Youthful Croatia faces Hungary in World Cup quarterfinals

Croatia's water polo team is heading to the World Cup final tournament in Sydney with a youthful squad, primarily composed of under-20 players, supplemented by a few slightly older athletes. This strategy aligns with the Croatian Water Polo Federation's goal of using the Sydney tournament to further integrate the team ahead of the European Championship in Varna next month, while also offering an opportunity for these younger players to potentially impress for the senior national team.

Coach Zoran Bajić acknowledged the challenge, stating, "We came with a rejuvenated team, we will play against the strongest world competition and national teams that, unlike us, came in full and strongest lineups." He noted that Croatia is the only team in Sydney with a complete B team plus five players from the A squad, all of whom are very young. "We are glad to be changing our best national team and we will do everything to justify the given trust. We will try to be as good as possible," Bajić said before the competition.

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We came with a rejuvenated team, we will play against the strongest world competition and national teams that, unlike us, came in full and strongest lineups. How I am informed, only we came to Sydney with a complete B team plus five players from the A team, but also very young. We are glad that we are changing our best national team and we will do everything to justify the given trust. We will try to be as good as possible.

The World Cup final tournament operates on an elimination system, with the first match being the quarterfinals. Croatia's opponent will be Hungary, the current world and European runner-up. "The draw is not in our favor. Hungary is here in full strength, they even have the deadly left-hander Zalanki back after two years," Bajić commented. He urged his players to show their talent and play with "head and tail," emphasizing bravery and skill. "The most important thing is that they are brave enough and sportingly audacious and show why they are considered the future of Croatian water polo. Let them give their all, let it be a great school for them because many of them will play against the best players in the world for the first time," he added.

The match between Croatia and Hungary is scheduled for Thursday at 12:15 PM Croatian time.

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The draw is not in our favor. Hungary is here in full strength, they even have the deadly left-hander Zalanki back after two years. We will try to be ready, to fight, so that our play has head and tail, as they say. The only thing I ask of my players is to show their talent to the world, to show themselves in the best possible light. The most important thing is that they are brave enough and sportingly audacious and show why they are considered the future of Croatian water polo. Let them give their all, let it be a great school for them because many of them will play against the best players in the world for the first time.