Croatia

Croatia secured their spot at their 15th EHF EURO with a silver medal from the 2020 edition, losing to Spain 20:22 in the finals. They have been part of EHF EURO story since 1994 and they are coming to Szeged with new coach Hrvoje Horvat, who has served as an assistant coach to Lino Cervar since 2017.

The team will have a hard task to repeat the success of 2020, when they added a third silver to their collection alongside three bronze medals. The EHF EURO crown continues to be a dream, and is the only gold missing in a rich trophy collection.

While their group opponents, France, Serbia and Ukraine, were going through qualification, Croatia played six matches in the EHF EURO Cup. They finished second with EHF EURO 2022 co-hosts Hungary first, leaving defending champions Spain and the other co-host, Slovakia behind.

After failing to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, coach Horvat introduced new and young players into the team, giving them more time on the court. With many experienced players and the backbone of the team, Domagoj Duvnjak, combining with young stalwarts like Ivan Martinovic, Croatia will try to present a new style and the future of the team while aiming for the top step of the podium.

Their powerful attack and sturdy defence with the emphasis on 5-1, will characterise the Croatian play as they look for another solid performance. Having finished fifth or better in the last nine EHF EUROs, there is a lot to live up to.

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Player Cumulative Statistics Roster
#	Player	MP	Goals	Shots	%	7m	YC	RC	2 Min	TP
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	TOTAL		{{totalGoals}}	{{totalShots}}	{{totalShotsEfficiency}}	{{total7mGoals}}/{{total7mShots}}	{{totalWarnings}}	{{totalDisqualifications}}	{{totalTwoMinPenalties}}

#	Goalkeeper	MP	Saves	Shots	%	7m
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	TOTAL		{{totalSaves}}	{{totalShotReceives}}	{{totalSaveEfficiency}}	{{total7mSaves}}/{{total7mShotsReceives}}

Matches DATE • TIME (CET) Results Round Group

Wed Jan 26, 2022 18:00, Budapest (HUN)

Netherlands

Croatia

Final Tournament I

Mon Jan 24, 2022 15:30, Budapest (HUN)

Iceland

Croatia

Final Tournament I

Sat Jan 22, 2022 20:30, Budapest (HUN)

Denmark

Croatia

Final Tournament I

Thu Jan 20, 2022 15:30, Budapest (HUN)

Montenegro

Croatia

Final Tournament I

Mon Jan 17, 2022 18:00, Szeged (HUN)

Ukraine

Croatia

Final Tournament C

Sat Jan 15, 2022 20:30, Szeged (HUN)

Croatia

Serbia

Final Tournament C

Thu Jan 13, 2022 20:30, Szeged (HUN)

Croatia

France

Final Tournament C

EHF competition history

Qualification Europe - Phase 2 Sat Apr 16, 2022

Final Tournament Wed Jan 26, 2022

Group Matches Sun Jun 27, 2021

Final Tournament Sun Jan 26, 2020

Qualifiers Sun Jun 16, 2019

Qualification Europe - Phase2 Play Off Thu Jun 14, 2018

Final Tournament Fri Jan 26, 2018

Final Tournament Sun Jan 31, 2016

Qualification 2 Sun Jun 14, 2015

Final Tournament Sun Jan 26, 2014

Qualification 2 Sat Jun 15, 2013

Final Tournament Sat Jan 19, 2013

Final Tournament Sun Jan 29, 2012

Qualification 2 Sun Jun 12, 2011

Final Tournament Fri Jan 28, 2011

Final Round Sun Jan 31, 2010

Qualification Sun Jun 21, 2009

Final Round Sun Jan 27, 2008

Final Round Sun Feb 05, 2006

Final Round Sun Feb 06, 2005

Olympic Games Sun Aug 22, 2004

Final Round Sun Feb 01, 2004

Play Off Sat Jun 21, 2003

Final Round Sun Feb 02, 2003

Play Off Sun Jun 09, 2002

Finals Sun Jan 27, 2002

Play Off Sat Jun 09, 2001

Finals Sun Jan 28, 2001

Finals Sat Jan 29, 2000

Finals Wed Jun 09, 1999

Qualification Sun Nov 29, 1998

Finals Sat Jun 06, 1998

Qualification Sat Nov 29, 1997

Finals Tue May 27, 1997

Finals Sun Aug 04, 1996

Finals Fri May 31, 1996

Qualification Sat Dec 02, 1995

Finals Sun May 21, 1995

Finals Sat Sep 24, 1994

Qualification Sun Nov 14, 1993

Key Players

Ivan Cupic

Right wing

With 159 matches and 585 goals scored for Croatia ahead of EHF EURO 2022, Ivan Cupic is a crucial player in the Croatian team – despite losing a finger in an accident in 2008. He last played a European championship in 2018, and missed both the IHF Men’s World Championship 2019 and EHF EURO 2020 before reappearing in the squad for the World Championship 2021. Cupic was the second-best scorer of the London 2012 Olympic Games handball tournament, and is still the only player ever to win the VELUX EHF FINAL4 two years in a row: first with Kielce in 2016, then with Vardar in 2017.

Ivan Martinovic

Right back

Ivan Martinovic made his debut for the Croatian national team in qualification for the EHF EURO 2020, and is fast-becoming a star for the squad. Martinovic was born in Vienna, and started playing handball at Fivers. He currently plays club hanball for TSV Hannover-Burgdorf, but will join MT Melsungen later in 2022. Martinovic’s role models are Ivano Balic and team captain Domagoj Duvnjak, and his brother Marin and sister Kristina are also handball players playing for Austria.

Head Coach

Hrvoje Horvat

Coach

Hrvoje Horvat took over the Croatian national team in February 2021, having previously acted as assistant coach to Lino Cervar for three years. Horvat used to coach Dubrava and Nexe, but has quit Nexe to focus mainly on the national team. The former successful beach handball player, with seven medals from major competitions, including world championship gold, cut his playing career short to focus on coaching. Horvat is the son of legendary Croatian playmaker Hrvoje Horvat Cveba.

Croatia

EHF competition history

World Championship 2023

European Championship 2022

EURO CUP 2022

European Championship 2020

World Championship 2019

European Championship 2018

European Championship 2016

European Championship 2014

World Championship 2013

European Championship 2012

World Championship 2011

European Championship 2010

European Championship 2008

European Championship 2006

World Championship 2005

Olympic Games 2004

European Championship 2004

World Championship 2003

European Championship 2002

World Championship 2001

European Championship 2000

World Championship 1999

European Championship 1998

World Championship 1997

Olympic Games 1996

European Championship 1996

World Championship 1995

European Championship 1994

Key Players

Head Coach

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