RATKO PERIS IS THE NEW CROATIAN MEN’S VOLLEYBALL NATIONAL TEAM

Experienced volleyball expert Ratko Peris took over the role of Croatian men’s volleyball team coach. He enthusiastically accepted this opportunity and highlighted his motivation and readiness for the upcoming challenges he plans to overcome with the new team.

First of all, I would like to say that it is a great honor and privilege for me, both as a player and as a coach, and now as a member of the Croatian national team. I want to thank everyone at HOS for giving me this opportunity. I hope to make the most of it. My vision is to first hear from all the players individually, to have conversations, to see where we are, in what kind of physical condition, how they play in their clubs, and how certain players are developing. I wish everyone to come healthy, eager to play and motivated, because we have an intense four-month cycle ahead of us, the Golden League and qualifications for the European Championship. A very demanding summer awaits us. Our goal is to achieve the best possible result in the Golden League, to win a place in the Final Four, and through the qualifications to qualify for the European Championship – coach Igor Ratko Peris pointed out

Ratko Peris is one of the prominent names in Croatian volleyball. He has a rich playing and coaching career. As a former member of the Croatian national team, he gained experience playing in domestic and international clubs. After his playing career ended, he successfully devoted himself to coaching.

He built his coaching career in France and Belgium, managing several prestigious clubs, before taking over HAOK Mladost Zagreb, the most trophy-winning Croatian volleyball club. Under his guidance, Mladost continued to dominate the domestic scene, winning important trophies and developing young players. In July 2024, he became the head coach of IOC Murse-Osijek, a club with grand ambitions, where he began a new challenge to develop the team further. At the same time, he was engaged in the professional staff of the Croatian senior national team and the coach of the Croatian junior men’s national team, which confirms his significant contribution to volleyball at the national level. His approach to work is characterized by discipline, tactical adaptation and a focus on player development, which is why he has gained a reputation among colleagues and the sports public.

First, I would like to thank the new coach who accepted the challenge in less than 48 hours and decided to take over the Croatian national team, which, as I believe, is still in the game for the European Championship, our primary and essential goal for 2025. Although we are in an unenviable position and need two victories with an apparent 3-0 or 3-1, I think this team and the new coach deserve it and will still win the European Championship that we want so much. As for the plans for the men’s and women’s national teams, our goal and task is to try to secure an appearance at the European Championship in 2026. For the girls, I think that 99% of us have already secured a place, while for the men’s national team, as I already said, the situation will be more difficult. However, with a good Golden League and a quality first part of the season, I believe that we can prepare well, be competitive and achieve that goal – Frane Žunić, the president of the Croatian Volleyball Federation

This year’s men’s volleyball team will undoubtedly be full of challenges, but it is also an opportunity for all volleyball fans to return to the halls and provide much-needed support in the competitions ahead of them.

SOURCE: Croatian Volleyball Federation