Vujović: This Croatia is not for the greatest achievements. It is interesting how the menus are always to blame

Croatian national handball team it complicated the way to the knockout stage of the World Cup, which it is home to. Despite the support of 15,000 people in Arena Zagreb, Egypt again proved to be too strong, and Croatia, especially considering the absences of Domagoj Duvnjak and Luka Cindrić, too barren in attack to put an end to a very good African national team. Now he no longer has the right to take a wrong step if he wants to go to the quarterfinals.

Well-known handball expert and current coach of Katra Veselin Vujović (64) is not too optimistic about Croatia’s chances in the continuation of the competition.

– It is very difficult to comment on something in order to remain correct, without basically saying what is visible to everyone. The Croatian public must come to terms with the fact that this squad is not the squad for the greatest achievements. Coincidence, but that’s the way it is and it’s the way it is. the last few years. I don’t know, but Sigurdsson didn’t win a single important match, except for those qualifiers in Germany. It is clear that it is very difficult to remain without Duvnjak and Cindri, with Karačić in the middle who is totally out of form and rhythm, so everything falls on the back of little Pavlovi, who until yesterday played in Ljubuška. To expect that he will now be able to lead Croatia to a great result is simply not realistic – said Vujo for tportal.

Egypt, on the other hand, confirmed that it is rightfully the hidden favorite for the čquarterfinals.

– Croatia set their sights on a serious rival, and we all knew before the start of the World Cup what Egypt was like and how people have been playing in recent years. Egypt proved to be one of a kind team that is defined in a fantastic way. When you look at them, you don’t know who is the outsider. Everyone can play everything. Middle, left, right. Egypt showed what is the prototype of modern handball at the highest level. They are known as a team of great shooters, and their best game was against Croatiač was the goalkeeper, This meant that Croatia was doomed even before the start of this match. When their goalkeeper defends like this, then Egypt is a team that can play equally with everyone, including the French and the Danes – believes Vujovi.

Zagreb: IHF World Handball Championship 2025, Egypt – Croatia |

Photo: Luka Stanzl/PIXSELL

Croatia no longer depends on itself, it can fall out with all three victories, although there are good chances that eight points will be enough for one of the first two places. After a likely duel against Cape Verde Islandsin which we should have no problems, followed by duels against of Slovenia i Iceland in which there could be čupavo again.

– Croatia certainly has its own mathematics. We will see how the match between Slovenia and Iceland will end, who will advance with four points and who with two. With those two victories, Croatia has a continuation, but I still stand by the fact that it is not very realistic that Croatia will get a medal. But who knows, the guys might outdo themselves and make a difference. I would really like to see that happen.

A medal seems very far away at the moment, Domagoj Duvnjak was aware of this in the announcement of the tournament, and now he can only help with advice.

Zagreb: IHF World Handball Championship 2025, Egypt – Croatia |

Photo: Luka Stanzl/PIXSELL

– Dule is such a person, such a gameč. I am so sorry that this happened to him. That one such gameč he left in such a carefree way. You never know when you will get hurt when you finally get hurt. I don’t know, I don’t really understand why he had to have so many minutes against Bahrain and Argentina. Again, he has to play to be fit. That’s why I wouldn’t blame Sigurdsson for anything special now. You can see that he is very motivated, that he is active during his rest minutes, that he is inside with the players – said Vujović so drew an interesting parallel between Islanđanin and past menus:

– Everyone who sits on that hot Croatian bench wishes the best to the national team. Sometimes it turns out well, sometimes not, and I wouldn’t make a drama about it now. However, it is very interesting that in Croatian handball, the menus are always a problem when something is not as it should be. Golu doesn’t work, Babi doesn’t work, Horvat, Perkovac… The players are good, everything is great, only the menus don’t work. It’s not quite like that.

Vujovi’s Qatar lost in the first stage of the competition in Poreč to France 37-19 and Austria 28-26, and then in the key match for advancement they defeated Kuwait 25-22. The Netherlands, North Macedonia and Hungary are waiting for him in Varadin.