On May 31, at 20:00 Kyiv time, the men's national team of Ukraine will meet the Croatia team in the second round of the group stage of the European Golden League-2023.
Teams' compositions
For two years, the Croatian national team has been led by the French specialist Cedric Henar, better known for his cooperation with the German "Berlin", the French "Tours" and the national team of Estonia.
The Croatian national team includes players from national and foreign championships.
In the first match of this year's European Golden League draw, Ivan Zelkovich was the most outstanding one. He scored 15 points. Illia Kovalov (14 points) was the most effective player on the "blue and yellow" team.
The composition of the national team of Croatia:
setters: Petar Višić ("Monza" Italy), Bernard Bakonji ("Unicaja" Spain);
liberos: Tino Busak Vidakovic ("Mursa-Osijek" Croatia), Hrvoe Pervan ("HAOK Mladost");
the opposites: Tomislav Mitrasinovic ("Calcit Kamnik" Slovenia), Gabrijel Cvanciger ("HAOK Mladost" Croatia;)
outside hitters: Ante Kulushic (Mladost, Croatia), Tino Hanzic (Santa Croce, Italy), Ivan Zelkovich (HAOK Mladost, Croatia);
middle blockers: Stipe Perich ("Harlasco" Italy), Kruno Nikachevic ("Dukla" Czech Republic), Dominik Brchych, Ivan Michal ("CSKA Sofia" Bulgaria).
The composition of the national team of Ukraine:
setters: Vitalii Shchytkov (VC "Prometey"), Yurii Synytsia ("Develi" Turkey);
outside hitters: Oleh Plotnytskyi ("Perugia" Italy), Tymofii Poluian ("Akkus Bld" Turkey), Vitalii Kucher ("Barkom-Kazhany"), Illia Kovalov ("Cuprum" Poland);
liberos: Oleksandr Boiko (VC "Prometey"), Dmytro Kanaiev ("Barkom-Kazhany");
middle blockers: Maksym Drozd ("Epicenter-Podolyany"), Yurii Semeniuk ("Project Warsaw" Poland), Dmytro Teromenko ("Tours" France), Vladyslav Shchurov ("Barkom-Kazhany");
the opposites: Vasyl Tupchii ("Barkom-Kazhany"), Yevhenii Kisiliuk ("Epicenter-Podolyany").
The importance of the match
In 2022, in the group round of the European Golden League, the team of Uģis Krastiņš was twice stronger than the Croatians (3:1 and 3:1). However, it was Croatia that did not allow the Ukrainians to win the bronze awards of that year's draw of the tournament. Then, in the match for third place, the Croats defeated our team with a score of 3:2.
Ranking of teams
Croatia ranks 32nd in the world ranking, and 17th in the European ranking. Ukraine ranks 16th in the world ranking, and 10th in the European ranking.
1st round of the group stage of the European Golden League-2023
In the first match of the tournament, the Ukrainian team confidently defeated North Macedonia (3:0), and Croatia lost to Belgium (1:3). Currently, the Ukrainians are leading Group B, with one win and 3 points.
European Golden League-2023. Group stage. Group B
2nd round Łódź, Poland (Łódź Sport Arena)
May 31 (Wednesday)
20:00 Ukraine - Croatia
Due to the full-scale war of Russia against Ukraine, Ukrainian volleyball players are forced to play home matches in Poland, namely in the city of Łódź. We would like to add that the entrance to the matches held at Łódź Arena is free!
We would like to remind you that in the group stage, the men's national team of Ukraine will play 6 matches, two against each opponent: North Macedonia, Belgium, and Croatia. The winner of the group will advance to the final round.
Watch the online broadcast of the Ukraine-Croatia match on May 31 at 20:00 on the DIVISPORT VOLLEYBALL YouTube channel.
