2019 World Handball Championship: Croatia 26- 29 Brazil

COLOGNE, 20 January 2019 – Croatia has lost their opening main round group match against Brazil at the 2019 IHF World Men’s Handball Championship on Sunday. 

After going through Group B undefeated, Croatia has gone lost their first match at the tournament, going down to Brazil 29-26 in front of around 7,000 Croatian fans in Cologne.

Brazil was able to capitalise on a number of offensive errors made by the Croatians in the first half and at one stage in the half had a 6 goal advantage.

Croatia narrowed the lead to 4 at halftime but Brazil would once again stretch the lead in the second half as Lino Čevar’s side could not find their rhythm on attack. 

Trailing by 6 goals, Croatia put on a fightback and got within 1 goal of the Brazilians with 7 minutes remaining but could not find the extra gear to overtake Brazil and they managed to hold on for the win. 

Croatia now plays Germany (21.01) and France (23.01) in their remaining two main round matches and will need to place in the top two of the group to advance to the semifinals. 

Croatia is currently third, one point behind France and Germany.