The Croatia men’s handball team met Ukraine in the last round of Group C at the 2022 European Championship in Szeged, Hungary.
Bad news arrived before the match about two other infected players. Namely, David Mandić and Željko Musa received positive COVID-19 results, and Matej Mandić, Lovro Mihić, Marko Mamić, Zvonimir Srna, and Leon Šušnja had already been in isolation. Domagoj Duvnjak is still out and Halil Jaganjac could not play against Ukraine due to a minor concussion.
Recall, Croatia fell to France in the first match of Group C on Thursday and topped Serbia on Sunday to stay in the game for the second round. Croatia’s spot in the second round, however, does not just depend on them. They must wait for the outcome of the match between France and Serbia. A victory or draw leads Croatia to the second round from second place in Group C. Croatia would be knocked out of the tournament if Serbia wins between two and six points.
However, if everything goes as planned, Croatia will play in the second round, which includes two groups of six national teams. The two best teams from Group C intersect with the two best teams from Group A and Group B.
Recap
The first goal of the match came in the 2nd minute when Lucin scored for 1:0 Croatia. Ukraine equalized moments later (1:1). Ukraine made it 1:2 in the 3rd minute. Martinovic equalized at 2:2.
Ukraine retook the lead coming into the 4th minute for 2:3 and Lucin quickly equalized at 3:3. Martinovic made it 4:4 in the 7th minute. Maric made it 8:8 a minute later.
Ivic scored for 6:6 in the 9th minute. Jelinic scored for the Croatia lead in the 11th for 7:6, and Lucin for +2 moments later (8:6).
Maric put Croatia ahead by 3 goals in the 13th minute for 9:6. Cupic scored from 7 meters for 10:7 a minute later. Lucin scored for 11:8 in the 15th!
Sipic scored for 12:9 in the 17th and again for 13:10 a minute later! Martinovic scored from 7 meters for 14:10 with 9 minutes to go.
Ukraine came back to just -1 with 3 minutes to go in the first half (14:13). Gadza made Croatia a bit more comfortable for 15:13 and Jelinic for 16:13 in the 28th. Gadza made it +4 for 17:13 with a minute and a half to go. Croatia scored in the final second of the first half for 18:13.
Martinovic opened the second half with a goal for 19:14. Lucin increased the score to 20:14 in the 33rd.
Martinovic scored for 21:14 and Jelenic for 22:14 in the 35th. Ukraine had gone 5 minutes without a goal. Martinovic scored or 23:16 in the 38th minute – and it was 24:17 a minute later! Sipic made it 25:17 in the 40th.
Sipic scored his 5th goal for 27:19 in the 42nd minute. Jelinic scored for 28:20 in the 43rd minute. Martinovic made it 29:20 in the 45th minute.
Sipic scored for 30:21 in the 47th minute. Gadza scored for 31:22. Glavas scored from 7 meters for 32:22 – a comfortable 10 point lead. Glavas scored again from 7 meters for 33:23.
Sipic scored for 34:24 with just over 5 minutes to go. Grahovac made it 35:25 in the 55th. Glavas scored for 36:25 with 4 minutes to go and again for 37:25 with 3 to go.
Grahovac scored again for 38:25 with a minute left
To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page.
Subscribe to our newsletter
the fields marked with * are requiredRelated posts:
2022 European Men’s Handball Championship: Croatia’s Group Stage Schedule in Szeged
EHF Euro 2022 Second Round: Croatia and Montenegro First Meet on Thursday
EHF Euro 2022 Main Round: Croatia Falls to Montenegro in First Match of Group I (26:32)
How Can Croatia Handball Advance to EHF Euro 2022 Semifinals?
