The preparations of the Croatian national team for the World Championships in Doha (February 4 – 17) will start on Monday.
Two of the 15 players who won silver at the European Championships won’t prepare for the World Championships due to their respective surgeries. Luka Bukic, the best scorer of the final game against Spain in Zagreb, and second goalkeeper Toni Popadic aren’t among the invited players.
Captain Ivan Krapic, who was a member of the coaching staff during the Championships in Dubrovnik in Zagreb, goalkeepers Anic and Jurlina, and 13 silver medalists are the candidates for the World Championships roster.
With only 16 players called up by head coach Ivica Tucak, it’s evident that he has already made his decision on who will represent Croatia in Doha. The only remaining question is who will fill the position of the second goalkeeper.
Earlier this week, Tucak said he would talk with Maro Jokovic about his possible earlier return to the national team. Last year, Tucak agreed with Jokovic that an experienced leftie would play at the Olympic Games. Still, there was a possibility that he would join the team for the World Championships, but Jokovic isn’t among the candidates for the Doha tournament.
Croatia hasn’t qualified for the Olympics years yet. It will be among the teams that will chase four Olympic tickets available in Doha. Besides Croatia, seven of the 16 participating teams hasn’t earned an Olympic berth: Italy, Montenegro, Serbia, Romania, Brazil, China and Kazakhstan.
Croatia’s roster for the preparations
Goalkeepers: Marko Bijac (Olympiacos), Mate Anic (Jadran Split), Jerko Jurlina (Mladost)
Field players: Josip Vrlic (Jadran S), Ivan Krapic (Noisy-le-Sec), Luka Loncar (Olympiacos), Rino Buric (Jug), Matias Biljaka (Jadran S), Marko Zuvela (Jug), Konstantin Kharkov (Jadran), Filip Krzic, Franko Lazic (both Jug), Zvonimir Butic (Jadran),Ante Vukicevic (Marseille), Loren Fatovic, Jerko Marinic Kragic (all Jadran S).
Croatia will play in Group A at the World Championships against Spain, its recent rival in the final of the European Championships, Australia, and South Africa.
Between January 22 and 30, the team will train in Croatia. On January 30, the Croats travel to Dubai, where they will have joint training with Italy and Greece. They will arrive in Doha on February 2.
More articles about the World Championships
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For more video content, subscribe to our Youtube Channel and Tik Tok account
