LISBON, Feb 2 (Hina) - Croatia won gold in the final match of the men's handball world championship played in Lisbon on Sunday, defeating Germany 34:31 and becoming a world champion in handball for the first time ever.
LISBON, Feb 2 (Hina) - Croatia won gold in the final match of the
men's handball world championship played in Lisbon on Sunday,
defeating Germany 34:31 and becoming a world champion in handball
for the first time ever. #L#
Attending the match was Prime Minister Ivica Racan, European
Integration Minister Neven Mimica, Foreign Minister Tonino Picula,
Education and Sports Minister Vladimir Strugar, and Finance
Minister Mato Crkvenac.
In the morning Racan met the Croatian team and supporters. He said
entering the finals was very important in promotional terms as it
presented Croatia as a small country with many outstanding athletes
and sports successes. He said there would be no better way to
present Croatia in Europe and the world than by winning the
championship.
Racan also said significant sports achievements of this kind were a
great affirmation of Croatia on the international scene as well as a
strong support to its bids towards European integration,
especially ahead of the impending application for full European
Union membership.
(hina) ha