Mixed fortunes for Croatian teams in European qualifiers
News
This past weekend Croatia secured their participation in the Final Round of this year’s #EuroVolleyU19W following a 3-1 victory over Sweden (25-14, 15-25, 25-10, 25-16) on home soil in Bibinje, Zadar. The final stage of the U19 European Championship will be taking place from August 27 through September 4, 2022 in Skopje, North Macedonia. Team Croatia emerged as the eventual winners of a three-team pool featuring Norway next to their Scandinavian neighbours from Sweden.
Sasa Ivanisevic“Congratulations to the girls who did a fantastic job in this tournament. I think we have justified the role of pre-favourites – which is never easy. I think that the girls can be a role model for all other generations as to how to work, live and behave with the national team. We deservedly go to the European Championship."
Head coach of Team Croatia
Croatia’s roster included the following players:
Setters: Kate Lijic (Split), Petra Brkicic (Rijeka)
Middle blockers: Aurora Papac (Mladost), Ivana Cubelic (Split), Iva Apostolski (Marina Kastela), Viktoria Ana Trcol (Rijeka)
Outside hitters: Ana Burilovic (Split), Ena Zajec (Nebo), Mara Stiglic (Rijeka), Taisa Weinand (Osijek), Lara Skoro (Pula)
Libero: Matea Smoljan (Mladost), Tia Kovco (Split)
Opposite hitter: Marija Tabak (Split)
On the other hand, the men’s U20 team of Croatia finished only third in their qualifier. They started their journey with a victory over Hungary before losing to Sweden and to eventual group winners Belgium, who beat the hosts 3-0 (25-17, 25-20, 25-16) to top the final standing.
“I want to congratulate the players on their courage and the great fight they showed throughout the tournament. This very promising generation definitely deserves our attention at all times. They are great workers, and they do their best both in training and when contesting competitive matches. It is a pleasure to work with a young generation that is so eager to progress and looking for challenges and new victories! I am sure these young boys will leave a mark and we will hear a lot more about them. What also makes me happy is the fact that we have an excellent staff to work with for the future senior national team. And last but not least, I want to thank the wonderful audience that was with us and encouraged us in all matches,” said head coach Tomislav Coskovic.