All those who remember the great play of Croatian handball players who won the world championship in 2003 in Portugal, the Olympic gold in 2004 in Athens, world championship silver in 2005 and European championship silver in 2008 in Norway will say that the world championship is being held in the right place, in a country of great and successful handball.

From January 16 until February 1 of this year seven Croatian cities: Zagreb, Zadar, Split, Osijek, Varaždin, Poreč and Pula – will be the hosts to 24 world national teams.

In group A in Osijek the teams are France, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, Argentina and Australia, in group B in Split Croatia, Sweden, Spain, South Korea, Kuwait and Cuba, in group C in Varaždin Germany, Poland, Macedonia, Russia, Tunisia and Algeria, and in group D in Poreč Denmark, Norway, Egypt, Brazil, Serbia and Saudi Arabia.

The three best teams from groups A and B will play in the second round in Zagreb, and groups C and D in Zadar.

Semi-final games will be played in Zagreb and Split, and the finals will be played in the Arena in Zagreb, which will welcome 15 000 spectators. At the President Cup for places from 13 to 24 the teams who do not make the second round will play.

The 21st world handball championship is the biggest sports event in Croatia since its independence and it is certainly the most demanding project which included the construction of new sports arenas and hiring
of a great number of professionals and volunteers.

The Arena Zagreb, Spaladium Split, City Garden Osijek, Sports Centre Krešimir Čosić Zadar and Sports Home Mate Parlov Pula are top sports objects as well as polyvalent centres which will enrich the sports, entertainment and cultural offer of Croatia.

Considering the long tradition (the first handball game was played in Croatia in 1930) and the great results in this sport as well as with an audience which loves it, Croatia will without a doubt be a great host of this
competition.

As the sports events like this have a tourist dimension, it is quite clear that Croatia will be a great host in that area as well. As an introduction, in 13 countries participants there were Croatian handball-tourist days and the tourist offer was presented with the accent on the host cities in which the games will be played.

An equally heartfelt welcome and an invitation to enjoy the beauties and the offer is awaiting athletes, delegation members, journalists and supporters during their stay in Croatia.

Read more at the official Men’s World Handball Championship in Croatia 2009 site