HANDBALL

SRNA AND KLARICA LEAD RK ZAGREB TO THE CELEBRATION IN SZEGED

tsg_news February 12, 2025

SZEGED – RK ZAGREB 26:27 (13:15)
Szeged: Thulin 6 saves, Mikler 4 saves; Smarason, Bodo 2, Jelinić 5, Šoštarić 8, Frimmel 3, Banhidi 2, Kalarash, Toto, Kukić 2, Rea, Garciandia 3, Mačkovšek, Rod 1, Szilagyi. Coach: Michael Apelgren
RK Zagreb: Grbavac, Mandić 12 saves; Hadžić, Walczak 2, Faljić 1, Klarica 5, Gojun, Srna 8, Kraljević, Gavrić, Dibirov 3, Bialiauski 3, Kavčič 1, Glavaš 4, Trivković. Coach: Velimir Petković

In the 11th round of the handball Machineseeker EHF Champions League, the first after the winter break and the World Championship, Zagreb‘s handball players visited Szeged in Hungary. In a great match in which the Croatian national team members Zvonimir Srna, Luka Klarica and Filip Glavaš led the Zagreb team, the Croatian champions eventually won 26:27. The trio mentioned above scored as many as 17 goals, and immensely helped Zagreb open the second part of the season in the Champions League in the best possible way. The next match is scheduled for Saturday when Spačva from Vinkovci arrives in Zagreb in the new round of the Croatian championship. The excitement in the Champions League continues next Wednesday in Arena Zagreb against Norwegian Kolstad.

Before the start of the match, the organizers awarded commemorative gifts to the silver medalists from the recently concluded WC – Luka Klarica, Zvonimir Srna and Filip Glavaš, as well as Marin Jelinić and Mario Šoštarić. From the very beginning, the people of Zagreb showed that they made good use of the preparations and were ready to await the continuation of the season in which they will need more in the elite ranks of European club handball than in the first part if they want to make the Playoffs.

Initially, the defense was solid and mobile, while the ‘Lions’ were patient in attack and waited for the right opportunity. Klarica and Srna were at a great level, as were Glavaš on the wing and Bialiauski at point guard. The Croatian champions controlled the result from the very beginning and went to the break with +2 (13:15).

The first part was significant for the Zagreb team away from home against the favored Szeged, however, the ‘Lions’ found a way to add more speed in the second part! Matej Mandić added several complex defenses. Zvonimir Srna and Luka Klarica, Adin Faljić and Patryk Walczak, who took turns ‘on the line’, continued in a great offensive and defensive match. In the middle of the first part, Zagreb is at +5 (18:23). A little more than five minutes before the referee’s final whistle, Szeged returned to only -2 with two tied goals, but Zagreb did not give up. Zvonimir Srna is inexorable in the attack, and the Lions end up with a great victory at 26:27!

Eight goals by Zvonimir Srna, five by Luka Klarica, four by Filip Glavaš and 12 saves by Matej Mandić. At Szeged, Mario Šoštarić scored eight times, while Marin Jelinić added five.

The next match for Zagreb is scheduled for Saturday, when Spačva from Vinkovac will visit the capital as part of the new round of Package 24 of the Premier League. New challenges in the Champions League are on the schedule next Wednesday, when the Norwegian Kolstad will visit the Arena.

I am happy and satisfied with the points and with the team that fought brilliantly for all 60 minutes. The guys did everything we agreed upon superbly. We started strong from the first minute. In the last ten minutes, we lost a bit of strength and opened up a chance for Szeged to come back into the match. However, as ‘sweet’ as this one-goal victory is, I think the players deserved at least +3 or +4 considering what they showed – Velimi Petković, RK Zagreb Head Coach

After almost three months, it meant a lot to me to be back on the field, in goal. Unique emotions for me today. We played a great game today. Last year we were close and then lost in the final, but today everything came back to us. We fought until the end, showed character and here we are, a great victory. Next Wednesday, we have the opportunity to achieve another victory against Kolstad. We hope that the hall will be full and that we will receive excellent support from our fans. We got an extra dose of self-confidence with this victory, and I hope that on the wings of this result we will continue towards our goal, the Champions League Playoffs – Matej Mandić, RK Zagreb Goalkeeper

SOURCE: RK Zagreb