Croatia want to confirm their spot for Sweden 2016

Croatia started their qualification campaign with wins against Slovenia and FYR Macedonia in Group 4, followed by another win and a loss against EHF EURO 2012 champions Montenegro in Rounds 3 and 4.

Given this comfortable position, as they currently top the group with six points, they now want to finish the job and qualify for the EHF EURO 2016 in Sweden, with wins in the return legs against Slovenia (1 June) and FYR Macedonia (5 June).

“We need to play seriously from the beginning. A point from the match against Slovenia is enough for us, but we need to be careful because Slovenia have not given up yet. A win against us could ensure them the third best place in all groups,” says head coach Goran Mrđen.

“We are going to play both matches as best as we can. If the match against Macedonia will be decisive, we as a host in Rijeka, I can tell, are much better team with more quality then they have.”

One of the most experienced players in the team, Vesna Milanović Litre, plays for Ljubljana-based club Krim and can confirm that Slovenia are eager to win the match in Celje on 1 June.

“It won’t be easy for us against Slovenia. We know that that match is decisive for them. They are going to ‘bite’. They gathered already on Monday, but we won’t give make it easy for them ,” says Milanović Litre.

Mrđen nominated some new players compared to the squad he fielded against Montenegro in March. New in the team are Nataša Janković from Turkish club Ardsen and Ana Jajčević who plays for Umag. Janković has been playing for Croatia before while Jajčević is making her debut.

Dragica Džono is also back after she had missed the matches against Montenegro due to an injury, and Marina Razum celebrates her return to the national team as the third goalkeeper.

Still injured are Dora Krsnik and Selena Milošević. Krsnik sustained a knee injury at the Croatian cup final while Milošević has been injured for a longer time already.

The Croatian team gathered on Wednesday but without their best player Andrea Penezić who will join on Monday together with Andrea Čović. Sonja Bašić will join the team on Saturday.

The Croatian squad for the Women's EHF EURO 2016 qualifiers against Slovenia and FYR Macedonia:

Goalkeepers: Ivana Kapitanović (Podravka), Gabrijela Bešen (Sesvete Agroproteinka), Marina Razum (Lokomotiva)

Left wings: Ekaterina Nemaškalo (Podravka), Paula Posavec (Zrinski)

Right wings: Nataša Janković (Ardesen GSK), Nikolina Zadravec (Koka)

Line players: Vesna Milanović-Litre (Krim Mercator), Katarina Ježić (HCM Baia Mare), Dragica Džono (Podravka), Andrea Čović (Vardar)

Backcourt players: Andrea Penezić (Vardar), Sonja Bašić (Ipress Center-Vac), Žana Marić (KGHM Metraco Zaglebie Lubin), Ćamila Mičijević (Zamet), Marijeta Vidak (Podravka), Valentina Blažević (Sesvete Agroproteinka), Anamaria Gugić (Zamet), Lana Franković (Podravka), Ana Jajčević (Umag)