Euro 2020 Qualifiers: Croatia Handball Defeats Switzerland, Secures 1st in Group!

The Croatia handball team celebrated against Switzerland in the second to last round of the qualifiers for the 2020 European Championships, to be played in Austria, Norway, and Sweden in January 2020, reports Gol.hr on June 12, 2019. 

The Croatia national handball team defeated Switzerland 33:28 (17:13) in the fifth round of the Group 2 qualifiers for the European Championship.

Even before this game, the ‘Cowboys’ secured a spot at the Euros, but it was important to win to secure the first place. Recall, placing first in the group is a bit friendlier when it comes to the group draws for Euro. The Euro 2002 draw will be held on Friday, June 28, in Vienna.

As for Wednesday’s match between Croatia and Switzerland at Bossard Arena in Zug, Switzerland, the game started goal for goal, though Croatia eventually took the lead, and was up by four points at halftime. Switzerland tried to catch up, but Croatia routinely played their game – and at a time, they were up five and six goals!

Although coach Lino Červar was without a few critical and strong players, like Luka Cindrić, Igor Karačić, Marin Šego, Domagoj Pavlović, and Marin Marić, Croatia was very determined to win in Zug. Filip Ivić was in goal, while the wing positions were given to Manuel Štrlek and Josip Božić -Pavletić. Željko Musa was the pivot and on the outside was Marko Mamić, Domagoj Duvnjak, and Luka Stepančić. 

Croatia realized 72 percent of their attack and scored 12 goals from nine meters. Luka Stepančić and Marko Mamić scored 14 goals together.

With 15 goals,  Andy Schmid was the best for Switzerland. Matej Ašanin was fantastic in goal in the second half with nine defenses.

Croatia will end the qualifications on Sunday against Belgium in Poreč.

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

 

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