Croatian handball team preparing for European Championship

The Croatian men’s handball team has returned to Zagreb for the second phase of preparations ahead of the European Championships, which will take place in Denmark, Sweden and Norway from January 15 to February 1.

Fresh off their silver-medal finish at the World Championships in Zagreb earlier this year, the squad will continue training in Prelog, in Međimurje County, until January 8. That evening, Croatia will return to the capital to face Germany in the first of two warm-up matches, scheduled for 8:30 p.m. at Zagreb Arena. The second meeting will be played three days later in Hannover.

Head coach Dagur Sigurdsson confirmed on Friday that Marin Šipić will remain sidelined due to injury, forcing the coaching staff to focus on optimizing the lineup currently available.

“We need to find our rhythm in all areas of the game and strike the right balance between attack and defence,” Sigurdsson said. “That will allow us to run fast breaks and reduce constant player changes. The priority is to find solutions, prepare the players physically, and build good energy within the team.”

Following the matches against Germany, Croatia will stay in Hannover for three additional days of training before travelling to Malmö, Sweden, on January 15.

Croatia will open their European Championship campaign against Georgia on January 17. They will then face the Netherlands on January 19, before taking on hosts Sweden on January 21.