One of the strongest teams at Spain 2019, Croatia, proved too much for Kosovo in the Group C opening clash today as they eased to a comfortable six-goal win but despite the loss, Pontevedra will go down in Kosovan sporting history as their men's U21 handball team became the first-ever sports team to represent the country at a world championship

GROUP C
Croatia vs Kosovo 23:17 (14:11)

After 90 seconds in this encounter Kosovan right-winger Albin Xhafolli had written his name in the sporting history books of his country after he scored their first-ever goal in a world championship in any sport at any level or gender. 

His strike drew his side level at 1:1 against Croatia and they kept in touch just until the end of the first half (11:11 – 24th minute) before Davor Dominikovic’s Croatians went three goals clear at the break following a pause for a team time out.

Seven saves from Kosovo’s goalkeeper Art Luzha and four strikes from their captain Jon Muqolli in the first half had kept them competitive on their global bow, but the physical stature of Croatia proved too much in a second half where they restricted their opponents to just six strikes.

A Croatian six-goal lead in the 36th minute was more or less the difference for the rest of the match and when it got to the final five minutes, the difference was eight (23:15).

Despite the loss, Kosovo could take numerous positives from the match as they look to establish themselves on the global handball stage but Croatia, aiming to finally get a medal from an IHF Men’s Junior World Championship, were impressive with Filip Vistorop grabbing seven strikes up front and goalkeeper Ivan Eres ending with nine saves from 15 attempts against him.

“We are happy with all of our game, not only the first half,” said Kosovo captain Jon Muqolli to IHF.info after the match. “We played very good in the defence and offence and we tried to do our best – it was a great feeling.”

Best Player of the Match: Filip Vistorop (CRO)

​​​​​​​Photo: Juan Luis Recio/Spain 2019