PHOTO: Croatia Delights In 41:20 Cuba Defeat

The Croatian handball team did an exceptionally professional and beautiful job, they kept crushing the Cubans all match long.

SPLIT, CROATIA – The World Handball Championship is again in the sign of the Croatian squad. After an easy match against Kuwait, another sure deal followed against Cuba. Seeing how amateurs are in question, it is no wonder that the Spaladium Arena in Split was filled to the very last seat.

Defence was very poor at first

Despite this, the atmosphere was good at first, the fans decided to throw an infernal welcome to their team. This was just to show the Spaniards what they were in for. And they are in for a tough opponent, which is something Cuba realised as it was defeated 41:20.

Although Croatia was a favourite, its defence was lacking again and five minutes in the match, the score was 3:3, which did not discourage the home team at all. When the defence was not working right, the goal keeper was: Alilovic caught three balls in a row and Zrnic scored four goals. Quite soon, the score had turned around, 6:3.

However, it is incomprehensible that a team of such humble abilities broke through the Croatian wall with so much ease, from all positions. If it had not been for Mirko Alilovic, Croatia would not be in the lead 7:5, ten minutes after the start, but would be loosing with a two-point difference at least.

Clearly, angry screams of coach Lino Cervar hit home and the Croatian players shifted gears, which was too fast for the Cubans. The audience did not blink and the score was 12:6. And this is when Ivano Balic entered the game”

“Hurricane” might be the name of the period when Cupic, Sprem, Lackovic and Balic were on the court. The defence was just like in the old days, invincible and non-penetrable and the attack was swift and unstoppable. The second half of the first half was absolutely opposite of the first 15 minutes! The Cubans could not find their bearings and the score was 16:7 in the 23 rd minute.

Lackovic and Metlicic worried about poor form

The second part started with Ivan Cupic˙s goals. At first, Goran Sprem could not score, but after a few minutes, he tuned himself and started netting the ball, which makes us safe to say that after a few years, Croatia now has world wings. Cupic, Zrnic, Sprem and Hrvatin score like crazy. On the other hand, the outside line has disappeared. Lackovic is just one of four and Metlicic scored after Zrnic`s zeppelin.

The Cubans were killed by Croatia`s excellent wings, and the score was 34:16 in the 47 th minute, nearly a 20-point difference, which additionally raised the atmosphere. The Spaniards will surely have a tough time.

Any way, this match is a real indicator to all that the criticism started coming too soon. The defence was somewhat weaker in the past two matches than what we are used to, but after 15 minutes, everything was as it should be. If only Lackovic and Metlicic were to join in…

Take a look at the attached photo galleries: Croatia Crushes Cuba 41:20 In Split and World Handball Championship: Croatia - Cuba 41:20.