Croatian Gymnasts Ready for European Championships in Zagreb

The European Championships in artistic gymnastics commence today at Zagreb's Arena, with the senior women's qualification rounds kicking off the competition.

Croatia will be represented by five gymnasts: Tina Zelčić, Christina Zwicker, Tijana Korent, Mila Prpić, and Erin Bakran. Tina Zelčić expressed her anticipation for the competition, stating her physical readiness and confidence from previous World Cup silver medals. "If the pieces fall into place and I perform my routine as I do in training, I think I can fight for the final," she said, also encouraging local support.

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I am looking forward to today's performance and I hope I will perform my routine from start to finish as I know how. I can say that I am physically really ready. There were good performances during the season, I won two silver medals at the World Cups, so we entered the preparation period before the European Championship full of elan. Now it's all in the head, but if the pieces fall into place and I perform my routine as I do in training, I think I can fight for the final. I hope that spectators will come to support us in as large a number as possible, I think this is a unique opportunity for people who have not had the chance to watch gymnastics live to see a spectacle in the Zagreb Arena and experience all the charms of gymnastics.

Christina Zwicker returns to the all-around competition at a major event after a four-year hiatus due to injuries. "I expect to complete it from start to finish," Zwicker stated, acknowledging the high level of competition, including strong contingents from Russia, Italy, France, Great Britain, and Romania.

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We will watch a phenomenal all-around competition in Zagreb. After several years, the Russians have returned, and all the best of the best are here, not only in Europe but also in the world. There are also Italians, French, British, Romanians, and other gymnastics superpowers. My preparations for the championship went very well, we had our selection competitions, and I can really say that everything went quite well. Considering that I am returning to the all-around after a long four years and after the injuries that started that year 2022, and then dragged on one after another, for starters, I expect to complete it from start to finish.

Marko Brez, the head coach of the senior women's national team, confirmed the team's readiness. "All are prepared, they have had very good preparations," Brez said. "The desire and ambitions are, first of all, for the girls to enjoy themselves in their country, in their city, to show themselves in the best possible light in front of their audience, their parents, friends, family."

Historically, the Croatian senior women's team has not secured any medals at the European Championships. Their best results include three apparatus finals in 2020, where Tijana Korent placed eighth on vault, and Christina Zwicker finished sixth on uneven bars and seventh on balance beam.

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This year, ten seniors fought for five positions in the national team. Two weeks ago, we finished control training and final checks with the gymnasts who will perform for the national team. All are prepared, they have had very good preparations. The podium training also went very well, so we can wait for today's qualifications with confidence. The desires and ambitions are, first of all, for the girls to enjoy themselves in their country, in their city, to show themselves in the best possible light in front of their audience, their parents, friends, family.