PHOTO: Croatia Brings France Down 22:19

Croatia crushed France 22:19 with fantastic defence. Next up is Poland for the coveted final match of the World Championship.

Undefeated teams meet in a match which has no bearing when it comes to the score, but is of great significance when it comes to prestige. The French and Croats, the greatest of rivals, two greatest teams of the past decade are prepared to face off and take each other`s title of undefeated team.

Petar Metlicic and Ivano Balic are not included in the line up, while the French decided to play in their toughest line-up, only injured Dinart is missing. The novelty in the Croatian team is Goran Sprem, unjustedly ignored wing player, who was pushed out of the line-up by Mateo Hrvatin for unfamiliar reasons.

Croatia has the first attack, headed by Domagoj Duvnjak, but a few kicks followed, hinting that this would not be a friendly game. Kopljar tried to score first, but failed for Croatia. Soon, Croat Zrnic scores for 1:0. Jullion equalises, and then the real match began for both teams, while the goals lacked. It is only in the fifth minute that Igor Vori scored for the hosts, setting the score at 2:1.

France`s second goalkeeper showed that he is as good as Omeyer, but something else thrilled the fans at Zagreb`s Arena hall.

Goran Sprem stole a ball and sneaked a goal, emotionally celebrating it with the audience. Croatia coach Lino Cervar can be praised about many things, but he has a mar at this championship for neglecting such an excellent player.

Everyone continued on the wings of his emotions, the score was 4:2 for Croatia in the 9 th minute. However, the French are too tough to let the score get away from them and Abalo reduced the difference in an excellent counter-attack. Karabou entered the scorers` list and the French returned in the 12 th minute with Joullion`s goal, setting the score at 4:4. Blazenko Lackovic ends Croatia`s fasting and the hosts are back in the lead.

Sprem made things a bit harder as he was excluded, but Croatia`s goalkeeper Losert caught a ball from the 7-metre line. Karabou defends more shots that Croatia`s Losert. Still, as it was expected, not many goals were scored. The score was 7:6 in the 22 nd minute, which is unbelievable at first glance, but if considered that the beigest amount of goals the French received was 21 at this championship, the score is not surprising at all.

Amidst all the torture to score goals, two counter-attacks followed with both teams, even Kopljar managed to score. However, what shook things up for both teams was Blaz Lackovic`s goal in the 27 th minute, for 10:7. Onesta called a time-out immediately.

There are no words to describe Croatia`s defence. Leaving France at only seven goals in the 30 th minute is something that nobody has ever managed to do. Croatia leads 11:7 at the end of the first half.

Take a look in the attached photo gallery: Croatia - France, First Half 11:7.

Second half

Croatia continues playing at a tough pace in the second half, remaining an enigma for the French rivals. The hosts steal the ball in the first attack, while Croatia`s Losert defended a sure shot. Sprem used the calm to score in the 34 th minute, and the score is 12:7!

Onesta introduced the entire first line-up, but Karabatic was excluded straight away, leaving  France with a man down. Croat Igor Vori punished this with two goals and his personal score was 6/6, setting the score at 15:9!

A solid part of the match followed, the French threatened mostly through Karabatic, but the Valcic brothers regained a four-point advantage for Croatia. Losert had a few good catches, and master Igor Vori scores his seventh goal out of seven attempts, setting the score at 19:14.

Croatia stumbles upon a rough patch and the French score a three-point mini-series, making the hosts fear the outcome. If the outcome is positive for Croatia, the team will play against Poland, which won second place in Zadar.

Goalkeeper Venio Losert was the hero in the final five minutes, lining several defences, which brought Croatia to the score 22:19 and a big, coveted and significant win. The best player of the match was Igor Vori.

“Morska vila”, the Cowboys` signature song resounded in the Arena hall, because Croatia won with an unbelievable eight-goal advantage, for the first time. May it resound the ninth and the tenth time afterwards!

Take a look at the attached photo gallery: Croatia Brings Down France 22:19.