Croatia’s squad for the 2016 European Waterpolo Championships has been announced.
Croatia’s water polo national team manager Ivica Tucak announced a list of players who will travel to the European Championships which will be held from 10 to 23 January in Belgrade. Croatian team at the European Championships will be comprised of goalkeepers Josip Pavić and Marko Bijač, and players Boris Pavlović, Luka Lončar, Marko Macan, Andro Bušlje, Damir Burić, Sandro Sukno, Antonio Petković, Maro Joković, Luka Bukić, Ante Vukičević, and Anđelo Šetka, reports Vecernji List on January 6, 2016.
Team manager Tucak announced the list of players after a victory against Montenegro (7:5), in the final game of the preliminary tournament in Dubrovnik. Croatia ended the tournament in second place with six points. The first place went to Montenegro, while Germany was placed third. Since all three teams won six points, the winner was decided by goal-difference. Brazil, managed by Croatia’s Ratko Rudić, took last place without a single point.
“We have played a very good game in the last match before the European Championships. To defeat Montenegro is a great result. Although this was just a friendly tournament, we have played really well. That is how Croatia should play in Belgrade, very aggressive in defence, with plenty of opportunities for scoring from counter attacks. This is something which so far has not been seen in our matches. The dress rehearsal before leaving for the European Championships has been a success, and this is the direction which we should follow in Belgrade”, said Tucak.
The performance of “Barracudas” in Dubrovnik was commented on by the best player of the tournament Sandro Sukno as well. “There were fluctuations during the tournament, but that was to be expected. We are still involved in very intensive training sessions. We played badly against Germany, but we analyzed our game and played much better against Montenegro. Now we expect to relax a bit and to work on our tactical approach, and then we will be ready for the opening match of the European Championships”, said Sukno.
Croatia will travel to Belgrade on 8 January from Tivat in Montenegro, and on 10 January will play its first match at the European Championships at Kombank Arena. In the first phase of the competition, Croatia will play against Serbia, France and Malta.
