ZAGREB, CROATIA – After two matches on Saturday, the most interesting one came for the hosts, who played against Hungary!

The atmosphere was supreme, every single seat was taken in the Arena and the noise was terrifying. The Hungarians were welcomed by a huge amount of pressure, while Croats were welcomed with support. It is hard to believe in anything else apart from the hosts` victory, regardless of the fact that Hungary beat them in the qualifiers for the 2010 European Championship.

The match was played “goal for goal”, all until Herbert was sent off in the 14 th minute. Croatia`s Hrvatin took advantage of this situation. The Hungarians outplayed the Croatian defence well. However, Hrvatin takes Croatia into the lead and the luck is with the hosts, because the Hungarians hit the goal frame, enabling a two-difference attack for Croatia. Lackovic scored in the 18 th minute for 9:7!

Whenever Croatia hit if off, there was Laszlo Nagy and scored. He was an unsolvable enigma for the Croatian defence and took the Hungarians in the lead in the 22 nd minute, with the score 11:10. Afterwards, the Hungarians did not let go of the advantage and the hosts got their chance after Balic`s magical assist for Vori. A 7-metre line shot was called, netted by Ivan Cupic. Croatia`s back in the game.

They used the period when the Hungarians were a man down and Petar Metlicic made sure the score was 14:12, which was the final result of the first half. This time, Croatia`s defence was too frequently broken.

Three points more with a man less

Unfortunately, the second part started likewise, the Hungarians had no problems breaking through Croatia`s defence. At first goalkeeper Alilovic mended the result, but he is not omni-potent. This was the best match of the championship as far a Tonci Valcic is concerned. He showed this with his 15 th goal for Croatia.

The team`s captain Petar Metlicic was no poorer, his game was truly worthy of a captain. He stole balls playing for the defence, scored in the attack and assisted as well.

Alilovic and Metlicic sensed that they lacked incentive from the stands and invited the audience to raise its voice, which is exactly what the viewers did. All the conditions were there for Croatia to play full throttle. Unfortunately, something was missing in order for the team to capitalise on that. Young Gojun who was the first excluded Croatian player in the 37 th minute.

As if the hosts needed this to turn the match around, because during this period they did not take a goal and they scored two in a line, taking them to a three-point difference at 19:16 in the 39  th minute. With Gojun`s return, the score just went up and victory was in sight for Croatia in the 43 rd minute at 20:16.

The Hungarians made another threat, attained 20:18, but Duvnjak and Valcic destroyed what little hope was left. Only ten minutes before the end, Croatia was successfully at 23:19, just ten minutes away from the semi-finals!

Until the very end, the hosts just improved their leadership and the final score was 27:22. The celebration could begin, “Morska vila” song resounded in Zagreb, their ritual celebratory cheer.

With this victory, Croatia is virtually in the semi-finals. In theory, if the Slovak Republic defeated the hosts and then beat the Swedes, Croatia would be out. However, if Croatia plays at least a draw with the Slovaks, they`re in.

You can see the atmosphere before and during the match in the photo galleries:

Croatian Fans Take Every Seat At The Arena

Croatia - Hungary, First Half 14:12

Croatia - Hungary, Second Half 27:22

Croatia Celebrates Defeating Hungary 27:22

Croatia Gives Statements After Beating Hungary