| Croatia | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| Information | |||
| Nickname | 2003–2009: Pakleni 2009–2023: Kauboji | ||
| Association | Croatian Handball Federation | ||
| Coach | Dagur Sigurðsson | ||
| Assistant coach | Valter Matošević Denis Špoljarić | ||
| Captain | Domagoj Duvnjak | ||
| Most caps | Domagoj Duvnjak (247) | ||
| Most goals | Domagoj Duvnjak (760) | ||
| Colours | |||
| |||
| Results | |||
| Summer Olympics | |||
| Appearances | 6 (First in 1996) | ||
| Best result |  1st (1996, 2004) | ||
| World Championship | |||
| Appearances | 15 (First in 1995) | ||
| Best result |  1st (2003) | ||
| European Championship | |||
| Appearances | 16 (First in 1994) | ||
| Best result |  2nd (2008, 2010, 2020) | ||
| Last updated on Unknown. | |||
The Croatia national handball team (Croatian: Hrvatska rukometna reprezentacija) represents Croatia in international men's team handball competitions and friendly matches. The handball team is controlled by the Croatian Handball Federation (HRS).
Croatia won one World Championship, but never won the Euros, lost three finals, one to rivals France, one to Denmark, and one to Spain. The Croatian national team that won the 1996 Olympic gold medal was often credited as the biggest upset in history of handball, with handball making its debut appearance.[1] The Croatian national team won a so-called "international double" after winning both the gold medal at the Olympics (2004) and the World Championship (2003), beating Germany in both finals.
Some of their biggest rivals are neighbours Slovenia, Hungary and Serbia. Germany are also called rivals of the handball team, although matches between Germany and Croatia have been met with Croatian dominance, Germany only winning once in their nine meetings, and Croatia winning seven times. Mediterranean side Spain have also been called as close rivals, having played 23 games with them, the most out of any sides the Croatians have played within handball. However, the French are often remarked as Croatia's biggest-ever rival in handball, due to both countries' successes. In recent history though, Croatia often suffered eliminations at the hands of the French.[2]
- ^ "Dokumentarac o povijesnom uspjehu kada su Hrvati šokirali sportski svijet". tportal.hr. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
- ^ "Handball: France beat Croatia to advance to European championship semis". 25 January 2018. Retrieved 25 January 2018.