Croatia at the final: It’s unexplainable!

Posted on 31. January 2025.

Croatia are at the first World Championship final after 16 years. Edition 2025 will be remembered as amazing experience for the Croatian generation led by Icelandic coach Dagur Sigurdsson. France was beaten 31:28 in semi-final in front of 15.000 fans at Arena Zagreb.

– I don’t know what to say, I still can’t believe we’re in the final. I’m proud of the team for how we fought, ignoring the pain. We said that the last game for Duvnjak and Karačić was extra motivation. An incredible match. Whoever stepped in gave 100%, we all pushed our limits, and we deservedly made it to the final – said right back Ivan Martinovic, one of the heroes of “golden tournament” for Croatia.

Experienced Igor Karacic wasn’t in plans of Sigurdsson but injury of Luka Cindric gave him a chance to once again help his country.

– When we left the hotel, thousands of people with flares were waiting for us in Karlovac. We said, there’s no way we can lose this. Against Slovenia and Hungary, we were under pressure because we had to win, but against France, it was like dessert for us – a chance to seize the opportunity and reach the final. The key was the 5-1 defense. Some greater force brought us here.