Croatia, preparing for EURO 2008 in FYR Macedonia, won the tournament “Lovorika Slovenije 2008” in the Slovenian city of Krsko. Serbia finished second, Slovenia third and Slovenia B came in fourth.

 

The decisive player in the Croatian team was Sanela Knezovic who returned to the national team after three years of pause.

 

The most exciting matches of the tournament were Croatia vs Serbia and Slovenia vs Croatia.

 

On the first day Croatia defeated Serbia by 27:18 (14:7). An excellent Croatian defence, led by Sanela Knezovic, allowed Serbia only seven goals in the first half.

 

Knezovic made 20 saves. Franic scored 8 and Penezic 7 goals.

 

On the second day, Croatia defeated the home team Slovenia by 39:18 (19:9). Although she did not play much, Knezovic saved three 7-m shots and made 10 saves in total.

Zebic scored 8 and Horvat 6 goals.

 

Despite three years of absence, Knezovic adopted perfectly to the style of the Croatians:

 

“I know all my mates very well; we are all in constant contact. The atmosphere is great and we all breathe together. This good result was not a surprise for me.”

 

The goalkeeper of the Hungarian Dunaferr is optimistic about EURO 2008:

“I believe in my team, but I don't want to talk too much. We will continue to work hard and we will give everything we can in FYR Macedonia”.