Karlovac Sets Sights on Survival
Returning to the Premier League, the team gathered for the first time, and coach Dinko Đanković has already secured several high-profile signings. The season kicks off on September 12 with an away match in Sesvete.
Returning to the Premier League, the team gathered for the first time, and coach Dinko Đanković has already secured several high-profile signings. The season kicks off on September 12 with an away match in Sesvete.
The handball players of HRK Karlovac held their first gathering ahead of preparations for the new Premier League season. The returnees to Croatia's elite handball circle have already presented several new players at the start of preparations, who are expected to be key figures in the fight for the set goal, which, according to coach Dinko Đanković, is a secure stay in the league.
The only significant departure from the club occurred in the goalkeeping position, which was vacated by Luka Prezelj. However, the club reacted quickly and secured the return of Antonio Glumac, who will once again stand between the posts for the Karlovac side.
That's not the end of the additions in goal. Experienced Tunisian international Amine Bedoui is set to join Karlovac soon. He is a goalkeeper who represented his country at the 2019 World Championship in Denmark. Croatian handball fans remember him from the final of the 2018 Mediterranean Games in Spain, where his Tunisia narrowly lost to Croatia 24:23 in a tense finish.
On the first day of preparations, three more additions appeared in the squad. Among them, Montenegrin international Luka Radović stands out, playing as a right wing. Radović arrives after five years in France, where he played for Saran Loiret in both the first and second French leagues.
A notable addition is also the return of local player Ivan Šnajder. After several seasons in the German Bundesliga, the experienced handball player has returned to his home club, and his experience will be invaluable for the young squad. Another new player is left wing Domagoj Stipanić, a young and promising player from Zadar, for whom this is his first engagement after leaving his hometown club Zadar 1954.
The club has already arranged a series of friendly matches. The first test is scheduled in Karlovac against Trogir. Next up are matches against Rudar from Rude and Slovenia's Krka from Novo Mesto, also on home turf. One of the more serious tests will be a tournament in Ajdovščina, while the dress rehearsal for the championship is planned for September 5 away, although the opponent has yet to be confirmed.
The Premier League begins on September 12, with Karlovac opening the season away at Sesvete Triglav Osiguranje. A week later, they will play their home opener against Metković Zalmo in front of their own fans.
"This season, the primary goal is survival, and I am confident we will achieve it," said coach Dinko Đanković.
