January 24, 2025 – Croatia defeated Iceland 32-26 in the second match of Group 4 in the main round of the 2025 Men’s Handball World Championship. After tonight’s phenomenal performance in Zagreb, Croatia now leads the group and will decide its own fate in the final round on Sunday.
Croatia delivered a spectacular first half in their match against Iceland, leaving the crowd in Zagreb in awe. Although Iceland initially held two brief leads at 1-0 and 2-1, the Croatia team, under coach Dagur Sigurdsson, quickly took control of the game.
A decisive 4-0 run gave Croatia a three-goal lead, and after Iceland managed to score at 6-4, Croatia responded with a dominant 6-1 streak. By the 16th minute, Croatia had surged to an imposing 12-5 lead.
At halftime, Croatia held a commanding 20-12 advantage, thanks to a brilliant defensive setup (5-1 formation) led by an outstanding Marko Mamić. Ivan Martinović wowed with six goals, while goalkeeper Dominik Kuzmanović delivered a stellar performance, saving nine shots, including a crucial counterattack in the dying seconds of the first half. In contrast, Iceland’s goalkeepers managed only two saves combined.
Croatia maintained their high level of play in the second half, never allowing Iceland to gain momentum. The only lull in their performance came between the 47th and 53rd minutes when Iceland scored three consecutive goals, narrowing the deficit to seven. However, Croatia quickly regained control and closed the match on their terms.
Dominik Kuzmanović was once again the star of the game, finishing with 17 saves, while Ivan Martinović led the scoring with eight goals. Zvonimir Srna added six and Mateo Maraš contributed five. For Iceland, Viggo Kristjánsson was their top scorer with five goals.
Croatia now has their destiny in their hands. A victory against Slovenia in the final group match on Sunday, January 26, at 20:30, would secure a spot in the knockout stage. However, the stakes are high. A loss or draw could eliminate Croatia if Egypt and Iceland win their respective games against weaker opponents.
If Croatia advances, they will face a team from Group 2, where France currently sits in first place, followed by Hungary, North Macedonia, and the Netherlands. Staying at the top of their group would allow Croatia to avoid a clash with powerhouse France and instead face the second-placed team from Group 2.
Coach Dagur Sigurdsson’s squad has shown their capability to dominate, but the challenge against Slovenia will be pivotal in determining their path forward in the tournament.