With Saturday’s hard earned win over Russia, Balic and his team-mates take four points to the main round, whilst Russia’s position will be decided in the later game between Norway and Ukraine.
Croatia’s performance in its games so far at EHF EURO 2010 has been mixed. The team collected the maximum of four points, but to beat Russia, an improved game plan was necessary.
To help achieve its target, head coach Lino Cervar called up HSV Hamburg player Blazenko Lackovic to back the Croatian attacks that have lacked quality shooting in the games so far.
The match remained open untill the very last minutes. In a tight game Ivan Cupic decided the thriller with his penalty goal after the whistke and Croatia won 30-28.
Opponents in the main round in Vienna will be Austria, Denmark and Iceland.
