European Handball Championship Final Prep: Croatian Team Gathers in Zagreb for Journey to Split

The European Handball Championship will take place in Croatia from January 12 to 28, 2018. 

The Croatian men’s senior handball team gathered in Zagreb for their final stage of preparations before the European Championship. From Zagreb, the team will make the journey to Split where they will train until January 12th when they open the Euros against Serbia, reports Gol.hr on January 2, 2018. 

During the final stage of preparations, Lino Červar’s team will be composed of 22 players who will also play a preliminary match against Montenegro. The meeting is scheduled for Friday, January 5th at 20.30 at the Spaladium Arena in Split. All funds collected from ticket sales for the match will be donated to the KBC Split Children’s Clinic. You can find more information about the game here. 

Before the start of the Euro, coach Červar will choose 16 players who will represent Croatia at the Championship.

After his first season in the Bundesliga as a member of Füchse Berlin, Marko Kopljar moves to the next round of preparations with the Croatia national team. Kopljar joined the team after Christmas, and although he did not have much free time, he knows that this is the most important journey in his life right now.

“We all know what the goal is and we know what we have to sacrifice. We are now together, and a complete team will play. We surely must have five, six days where we will have a strong rhythm of three trainings a day, and then the last few days to rest, refresh and get ready for the first match,” said Kopljar before the preparations. 

Tickets are no longer available for the first Euro match in Split, which only means that Croatia expects a great atmosphere at Spaladium Arena. 

“It’s nice that there are no tickets left for the first game. I can already imagine what kind of atmosphere we will have at that match, but also in all of the games we play. I’m sure it will be a great atmosphere in the other groups as well. I think we have become a handball nation who likes the sport and follows it. I can’t wait for everything to begin.”

Kopljar also stressed that the first match would be crucial for the continuation of the tournament. 

“We need to leave a good impression in the first game. And in this preparation with Montenegro, and then later against Serbia in the first match of the Championship. We have to show our strongest weapon, which is our defense. Then get some positive results until the end.”

Kopljar already has experience playing in front of a domestic crowd from the 2009 World Cup but points out that there will still be nerves.

“I will certainly be nervous; I am nervous, always. If you are not nervous before the match, then something is wrong, but we have the experience. Some of us also played in 2009 in Croatia; we will be ready.”

Before leaving for the final stage of preparations, circle runner Marino Marić briefly announced what awaits the team in Split to prepare them for the best possible start of the Championship.

“We are traveling to Split where we have 11 days of preparations and a preparatory match against Montenegro on January 5th which is of a humanitarian character. In that game, regardless of everything, we have to give our best and absolutely and seriously understand the opponent and our job. We will prepare with our maximum effort. We are waiting to complete our final form and nail our tactics for our first opponents and determine each player’s role in the game. January 12th the Championship begins, and I believe it will be interesting, and we will begin this story ready and positive,” concluded Marić.

Find Croatia’s complete schedule at the Euros here. 

Translated from Gol.hr

 

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