although stars like backs Ivan Martinovic and Luka Cindric rested, while Domagoj Duvnjak was out with illness, Croatia still dominated the match
Croatia’s right wing Mario Sostaric is now the top scorer of the EHF EURO 2026 Qualifiers, with 16 goals, six of those goals coming against Luxembourg
GROUP 5
Luxembourg vs Croatia 25:35 (9:19)
Three days after conceding a 17:23 loss to Czechia, 17:23, Luxembourg lost their second match in a row and their 74th in 91 tries in the EHF EURO Qualifiers, against a more experienced side in Croatia. The guests did not have Domagoj Duvnjak in the squad, due to illness, but despite this they controlled the match from start to finish. By the break, Croatia led 19:9 lead, with a 79 per cent shot efficiency.
Although Croatia did not get close to breaking their record of 40 goals scored in an EHF EURO Qualifier, set against Türkiye in 2015, they still scored the most goals in a qualifying match since that 40:26 win. While key players like Ivan Martinovic and Luka Cindric were rested, all but one of their outfield players scored at least one goal in the win against Luxembourg.