Damir Bičanić Takes Over as RK Zagreb Director: “Our Place Is Among Europe’s Elite”
Croatian handball champions RK Zagreb have appointed former national team player Damir Bičanić as their new director. The 41-year-old succeeds Vedran Šupuković, who had held the position since autumn 2017.
Bičanić, who served as the club’s sporting director from March 2023, takes over the operational leadership of Croatia’s most successful handball club at a time when Zagreb are looking to strengthen their financial foundations, develop young talent and restore their competitiveness at the highest European level.
The new director was officially presented at a press conference on November 6, attended by club president Mladen Vedriš, Assembly president Nikša Vukas and general manager Božidar Jović.
Financial Stability and Youth Development Among Priorities
Having represented Zagreb as a player before moving into management, Bičanić admitted that his new position brings both pride and enormous responsibility.
“RK Zagreb is a sporting institution. Behind this name are decades of success, remarkable achievements and the development of players who have become important figures in European handball,” Bičanić said.
His main priorities will include improving the club’s business model, establishing long-term financial stability and creating additional sources of revenue.
“Modern professional sport requires serious financial planning, responsible management of resources and the ability to attract new funding. At the same time, we want Zagreb to become more competitive on the biggest European stage while systematically developing young players for both the club and the national team,” he explained.
Zagreb Target EHF European League Final Four
Despite Zagreb’s elimination from the EHF Champions League, Bičanić believes the Croatian champions demonstrated encouraging progress during the competition.
He pointed out that the team underwent significant changes during the summer, bringing in eight new players and a new head coach.
“We were drawn into one of the toughest groups in the competition, but I believe we showed our quality. Our initial target was to collect six points, and we achieved that. Apart from the home match against Aalborg, I think we performed well,” Bičanić said.
The new director stressed that Zagreb had been competitive against some of Europe’s strongest teams, including Paris Saint-Germain and Aalborg, and expressed disappointment that the team would not continue playing European matches in November and December.
Attention now turns to the EHF European League, where Zagreb have serious ambitions.
“I believe we can become a very important factor in the European League, especially with a favourable draw and if we avoid injuries. With teams coming from the Champions League, the competition will be extremely strong in February. I would describe it as a mini Champions League.”
However, Bičanić made it clear that Zagreb’s long-term ambitions remain unchanged.
“RK Zagreb has been, is and always will be part of the elite — the EHF Champions League,” he declared.
General manager Božidar Jović confirmed that reaching the EHF European League Final Four is one of the club’s main objectives, although the management does not intend to put additional pressure on the players and coaching staff.
“Our great desire is to reach the European League Final Four, but we are not setting that as an absolute requirement for the coach and the team,” Jović said.
From Olympic Bronze Medalist to Club Director
Born on June 29, 1985, in Vukovar, Damir Bičanić enjoyed a successful playing career that took him through Croatian, Spanish and French handball.
He represented Umag, Osijek Elektromodul, Agram Medveščak, Zagreb, Ademar León and Chambéry, spending seven seasons with the French club.
Bičanić earned 101 appearances for Croatia, scoring 176 goals and winning five medals at major international tournaments. His achievements include the bronze medal at the London 2012 Olympic Games, silver at the EHF EURO 2010 and bronze medals at the EHF EURO 2012 and the 2013 World Championship.
After ending his playing career with Zagreb in 2020, he remained involved with the club, initially working in international relations before becoming sporting director in 2023.
Six years after retiring from the court, Bičanić now faces a different challenge — leading Croatia’s most decorated handball club into a new era.
