DistantNews
Support us
The 'Team Mom' Behind Croatia's Football Glory: Iva Olivari's Journey
๐Ÿ‡ญ๐Ÿ‡ท Croatia /Sports

The 'Team Mom' Behind Croatia's Football Glory: Iva Olivari's Journey

From Veฤernji List · () Croatian

Translated from Croatian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • Iva Olivari, known as the "team mom," is a key figure behind the Croatian national football team's major successes.
  • She has held a high-ranking position within the Croatian Football Federation (HNS) since 1992, currently serving as deputy secretary-general.
  • Olivari manages all aspects of the team's operations, including travel, accommodation, and player care, earning her the nickname.
  • Her career includes significant achievements, such as being the first woman to sit on the national team's bench during an official match and receiving state honors.

Behind the Croatian national football team's greatest achievements, from the 2018 World Cup silver to the 2022 World Cup bronze, stands Iva Olivari, affectionately known as the "team mom." Olivari holds the distinction of being the highest-ranking female official in the history of the Croatian Football Federation (HNS), serving as its deputy secretary-general.

Olivari's involvement with the national team dates back to 1992, a period when Croatian football was establishing its international presence. She has progressed through various roles within the federation, ultimately taking on the demanding position of team manager for the senior national team in 2014. Her responsibilities are extensive, encompassing the organization of travel and accommodation, complex communication with FIFA and UEFA, and the daily care and logistical support for the players. This dedication and accessibility have earned her the cherished nickname "mama reprezentacije" (team mom), reflecting the deep trust she has built with generations of players, including captain Luka Modriฤ‡, whose career she has followed since his youth.

She has experienced five World Cups and six European Championships with the national team, witnessing and contributing to their historic successes. Olivari's contributions have been recognized with the Order of the Croatian Trefoil and the Memorial of Homeland's Gratitude. A significant milestone in her career occurred at Euro 2016 in France, where she became the first woman to occupy a seat on the national team's bench during an official match, breaking barriers in a male-dominated sport.

Before her pivotal role in football, Olivari had a notable career as a tennis player. At 14, she became the junior champion of Yugoslavia and famously defeated Steffi Graf in a tournament in Germany. A severe injury tragically cut short her tennis aspirations, but her passion for sports led her to a successful career in football management. Olivari maintains a private personal life, married to sports journalist Davorin Olivari, with whom she has two children, Fran and Lea, who have pursued higher education in sports and political science, respectively.

Both medals I keep in a safe at the bank!

โ€” Iva OlivariReferring to the medals won by the Croatian national football team.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Veฤernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog