Two world champions, Maro Jokovic and Luka Loncar, will make a comeback to the Croatian national team for major competitions in 2024, two and a half years after announcing their international retirements.
In a surprising announcement, the experienced duo will bolster the reigning European Champions in 2024. Luka Loncar’s presence at center-forward will be felt during the European Championships in Zagreb/Dubrovnik, the World Championships in Doha, and the Paris Olympic Games, while Jug’s leftie, Maro Jokovic, will likely only play a part at the Olympics, pending Croatia’s qualification.
Commenting on Loncar’s return, Croatian Head Coach Ivica Tucak told Sportske Novosti, “He has been playing well in Olympiacos, and his desire prevailed.” Tucak added, “He (Luka) told me how he rested well for the last two years because he was really ‘worn out’ from the frequent rhythm of playing. In the intense and difficult year of 2024, every player of such quality and experience can truly help us.”
Finally confirmed: 2024 Men’s European Championships in Croatia
Regarding Jokovic’s return, Tucak said that an agreement was reached that he would only play at Paris, a tournament for which Tucak is confident that ‘the Barakude’ will qualify:
“Jokovic and I have reached an agreement for him to be available for the Paris Olympics, which I believe we will qualify for. Possibly even for the World Championships in Doha, but we left that open for now. The original plan was for him to rest well, “skip” the European Championships. However, I will contact him again considering the new circumstances, as the Euros will be played in Croatia, making it still something special.”
Croatia finished in a disappointing 9th place at the World Championships in Fukuoka. More to follow…
SEE THE SCHEDULE FOR THE 2024 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
Jokovc and Loncar’s return to the national team
Maro Jokovic, 36, started playing for the national team in 2006 and clinched 19 medals with Croatia. Jokovic has a sublime winning record with the national team – six (2 gold, 1 silver, 3 bronze). Jokovic has played at the Olympic Games four times, (with a potential 5th beckoning in Paris) and won the gold at London 2012 and the silver at Rio 2016. He has two medals at the European Championships, six in the World League, and two in the World Cup.
Away from the national team, Jokovic has two Champions League winner’s medals to his name (in 2006 and ten years later in 2016 with Jug), as well as a winner’s medal with Pro Recco in 2015. Shortly before the Tokyo Games, Jokovic returned to Jug, where he remains to this day.
Luka Loncar, who is the same age as Jokovic, was born in Zagreb and started playing water polo in Mladost. He has achieved a lot of success playing in Croatia for Jug and alongside Jokovic, won the 2016 Champions League with the Dubrovnik-based club.
Loncar became a regular member of the national team in 2013. Representing Croatia, Loncar won 10 medals at FINA and LEN competitions: an Olympic silver (2016), one gold, one silver, and two bronze medals at the World Championships, bronze at the European Championships, three medals in the World League, and one at the World Cup.
Loncar was the Champions League winner in 2016 as a player of Jug. In 2021, Loncar moved to Pro Recco, where he won two Champions League titles, two Italian Championships, two Coppa Italia’s, and two LEN Supercups. Loncar was rumored to be returning to his home club of Mladost this summer but opted to join Greek Champions Olympiacos instead.
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