For the second consecutive year, a specialized camp was held for the most promising young goalkeepers from four national team age groups, focusing not only on goalkeeping skills but also on neuroathletics and mental strength.
The Croatian Football Federation's four-day camp concluded in Osijek, bringing together the 16 most talented young goalkeepers from the U-15, U-16, U-17, and U-18 national team selections. This marks the second consecutive year that the HNS has organized this type of training, with the clear goal of nurturing future national team goalkeepers.
Four goalkeepers with the highest development potential were selected from each of the four age groups. The camp's program was not limited to standard goalkeeper training; it also included technical and tactical preparation, fitness requirements, and, notably, intensive work on mental development and neuroathletics.
The young prospects worked with experienced goalkeeper coaches Hrvoje Sunara, Matteo Žugaj, Tomislav Balagović, and Borna Žitnjak. Additionally, the program was enriched by a fitness coach and mental preparation experts Ana and Igor Čerenšek. They held workshops with the participants and created individual psychological profiles, which will allow their further development to be tailored to each player's traits and needs.
An innovative part of the program was led by Tomislav Drvoderić, a neuroathletics coach for sports performance based in Switzerland. His work focused on key aspects of goalkeeping, such as reaction speed, coordination, spatial perception, and split-second decision-making. It is in these areas that the most important matches are often decided.
This approach clearly shows how much the philosophy of working with young goalkeepers has changed. It is no longer enough to perfect just shot-stopping or playing with the feet. A modern goalkeeper is expected to remain composed after a mistake, quickly assess danger, communicate effectively with the defense, and make the right decisions under immense pressure. The camp in Osijek is therefore designed as the first serious step toward the senior national team jersey.
While potential was being honed in Osijek, one of Croatia's most experienced internationals continues his mission abroad. The national team's vice-captain, Ivan Perišić, recorded an assist for PSV in a 2-2 draw against Fortuna Sittard on the opening day of the season. The HNS also shared the news on social media, along with a photo by Drago Sopta.
Croatia has historically had a continuity of top-class goalkeepers, and camps like this are a guarantee that this streak will not be broken. The systematic monitoring of the 16 most promising young players from four different age groups allows the federation to guide their development long before they knock on the door of the senior team.
