and the journalists had been waiting for the national team. More than 200 of them were accredited for the festive reception, which is the best confirmation of how great a success the national team made.

Her games and the synergy she created with fans and friends of handball and sports, in general, showed that Croatia loves and respects its sports heroes and is always by their side. Thanks to our handball players for everything they showed in the last three weeks, but also to all those who were by her side and believed in success all the time—a special thank you to all who participated in the magnificent welcome.