Croatia defeated the African runners-up Algeria 31-20 as they picked up yet another easy victory and can now focus their attention on what lies ahead. It was the Ivan Čupic show in the first half, as he scored seven of Croatia’s 15 to give them a three goal lead after a half hour. Croatia looked sloppy by their standards but had the quality and speed on the counterattack to see it out fairly easily. The second half started slow for the Croats as Algeria improved its defense, but their efforts were futile as the Cowboys eventually pulled away to win by 11. Čupić led all scorers with eight goals, with Drago Vuković and Marko Kopljar each adding four.
It wasn’t all good news however, as Blaženko Lacković suffered a hand injury that leaves him questionable for tomorrow’s game against Hungary. He had been recovering from a broken hand prior to the tournament and appeared to “bang it up” as he crashed to the floor. He expects to be able to play tomorrow.
Slavko Goluza (Croatian coach): “We had prepared well and I am pleased with the way we defended today. We kept the intensity high and additionally I had the opportunity to give playing time to all players. I hope that Lacković will be able to play tomorrow despite his finger injury. Our next opponent Hungary is very, very strong and will not be the same as at the Olympic Games in London. They have a stronger defence and play much faster in attack. But I am optimistic that we can reach a positive result with our squad.”
Salah Bourchekriou (Algerian coach): “This match was completely different to the opener against Spain. Today our problem was the size of the Croatian players. They were so tall that we could not get chances from the wings. The first half was a good sign, but in the second half Croatia increased the gap easily.”
I know, but why not have 2 or 3 teams go through?
you still want to finish at the top of your group as opposed to 3rd or 4th so you avoid playing a top-tier team in the round of 16.
@Zach
12:15 is correct. Good catch.
And I’m pretty sure its 12:15 PT
Not only is the group stage watered down, four out of six in each group go through which makes it almost pointless
Very few of the non-European teams in handball are competitive, its pretty much South Korea and Tunisia to a lesser extent. Tunisia already beat Germany in this tournament, they are a tough team to play because they are dirty and physical in their approach to ever match while Korea have players playing in Europe
This handball World Championships though doesn’t mean much anyway, sure it would be great to win but the 2015 edition will be more important as Olympic berths are on the line
Croatia face Hungary today at 12:30 PT.
Handball site:
http://goo.gl/heoJ2
Live Feed:
http://atdhenet.tv/
I don’t know a damn thing about handball, except for who are better players are, how we finished at major tournaments, etc.
this video always gets my hyped though – Balic = Legendo!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v63mHA0YTmo
The water polo world championships are also pretty bad in the group phase.
BTW only in Zagreb
http://www.croatiantimes.com/news/General_News/2013-01-15/31723/Lesbian_Virgin_Mary_offends_Croatian_Christians
@ Ziva,
I agree with you. That’s why the Euro, which WAS, the best tournament in the world is going to suck in 2016. Now the Israels and Austrias will be in consistently with the big boys.
But still not as watered down as these handball tournaments. Teams getting lit up my 20+ goals?! Caman!!!
I’ve learned to not take any Cilic match for granted…
Donna Vekic with a great 6-1, 6-2 victory in her 1st Grand Slam against a “decent” opponent (62nd in the world). Only 16
@ante….soccer’s world cup has been watered down when it went to 32 teams, but still not as bad as the handball worlds.
The true litmus test for this team and for Goluza and Gobac will be the knockout stage and if this team makes the semis. A semi appearance legitimizes the non call up of Balic. Anything short of the semis opens up those two to criticism.
@Zach…….CIlic has an easy draw for the first three rounds. There is no excuse for him not to make it into the 4th round when you look at his draw.
3 Croats down already at the Aussie Open
Vekic, Dodig, and Cilic play tonight
Seriously great job! I didn’t get to see the game, but this was just as good. And thanks for the link to a schedule.
Fantastic write up as always Zach!
It just sucks how much more superior the European teams are compared to the rest of the field. Hungary shouldn’t be taken lightly tomorrow as they finished 4th at the Olympics but the tournament really starts against Spain for Croatia in the last group match.
I don’t remember another world championship in any other sport that has been so watered down like handball.