Croatian handball legend Jakov Gojun retires after winning 34th championship with RK Zagreb

RK Zagreb has once again cemented its dominance in Croatian handball, securing their 34th national championship title with a decisive 38-32 victory over Sesvete. This win not only adds to their already formidable trophy cabinet but also marks another undefeated season in the Croatian league. Over the years, Zagreb has achieved a remarkable feat, winning all 34 possible Croatian championships and 32 Croatian Cups, accumulating an astounding 66 trophies. The only brief interruption to their domestic dominance was by Metković in 2001 and 2002, who won the Cup during those years.

The final match, held at Kutija šibica, saw Sesvete put up a spirited effort in the initial ten minutes, but Zagreb quickly established control, leading by five goals at halftime. The game was filled with emotion, particularly as it marked the farewell appearances of two captains: Jakov Gojun for Zagreb and Miroslav Šuker for Sesvete. Both players, at different stages of their careers, are moving on to new chapters.

"No, I didn't shed a tear. I've been preparing for this since the beginning of the season," said Jakov Gojun, reflecting on his departure from Zagreb. The atmosphere was also celebratory at the start of the match, with the hall acknowledging the second and third-place teams from the recent Croatian U-17 Championship, both of which featured Zagreb and Sesvete. Several other Zagreb players are also departing for new clubs, including Luka Lovre Klarica heading to Poland's Kielce, Aleks Kavčič to Hungary's Csurg, and Davor Ćavar to Gorica. Polish players Przytula and Walczak, along with Trivković, will also not be part of the team next season.

Gojun expressed his satisfaction with ending his tenure on a high note. "It's nice to leave like this, with the championship title. As I said, it's been a long and difficult season. It wasn't great in the Champions League, but we managed to recover in the Croatian league afterward. First of all, congratulations to my guys who were really good when it mattered most. Regardless of what everyone thinks, winning the double crown is not easy; you have to win every game," he stated. Gojun received a standing ovation eight minutes before the end of the match from both teams and the crowd, a moment that stirred mixed emotions. "It's a really nice feeling. Sadness, happiness, joy – everything is mixed. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart – both our fans and Sesvete's fans. The whole hall was with us. One story is ending, and I'm aware of that. I've been preparing for this, honestly, for half a year. And now, it's time to say enough and go for a well-deserved rest," Gojun concluded. Boris Dvoršek also took his last seat on the Zagreb bench, with Hrvoje Horvat set to replace him.