Euro 2018 in France marks a new era for the Croatian national women's team. With a new coach, young players are ready to gain experience on the international stage.

Vesna Milanovic Liter, Maja Koznjak and Aneta Benko retired after the last Euro 2018 qualifier against Urkraine, said it was time to let young players shine. The team that will come to France will certainly be very young. The oldest player is 29, and most of the other girls were born between 1994 and 1996. The injuries of Marijeta Vidak and Camila Micijevic complicate the task to Nenad Sostaric, the coach, because they will both be absent for this event. competition.

Coach Sostaric and his team are warned. They play in Group C which is very complicated, but they hope for surprises against their powerful opponents: Hungary, Spain and the Netherlands.

The player to watch: Ivana Kapitanovic

Ivana Kapitanovic, goalkeeper of the Croatian team is one of the most important players despite her young age (24 years). Her saves have been crutiaux in many Euro 2018 qualifiers and she will be one of the key players for Croatia in this competition in France.

This young Croatian player is currently playing in France with Metz Handball, which she has joined this season. This is also his first international transfer since it had known only Croatian clubs before. Including Podravka Vegeta with whom she played her first Champions League matches at just 15 years old.

The coach: Nenad Sostaric

Nenad Sostaricest has been at the helm of the Croatian national team since September 2017. He has shaped a young team that is winning, particularly with his impressive performance during the qualification phase of Euro 2018.

Former coach of Zagreb and the national team of Yugoslavia (U18, U20 and senior), the 59-year-old coach has also coached many clubs in Croatia including Lokomotiva Zagreb (2009-2014) where several players of the national team are currently evolving ; In the past, Sostaric has already coached the Croatian national women's team in 2002, as well as the national youth and juniors teams.

Palmares

Euro: best result, 5th place in 1994

Olympics: Best result, 7th place in 2012

World Championship: Best result, 6th place in 1997

The calendar in her hen

Preliminary round at the Axone de Montbéliard (Group C)

  • Saturday 1 December (6 pm): Spain - Croatia
  • Monday 3 December (6 pm): Croatia - Hungary
  • Wednesday 5 December (6 pm): Netherlands - Croatia