Hezonja and Zubac join the national team ahead of Italy friendly

The Croatian national team is set to play a friendly against Italy on Wednesday. This will be followed by World Cup pre-qualifiers against Cyprus on July 3rd, and against Israel three days later in Osijek.

After four rounds of play Croatia is first in Group "E" with seven points. Germany is second with seven points and a worse point for and against tally. Israel is third with six points, while Cyprus is last with four. Croatia, Germany and Israel have already secured a place in the final round of qualification.

Coach Tomislav Mijatović and his team are currently preparing for the qualification cycle in the resort town of Opatija, where they were joined by Real Madrid forward Mario Hezonja and Indiana Pacers center Ivica Zubac.

"We were fantastic in the first four qualifiers, even in the game we lost we were very close to beating a serious and experienced team. Things are going very well, but I've never played for coach Mijatović before, so this will be a new experience and a chance to see what's new," Zubac said after Tuesday’s practice.

Hezonja is also very positive about the team’s outlook: "We have created a phenomenal base with all of us here these past few years. Our chemistry has never been better, and that’s the most important thing, especially going into the summer. As for the two games, hopefully we'll take care of business on the court, get the points and keep moving forward."

Along with Zubac and Hezonja, veteran Dario Šarić is also on hand, as well as some youth with New Orleans Pelicans power forward Karlo Matković.

Source: HRT