January 16, 2019 – After three wins in the World Handball Championship against Iceland, Japan and Macedonia, the Croatia handball team met Bahrain in their fourth game of Group B on Wednesday.
The least crucial game for Croatia in the tournament so far, Lino Červar decided to rest some of the team’s best players before they meet Spain on Thursday.
Croatia was the first to score with a goal by Kozina for 1:0 in the first minute. Bičanić made it 2:0 in the third.
All fans welcomed the return of Luka Cindrić in today’s meeting, who was rested for two games – and he scored for 3:1 Croatia in the 5th minute.
With the help of Štrlek and Vida, Croatia was up 7:3 in the 10th, giving them their most significant advantage yet. And they continued with strength, to be up five goals in the 14th minute.
Manuel Štrlek scored his fourth goal in the 21st minute for 13:6, and it was clear that this game would be a walk in the park for the Croatian side.
With five minutes to go, Croatia was up by 8, and the first half ended 19:9.
Croatia started the second half strong, and Damir Bičanić scored for Croatia in the first attack. Štrlek scored his fifth goal in the 32nd minute, Mandić scored his first in the game in the 34th, and in the 39th minute, Croatia was up by 9 in the 40th (23:14). By the 45th minute, it was 25:14 for Croatia.
In the 52nd minute, Štrlek scored his 10th goal of the game, and it was 28:18 for Croatia.
A brilliant Croatia ended the game with a final result of 32:20, and Manuel Štrlek was named the player of the game.
Croatia will play Spain for the biggest game of Group B on Thursday at 8:30 pm.
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