In a tense match for the golden medal the deadlock was broken five minutes from the end with two goals from Mirza Dzamba, who scored nine goals out of ten shots, and three from Niksa Kaleb which gave Croatia a two-goal advantage.
The Croatians had the support of Prime Minister Ivo Sanader and Foreign Minister Miomir Zuzul from the stands. Sanader was one of the first to offer his congratulations to the team.
Immediately after the match and before the medal ceremony, Croatian President Stjepan Mesic phoned the Croatian National Handball Team coach, Lino Cervar, and congratulated him and the players on the gold medal. The President also sent a letter of congratulations.
Croatian Parliament President Vladimir Seks and Sports Minister Dragan Primorac also sent letters of congratulations to the handball team.
Russia, the Olympic champions in Sydney, took the bronze.