Croatian Gymnasts Ready for Historic European Championship in Zagreb
From August 13 to 23, Zagreb will host the European Gymnastics Championships for the first time, with a record 670 competitors from 44 countries.
From August 13 to 23, Zagreb will host the European Gymnastics Championships for the first time, with a record 670 competitors from 44 countries.
The Croatian gymnastics team is eagerly awaiting the start of the European Men's and Women's Artistic Gymnastics Championships, which will be held in Zagreb from August 13 to 23, 2026. This historic competition, the first of its kind in Croatia, has already broken records with 670 gymnasts from 44 countries registered.
Croatia's colors in the senior competition will be defended by a total of five female and six male gymnasts. Among them are Mila Prpić, Erin Bakran, and Marko Jovičić, who shared their expectations ahead of the big performance in front of the home crowd.
Just before the start of the championship, Mila Prpić will celebrate her 18th birthday. This talented gymnast from Rijeka already has 60 medals in her collection, and Zagreb will be her third senior European Championship, following appearances in Rimini and Leipzig.
"This will be my third senior European Championship, after Rimini and Leipzig, but certainly one of the most special competitions of my career. Performing at a major championship in Croatia, in front of the home crowd, carries a special emotion, and I look forward to the opportunity to showcase my gymnastics to our fans," Prpić told Nacionalni Portal.
To prepare as best as possible, Mila has spent the last 45 days traveling between Rijeka, Zagreb, and Osijek. The reason is the lack of adequate training conditions for the all-around in her hometown. With the support of her coach Julija, she completed part of her preparations in Zagreb and Osijek, where, as she says, she had the opportunity to work on the apparatus needed for international competitions.
"I got the chance to train in excellent conditions, and working with head coach Breza and coach Irina meant a lot to me; their experience and advice helped me in my preparations. It was demanding, but every training session gave me more confidence and self-assurance," she added.
Her main goal at the championship is clear: to perform her routines as she knows how and to enjoy the performance. "The most important thing for me is to perform my routines as I know how, enjoy the performance, and show that all the hard work, sacrifices, and hours spent in the gym are worth it," she said.
Her fellow citizen, 27-year-old Marko Jovičić, will also compete at his third senior European Championship, after competing in Antalya in 2023 and Leipzig in 2025. Competing in Zagreb holds special significance for him.
"I'm especially excited that the European Championship is being held in Croatia for the first time. It's a great honor to be part of the national team and to have the opportunity to represent my city and Croatia in front of the home crowd. I'm sure we can expect top-notch organization and a great atmosphere," Jovičić said.
Jovičić competes on the floor exercise, a discipline for which, as he points out, Rijeka still lacks the conditions required for elite gymnastics. Despite this, he believes that dedicated work can achieve valuable results, but he hopes that a quality gymnastics hall will open new opportunities for the sport's development in his city in the future.
For 21-year-old Zagreb native Erin Bakran, performing in the Arena will be especially emotional. This will be her first appearance at such a major competition, and in front of the home crowd in the city where she grew up and trains.
"I'm happy to have secured a spot at the European Championship in Zagreb, mostly because it will be my first appearance at such a competition and because it's being held in the city where I grew up and where I train. It means a lot to me to have the opportunity to show what I've learned through years of hard work and perseverance," Bakran emphasized.
She has been practicing gymnastics since she was four years old, and earning a spot on the national team gives her extra motivation. Her goal is to perform a stable and clean routine with as little stress as possible, and she hopes for a good placement.
In addition to Prpić, Jovičić, and Bakran, Croatia's colors at the European Championship will also be defended by Tina Zelčić, Tijana Korent, Christina Zwicker, Tin Srbić, Aurel Benović, Filip Ude, Illia Kovtun, and Mateo Žugec.
