President Milanović Honours Croatian Water Polo Team for World Championship Gold in Doha

The President of the Republic today presented decorations to the players, coaching staff, and technical support team of the Croatian National Water Polo Team in recognition of their gold medal win at the 2024 World Championships in Doha.

In his address, President Milanović congratulated the players, coaching staff, and technical support team on winning the gold medal and expressed his gratitude for everything they have done for Croatia thus far. “I won’t tell you that I have any expectations because that would be a curse. I know what high-performance sports are like; for years, I was an observer and a recreational player, and now I am an observer and a parent. I know and feel how much energy, effort, pain, hopes, and expectations are invested to achieve a good result in sports. Therefore, we have no right to place any special expectations on you. Whatever will be – will be. I am sure that you will fight the way you always fight,” said President Milanović to the Croatian water polo players who are departing tomorrow for the Olympic Games in Paris.

On the eve of the Olympic competition, he said that he hoped for new successes and medals, but above all, a dignified and representative fight for Croatia’s standing and image in the world. “Be what you have been until now – proud and strong. We are proud of you and expect you to fight and in this way represent Croatia at the Olympic Games. I am convinced that success will follow,” said the President of the Republic.

Coach Ivica Tucak was awarded the Charter of the Republic of Croatia for the exceptional success of the Croatian National Water Polo Team in winning the gold medal at the 2024 World Championships in Doha, as well as for his major contribution to promoting sports and enhancing Croatia’s standing worldwide.

The Order of the Croatian Star featuring the effigy of Franjo Bučar, awarded for exceptional sporting success and winning the gold medal in water polo at the 2024 World Championships in Doha, as well as for a major contribution to the promotion of sports and Croatia’s standing worldwide, was presented to players Mate Anić, Matias Biljaka, Rino Burić, Zvonimir Butić, Konstantin Kharkov, Filip Kržić, Franko Lazić, Jerko Marinić Kragić, Josip Vrlić, and Marko Žuvela.

The Charter of the Republic of Croatia, for exceptional sporting success and winning the gold medal in water polo at the 2024 World Championships in Doha, as well as for a major contribution to the promotion of sports and Croatia’s standing worldwide, was awarded to players Marko Bijač, Loren Fatović, Ivan Krapić, Luka Lončar, and Ante Vukičević.

The Order of the Croatian Star featuring the effigy of Franjo Bučar, for the exceptional success of the Croatian National Water Polo Team in winning the gold medal at the 2024 World Championships in Doha, and a major contribution to the promotion of sports and Croatia’s standing worldwide, was awarded to fitness coach Pero Kuterovac, assistant coach Jure Marelja, and goalkeeper coach Renco Posinković.

Physician Dinko Pivalica, physiotherapist Damir Luketić, and video analyst Igor Pezelj were decorated with the Order of the Croatian Interlace for the exceptional success of the Croatian National Water Polo Team in winning the gold medal at the 2024 World Championships in Doha, to which they contributed with their professional experience and support.

The Charter of the Republic of Croatia, for special merits in the promotion, advancement, and development of water polo in the Republic of Croatia, as well as for achieving top sports results at home and abroad, was awarded to the Croatian Water Polo Federation.

The President of the Croatian Water Polo Federation, Mladen Drnasin, spoke on behalf of the awardees, thanking President Milanović for the awards and stating that this was a great honour for the Water Polo Federation. “That competition is behind us, but it’s always nice to remember the moment when these young men, along with the coach and their staff, made us so happy. They did a fantastic job against extremely strong opponents. All of them showed the whole world how they truly fight for their country and represent it. However, above all, they showed honesty towards themselves and the sport they play. What adorns them the most is the togetherness they put before everything else,” said Drnasin.

President Milanović was accompanied by the Head of the Cabinet of the President of the Republic, Bartol Šimunić; Adviser to the President of the Republic for Defense, Ivica Olujić; Adviser to the President of the Republic for Education, Jadranka Žarković; Assistant Adviser to the President of the Republic for the Economy, Martina Ciglević; and the Commissioner of the President of the Republic for Sports, Tomislav Paškvalin.

PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Filip Glas