Zagreb hosts a record-breaking edition of the European Gymnastics Championships from August 13 to 23 with 640 athletes from 43 countries. Croatia will be represented by Tin Srbić, Filip Ude, Tina Zelčić and others, while spectacular opening ceremonies promise performances by Baby Lasagna, Mia Dimšić and Ana Rucner.
For the first time, Croatia is hosting the European Championships in men's and women's artistic gymnastics, and from August 13 to 23, 2026, Zagreb's Arena will welcome a record 640 gymnasts from 43 countries, reports Nacionalni Portal. Senior and junior competitions will be held simultaneously, and the names of all Croatian national team members who will defend the host's colors have been announced.
The gymnasts take to the floor first. In the women's senior competition, Croatia will be represented by Tina Zelčić, Tijana Korent, Mila Prpić, Christina Zwicker and Erin Bakran. For the latter, this will be her debut on the European stage, made especially meaningful by the fact that she competes in the city where she grew up and trains.
"I am happy to have secured a spot at the European Championships in Zagreb, especially because it will be my first appearance at such a competition and it takes place in the city where I grew up and train. It means a lot to me to have the opportunity to show what I have learned through years of hard work and perseverance, and I look forward to the entire experience that such a competition brings. My goal is to perform a stable and clean routine with as little stress as possible, and I hope for a good placement," Erin Bakran told Nacionalni Portal.
Among the gymnasts, the coach will be able to count on a wide roster of experienced names. The men's senior national team will feature Tin Srbić, Aurel Benović, Filip Ude, Illia Kovtun, Mateo Žugec and Marko Jovičić. For Jovičić, this is his third senior European Championship after appearances in Antalya 2023 and Leipzig 2025.
"The preparations in Osijek are entering the final phase, and we have been training with the full national team for five days now. There are three weeks left until the European Championships, the training sessions are intense, and we are doing two sessions a day to be as ready as possible for the competition. I am especially happy that the European Championships will be held in Croatia for the first time. It is a great honor to be part of the national team and to have the opportunity to represent my city and Croatia in front of a home audience. I am sure that we can expect top-notch organization and a great atmosphere," Marko Jovičić told Nacionalni Portal.
In the junior competition, Croatia's colors will be defended by Niko Nevešćanin, Filip Perestegi, Lovre Šućur, Gabriel Solar and Patrik Felinger, as well as Dora Žuljević, Lotta Kalinski, Nera Đurić, Eva Oštarčević and Nola Žiković. A total of 21 gymnasts will represent the host at the largest competition organized by the Croatian Gymnastics Federation in its 120 years of existence.
Federation President and Chairman of the Organizing Committee Marijo Možnik highlighted the historic milestones of this edition. For the first time, a prize fund has been secured for gymnasts and their coaches, and a scientific-professional conference "Smarter Gymnastics" will be held in collaboration with the University of Zagreb's Faculty of Kinesiology, further linking science and sport.
"We are counting down the days until the start of the European Gymnastics Championships, which will be held in Croatia for the first time and will also set a record in terms of the number of registered athletes, something we are particularly proud of. We have done an enormous amount of work, and I am sure that ten days of top-level gymnastics in a fantastic atmosphere await us. I invite all fans of this sport to come to the Arena Zagreb and be part of the gymnastics spectacle," Možnik told Nacionalni Portal.
The opening ceremonies promise top-tier production with well-known musical names. At the opening of the women's championship on August 15, 2026, the audience can expect a performance by Mia Dimšić, attractive dance choreographies and special stage elements. The opening of the men's championship on August 21, 2026, will feature performances by Baby Lasagna, Transform Crew, Ana Rucner and members of the Italian TeamGym team, who will present one of the most attractive gymnastics disciplines in the world.
"The family dimension of the competition is particularly important to us, so a rich accompanying program has been prepared in and in front of the Arena Zagreb. The youngest visitors will be able to try their hand at gymnastics disciplines in the 'kids corner', and perhaps they will fall in love with the sport and start training, and one day even compete at the European Championships," Možnik added.
Throughout the championship, a Parkour zone with demonstrations, fun activities, music, prize games and numerous other content for visitors of all ages will be open in front of the Arena Zagreb. Detailed information about the competition and ticket purchases is available on the official European Championship website.
