ZAGREB, Feb 3 (Hina) - More than 50,000 Croatians gathered in Zagreb's main square Monday to welcome home the national handball team after they won the world title.
ZAGREB, Feb 3 (Hina) - More than 50,000 Croatians gathered in
Zagreb's main square Monday to welcome home the national handball
team after they won the world title. #L#
Croatia beat Germany 34-31 in the final in Lisbon on Sunday to win
their first world title. It was the team's biggest success since
winning gold at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.
Parliament president Zlatko Tomcic welcomed the team, popularly
known as "The Hell Guys", at the Pleso airport, while mayor Vlasta
Pavic saluted the champions at the central celebration in Ban
Jelacic Square.
Coach Lino Cervar said that the medal was the result of the team
spirit.
The Croatian Olympic Committee's Council decided on Monday that
players and members of the expert staff be awarded with 20,000 kuna
each.
State radio and television broadcast the entire event live.
(hina) it sb