Defending champions Croatia hoping to repeat 2022 success

The Croatian men currently hold two global titles – The World Games and the IHF Men’s Beach Handball World Championship – and it was the latter which saw them qualify through to Chengdu 2025.

But despite their impressive trophy cabinet – they also won stage one of the 2025 IHF Beach Handball Global Tour in June – their recent bronze medal at the European Championships held in July in Turkiye will be celebrated, but with a tinge of what might have been.

A dominant semi-final first set against Chengdu 2025 preliminary group rivals Germany in the continental event last month saw the Croatians with one foot in the final, especially after they had beaten them once already, in the preliminary group, 2-1 (26:20, 13:22, SO 10:8).

But the Germans – a somewhat surprise package – turned it around, took it to a shoot-out and won by a single point 1-2 (26:18, 20:22, SO 6:7). However, such is the mental fortitude of Mladen Paradzic’s side they came back from that disappointment to see off Hungary for bronze.

Earlier games in the EURO against possible opponents at The World Games saw a loss to Denmark 0-2 (20:21, 24:25) and win over Portugal 2-1 (18:19, 23:20, SO 11:10).

Despite the European strength, those who have a long association with Croatian men’s handball – particularly coach Paradzik and his captain Ivan Juric – will have one eye on their Friday 8 August clash with perennial The World Games opponents, Brazil.

In four games played between the two teams at The World Games, the South Americans have beaten the Europeans four times – in the preliminary group at Duisburg 2005, semi-finals in 2009 and 2013 and in the gold medal match at Wroclaw 2017. The two did not meet in the USA last time out when Croatia swept aside all in front of them to finally claim their first The World Games gold after three bronzes and one silver in their four previous appearances.

For 38-year-old Juric, now with over 200 national team appearances to his name, he puts down the continued, long-term medal success of his team to familiarity.

“We have been playing together for a long time and know each other very well,” said Juric to The World Games website. “Over the years, the core of the team has been undergoing gradual changes with only a small effect on the result. We are strong because of our tremendous team-work and great atmosphere in the team.

“We don't think we are the best players individually,” he added. “We know we have to train hard to be the best. In my opinion we don't have special talent in the team, but we use it very well. Everyone who thought he was better than other team-mates didn't last long in the team. We just hate to lose, that is why we give everything in every game.”

Juric is one of the faces of global beach handball, known for his laidback personality, but leadership, skill and adaptability on court in both defence and attack. Since making his debut back in 2007 at the European Championship, he has only known medals in The World Games and has the full collection.

But that does not stop him wanting more.

“We always say that it is more difficult to qualify to The World Games than to win it,” said Juric. “There are only seven spots available in addition to the hosts and many great teams didn't make it to Chengdu, especially from Europe.

“With all due respect to the other qualified teams, I see Brazil and Denmark as the two major threats. Brazil is the only team with whom we have a negative score record, and we have played against Denmark in two consecutive world championship finals, but other teams will be very motivated to beat us too, since we are the current World Championship and The World Games title holders.”

For a large part of his journey with Croatia, Juric has been joined by specialist Ivan Dumencic, voted as the MVP of the 2024 IHF Men’s Beach Handball World Championship last year where the Croatians saw beat two of their Chengdu 2025 opponents 2-0. Their journey to gold took featured nine straight wins, against Portugal (2-0), Puerto Rico (2-0) and Argentina (2-0) in the preliminary group, Qatar (2-0), USA (2-1) and Germany (2-0) in the main round, Hungary (2-1) in the quarter-finals, Portugal (2-0) in the semi-finals and then Denmark in the final 2-1 (23:18, 18:23, SO 9:6).

Along with Dumencic being voted into the All-star Team, Lucian Bura also got in, as best right wing, while Croatia also won the overall Fair Play award, highlighting the very essence of the sport. Bura was also in the Birmingham 2022 All-star Team too, along with teammate, goalkeeper Dominic Markovic. Bura also ended as top-scorer at the European Championships, on 143 points, with teammate Valentino Valentakovic also making the All-star Teams as best defender.

Coach: Mladen Paradzik
Key players: Ivan Juric (Left Back), Lucian Bura (Right Wing), Ivan Dumencic (Specialist), Dominic Markovic (Goalkeeper)
Qualification information: 1st – 2024 IHF Men’s Beach Handball World Championship
History in tournament: 2001: DNQ, 2005: 3rd, 2009: 3rd, 2013: 3rd, 2017: 2nd, 2022: 1st
Group at The World Games Chengdu 2025: Group A – Brazil, Germany, Croatia, Portugal