Croatia Dominates World Cup Qualifiers, Nearing Qatar Berth

Croatia's national basketball team is steamrolling through the World Cup qualifiers, demonstrating a level of dominance rarely seen in international play. After decisively defeating Cyprus and Israel, Latvia became the latest victim, falling by a significant margin. Remarkably, Croatia has scored over 100 points in each of their three recent victories, a feat more akin to NBA action than European qualifiers.

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Incredible atmosphere, truly incredible. The audience even cheered a little more at the end when they saw how emotional we were and that this was it.

This impressive performance is not solely due to individual brilliance, though NBA talents like Ivica Zubac and Karlo Matković, along with former NBA player Dario Šarić and potential returnee Mario Hezonja, provide a significant boost. Zubac and Matković form a formidable presence in the paint, limiting opponents' opportunities. However, the team's success also hinges on the contributions of players like Luka Božić, Dominik Mavra, and Toni Nakić, showcasing the squad's depth and overall quality.

With a current record of 6-1 after seven games, Croatia is in a strong position, mirroring Germany's standing and trailing only undefeated Poland. The next challenge comes on Sunday with an away game against the Netherlands. This match is pivotal, as a victory would bring Croatia significantly closer to securing a spot in the World Cup in Qatar.

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Thank God, we achieved a very important result for us. I think this is a big deal.

While mathematically qualification is not yet guaranteed, with remaining games against Poland and the Netherlands, the team has laid a strong foundation. Notably, Croatia's opponents will also face challenges with key players absent. Poland will be without Miličić, the Netherlands without Maast, and Latvia without Kristaps Porziņģis. This situation further clarifies Croatia's path, making the World Cup a tangible goal rather than a distant aspiration.

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For Croatia, for the public, and for all of us, this is truly a big step.

The atmosphere in Zadar during the recent games was electric, with the crowd showing immense support, particularly for former player Luka Božić. Božić expressed his gratitude for the "incredible atmosphere," highlighting the emotional connection between the team and the fans. He emphasized the significance of the win for Croatia, acknowledging it as a major step towards their World Cup ambitions, even as he maintains focus on each game individually.

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I don't know too much about them, we haven't even touched upon the Netherlands yet.