The men’s junior U20 Croatian volleyball team gathered in Zadar today, March 30th, to prepare for the second qualifying tournament for the European Championships. The tournament will be held from April 8th to 10th in Bibinje, which is certainly an additional chance for the young players of the selector Tomislav Ćošković to qualify for the final tournament in their generation, where they have not participated for a long time.
“We have a good generation and we hope that we can finally reach the European Championship. It is good that we are the organizers of one of the qualifying tournaments, it will help us a lot in terms of preparations because we do not have to travel anywhere, and we will be familiar with the environment. Belgium, Sweden and Hungary are with us in the group. The first from our qualification group goes directly to the European Championships, while the second place goes to the third round of qualifications, sometime in June. “- said the selector of the junior national team Tomislav Ćošković.
About the prospects and plans, Tomislav continues:
“Belgium is the favorite of our group in terms of rating, but that doesn’t have to mean anything in these generations. We will do everything to try to win the European Championship right now. We know the Hungarians best, we played with them in MEVZA and won them twice, although it is no certainty that we will get them now, because they have a selection similar to ours, and there is no relaxation. In these ages, everyone can get everyone. We know the least about the Swedes, but we play with them on the last day so we will have enough information before our match with them. “
The coach invited 15 players to prepare, although he had some problems with the lineup.
“There will be no injured Jakov Markovic, and Ante Kulušić recently sprained his ankle, but he will be with us in the preparations and I believe he will be ready by the start of the qualifying tournament. This is a good generation that has width, so I expect that if all goes well as far as injuries and illness are concerned, we can make a good result. Before the start of the tournament, we plan to play some preparatory matches, most likely with Ribola Kaštela, which would mean a lot to us “, said the very serious and studious coach Tomislav Ćošković, until recently a player himself, one of the best Croatia had. He is accompanied by his assistants, Antonio Surać, the selector of the U18 national team, which is expected to qualify for the cadet European Championship in Naples in mid-April, at the tournament together with Italy and France, and Romano Rilović from Medveščak.
Croatian U20 national team
Tin Devald (2005.) setter, Mladost
Lovro Maglica (2004.) setter, Rijeka
Ivo Mustapić (2005.) setter, Ribola Kaštela
Gabrijel Cvanciger (2003.) opposite hitter, Mladost
Duje Cvijović (2003.) opposite hitter, Ribola Kaštela
Nikola Jureta (2003.) receiver-attacker, Ribola Kaštela
Ante Kulušić((2003.) receiver-attacker, Ribola Kaštela
Roko Vlašić (2004.) receiver-attacker, Mladost
Luka Buljat (2005.) receiver-attacker, Zadar
Matko Jakoliš (2003.) receiver-attacker, Mladost
Bruno Barać (2004.) middle blocker, Ribola Kaštela
Ivan Kuruc (2003.) middle blocker, Mladost
Sven Jakopec (2005.) middle blocker, Mladost
Mislav Karačić (2003.) middle blocker, Mursa Osijek
Marko Repek (2003.) libero, Mladost
