Croatia has made history by securing its place among the top four teams at the 2025 Men’s Handball World Championship, thanks to their dramatic 31-30 victory against Hungary on January 28, 2025. This win, celebrated by 15,600 enthusiastic fans at Arena Zagreb, marks Croatia’s first semi-final appearance since 2017.
The quarter-final clash against Hungary was no cakewalk, as the Croatian team found themselves trailing with only five minutes left and the scoreboard reading 26-30. Yet, the belief within the Croatian squad shone through as they mounted a stunning comeback. The crowning moment came just before the final whistle when Marin Šipić scored the decisive goal, clinching the match just as time expired.
The game kicked off with Croatia taking early control and leading 4-2, but as the first half progressed, Hungary managed to gain momentum, building up their lead and forcing Croatia’s coach Dagur Sigurdsson to rethink strategies. Notably, Sigurdsson’s ejection for protesting referee decisions unexpectedly energized the Croatian team.
It was Filip Glavaš who sparked Croatia’s scoring resurgence, hitting two long-range goals during Hungary’s 7-on-5 strategy halfway through the first half. By the close of the first half, both teams stood equal at 16-16, setting the stage for a gripping second half.
The second half opened with Hungary edging slightly ahead, but Croatia's goalkeeper, Dominik Kuzmanović, made remarkable saves, even scoring himself from the opposite end, propelling Croatia to reclaim the lead at 20-19. Yet, Hungary responded with vigor, executing their own scoring run and pulling away to 24-21.
A timeout called by Sigurdsson appeared pivotal, energizing the Croatians to execute their own 3-0 run, yet Hungary's coach countered efficiently, leading to Hungary’s 30-26 lead with mere minutes remaining. The stakes were high, and Croatia needed to respond quickly.
Sigurdsson's tactical shift, swapping Kuzmanović out for Ivan Pešić, proved brilliant as Pešić made several back-to-back key saves. Under pressure, Croatia hit back fiercely with four unanswered goals. Glavaš’s penalty strike leveled the match at 30-30, bringing hope back to the Croatian supporters.
With only seconds left to play, Hungary squandered possession, allowing Croatia one final opportunity. The ball found Šipić, who scored without opposition, sealing Croatia's thrilling 31-30 win and sending the crowd erupting with joy.
Following the match, goalkeeper Laszlo Bartucz of Hungary expressed disappointment, saying, "We didn’t panic; we started to fight, and they fought as well. The game was in our hands, but we lost it." Veteran player Mate Lekai echoed similar sentiments, stating, "It’s always easier to play poorly and win than to play well and lose." His reflections highlight the high stakes and the emotional toll of such pivotal matches.
Looking ahead, Croatia will face the winner of the quarter-final match between France and Egypt, scheduled to take place shortly. The team aims to advance to the finals, with hopes high after besting Hungary, underscoring their potent team cohesion and strategic resilience throughout this championship.
This victory also stands as the seventh time Croatia has reached the semi-finals of the Men’s Handball World Championship, reinforcing their legacy as one of the world’s top handball teams. With their eyes on the prize, fans worldwide eagerly await Croatia's next clash, hoping for another memorable performance.