European Youth Olympics: Croatia wins gold in handball

Croatia wins gold (Photo: HOO)

BAKU, 27 July 2019 – Croatia has won the gold medal in the handball competition at the European Youth Olympic Festival in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Croatia beat Germany in the final 29:28 to claim the gold medal on Saturday. 

Croatia started the match strong and controlled possession in the first half as they enjoyed leads of 10:7 in the 18th minute, and 14:9 in the 25th. Germany came back just before halftime but the Croatians went into the halftime break 15:13 up. 

Germany went on a run in the second spell which would see them take a 20:17 lead at one stage. Croatia levelled up again at 22:22 before regaining the lead and going up 24:23. With three minutes remaining Croatia would stretch their lead to 4 goals. Germany again narrowed the gap but the game was never in doubt and Croatia would win the match by 1 goal, 29:28 to claim gold. 

(Photo: HOO)

Croatia’s top scorer was Fabijan Grubišić with 8 goals, followed by Rok Malin, Matej Svržnjak and David Štrković with 4 each.

Croatia won four gold medals at the EYOF with the three gold medals coming from swimmer Franke Grgic who won two, and Ana Viktorija Puljiz in the judo. 

(Photo: HOO)

Croatian gold medal handball team:

DOMINIK KUZMANOVIĆ – MRK DUGO SELO
MATEJ MANDIĆ – RK IZVIĐAČ LJUBUŠKI
FABIJAN GRUBIŠIĆ – MRK DUGO SELO
ZLATKO RAUŽAN – MRK DUGO SELO
IVAN BARBIĆ – RK SENJ
MISLAV OBRADOVIĆ – RK BJELOVAR
MARIN LISAC – RK DUBRAVA
ADAM ŠALIĆ – RK PPP ZAGREB
JAKOV NERALIĆ – RK PPD ZAGREB
MATEJ SVRŽNJAK – RK PPD ZAGREB
MISLAV TRNINIĆ – RK PPD ZAGREB
MARIO ZAKIĆ – RK MOSLAVINA
ROK MALIN – RK SISAK
DAVID ŠTRKOVIĆ – RK PPD ZAGREB
MATIJA CAR – RK MORNAR – CRIKVENICA

Mangement: 

NINO MARKOVIĆ, Coach
KREŠO IVANKOVIĆ, Coach
IVAN DRAGIĆ, Goalkeeper coach 
NIKOLA GOLUB, Condition coach
TOMICA MADJERČIĆ, Technical coach