Croatia fill double-gap in senior teams’ coaching positions

Following the two major national team competitions in indoor handball there has been a void at the helm of Croatia’s senior national teams.

After the preliminary round knockout at the Women’s EHF EURO 2014, head coach Vladimir Canjuga resigned – and his men’s team counterpart did the same after Croatia failed to reach the semi-finals at the World Championship 2015.

At the Croatian federation’s board meeting at the end of February both positions were filled again, with Zeljko Babic (pictured) becoming the new men’s head coach and Goran Mrden taking over the women’s team.

Babic had been Goluza’s assistant coach in the past. Furthermore he is coaching this season’s VELUX EHF Champions League participants HC Meshkov Brest.

"It's a great honour, but also a great responsibility. I hope to be able to fulfill all the expectations of the Croatian public and contribute to an even greater quality of the Croatian handball team," Babic said shortly after his nomination.

His first challenge will be Croatia’s upcoming EHF EURO 2016 Qualification matches against Norway on 29 April and 3 May.

The new man at helm of the women’s team is Goran Mrden, the current coach of this season’s Women’s EHF Champions League participants HC Podravka Vegeta.

The first big matches for him will come in June when Croatia face Sweden in the World Championship Play-offs.