SPLIT, CROATIA - This time it was Sweden’s turn. This was in the thoughts of the handball players, fans and lovers of Croatian handball.

The quick play, strength and efficiency that was seen against Spain found its way into the Croatian team against Sweden in Split’s full Spaladium Arena. Croatia won 30:26, after great game-play.

Sweden proved to be much more dangerous than Spain

Even though Spain were eliminated, which lessened Croatia’s great victory, Croatia should fear nothing, Croatia should be feared. Sweden used panic and accusations of spying to prove that they fear the obstacle that was in their path.

The defence immediately moved fiercely and easily stopped Sweden’s first attack, which immediately helped Metlicic to come to the first lead. The next attack was stopped by Alilovic, and everything looked like the match against Spain. However Croatia did not manage to pull away from Sweden, Doder scored for 1:1.

Sweden then took the lead because their goalkeeper Palick saved Croatian shots and it was visible that a very tense match will be played. In the seventh minute the score was 3:2 for Sweden.

Soon it was +2 for the Swedes, but Lino recognized this and put Ivano Balic to work. This brought the balance back and Croatia returned to 4:4. The aggressiveness and speed forced Sweden to play more roughly, and soon Croatia had an extra player, which Balic crowned with a goal. In two minutes the score went from -2 to +1 for Croatia.

Blaz shoots like a canon

However, when it all looked like that Croatia will widen their lead, something occurred which should not have. With an extra player, Croatia received two goals in a row and Sweden took the lead again. It is as if Croatia needs such situations, because Alilovic immediately saved a 7 meter penalty, Cupic phenomenally shoots past Palick, and Vori provoked a suspension.

Unfortunately, Cervar left Sprem on the grandstands again, so that Croatia’s play suffered from Hrvatin’s inefficiency. His miss with an extra player led Sweden to a new equalisation, and then a lead, because Lackovic was suspended.

Sweden constantly catch up to Croatian lead

In the next minute was marked by Blaz. Excellent play forced Anferson to another suspension, and Lackovic scored himself. He took Croatia to 10:9, but they did not make use of their extra player.

The match was too equal for a larger difference, and Croatia just managed to finish the first half with a 14:13 lead in the last seconds thanks to Lackovic. It is up to Sweden to chase the result.

SECOND HALF

They soon caught up, Doder was an unsolvable riddle for Alilovic, so Lino brought in Losert, which was successful. Croatia managed to achieve a three point lead in the 34th minute, which was the largest lead so far. We need to mention that Petar Metlicic scored Croatia’s first goal in the first and second half.

Led by their captain, Losert saved shots, and the offence scored. In six minutes, Croatia worked their way to a five point lead, and amongst the scorers was Gojun, who excellently stole the ball, and Croatia was a speeding train.

Counter attacks broke Sweden totally

“Let them get goals painstakingly, painstakingly” shouted Ivano Balic during the minutes of rest. That showed what Croatia wants and how much they want it. Sweden’s boat was slowly sinking.

However, the sinking was to be slowed down due to Croatia’s roughness, which led to two suspensions for Croatia and let Sweden come back to a three point disadvantage. A few minutes later it was -2, all because of Croatia’s rush. In the 45th minute it was 22:20 and Sweden was brought back to life.

The real match started then, in Croatia’s style, broken, firm and before all tense. There was no more goal after goal, but save after save. The goalkeepers defended all shots, the players’ hands were heavy, and the end seemed a long way off for Croatia, and so close for Sweden.

However Ivan Cupic brought the end closer with fast counter attacks, and most importantly they were efficient. In the 55th minute Sweden was losing 29:23, and Mirko Alilovic locked his goal. It is certain, Croatia has four points and now Croatia needs wins against Hungary or Slovakia for the battle to win medals.

The end of the match passed with the singing and celebration of all those in the Spaladium Arena. Split removed the curse of the cursed city for the Croatian team. Croatia is first, they will carry four points on, and that is most important. The fact that Croatia dominantly beat Sweden should worry all of Croatia’s future opponents. They should be concerned, Croatia seems to be unstoppable.

Take a look at the photo galleries: Croatia vs Sweden First Half and Croatia vs Sweden Second Half.