Croatia, the reigning European champion and the host of the upcoming continental championships, will start its preparations on December 9.
Head coach Ivica Tucak has invited 20 players for the preparations, including all 15 who participated in the World Championships in Fukuoka.
Besides them, two players who have won gold medals at major competitions with Croatia but didn’t participate in the actions of the national team this summer are on the list. As we already published, Tucak will count on experienced center-forward Luka Loncar. Attacker Loren Fatovic, who missed the 2023 World Championships because of an injury, is among the candidates again.
Compared to the World Championships roster, the new names besides those mentioned are defender Matias Biljaka (the 2022 European champion), center Antonio Duzevic and goalkeeper Mate Anic.
The Croats will train in Zagreb. In mid-December, they will be joined by Team USA.
The players called for the preparations:
Goalkeepers: Marko Bijac (Olympiacos), Toni Popadic (Jug Adriatic Osiguranje), Mate Anic (Jadran Split).
Field players – center-forwards: Josip Vrlic (Jadran S), Ivan Krapic (Noisy-le-Sec), Luka Loncar (Olympiacos), Antonio Duzevic (Jadran S), defenders: Rino Buric (Jug AO), Matias Biljaka (Jadran S), Marko Zuvela, Marino Cagalj, Luka Bukic, Jerko Marinic Kragic, Loren Fatovic (all Jadran S), Andrija Basic (Waspo 98 Hannover), attackers: Konstantin Harkov (Jadran S), Zvonimir Butic (Jadran S), Filip Krzic, Franko Lazic (both Jug), Ante Vukicevic (Marseille).
In the first phase of the European Championships in Croatia (January 4 – 16), the home team will play in Group A in Dubrovnik, along with Spain, Montenegro and France.
