Croatian Handball Loses a Legend: Josip Milković Passes Away

Croatian handball is mourning the loss of Josip Milković, a prominent figure who passed away on June 8, 2026. Milković left an indelible mark on the sport as both a player and a coach, contributing significantly to the national and international handball scene.

Born in Zagreb, Milković began his handball journey there, achieving success with Medveščak by winning championship titles in 1964 and 1965, along with two Cup victories in 1965 and 1970. His club career also saw him reach the European Champions' Cup final in 1965 with Medveščak. As a player for the Yugoslavian national team, he earned 103 caps and scored 310 goals. Notably, he was the top scorer at the 1964 World Championship with 32 goals, sharing the title with two other players. He later secured a bronze medal with Yugoslavia at the 1970 World Championship in France.

After concluding his playing career, Milković transitioned to coaching. He started at Medveščak and went on to coach several German clubs, including VfL Günzburg, MTSV Schwabing, Bayer Leverkusen, and THW Kiel. His leadership extended to the national level, as he twice took the helm as the head coach of the Croatian national handball team, further cementing his legacy in the sport.