Croatia men’s handball team returned home on Monday to a welcome celebration at Ban Josip Jelacic Square in Zagreb, after winning their third European handball silver on Sunday having lost the final match 22:20 to defending champions Spain in Stockholm, Sweden.

Thousands of fans greeted the team who came back from the first final they have played in 10 years.

“I’m proud of my players who gave everything they had and refused to give up, even with all the problems we were having. The team showed incredible resilience, we did not leave our fans indifferent. I want to thank them for coming all the way to Stockholm,” Croatia coach, Lino Cervar, told N1. “You always want everything in the end. You can’t always get everything you want, but I think we can be more than happy with the silver.”

So far, Croatia men’s handball team have won six medals at European handball championships – three silvers, in 2008, 2010, and now in 2020, and three bronzes, in 1994, 2012 and 2016.

They have also won two Olympic golds, in 1996 and in 2004, and a World Championship gold in 2003, making the European championship gold medal the only one they are yet to win.

“I’m not an orator like Lino… I will just say, this medal belongs to you. I’m sorry we made you anxious, but God-willing you will always be this anxious and we will always bring home a medal. Let’s hope this is not the last homecoming celebration,” said Domagoj Duvnjak, the team captain, who was named the tournament’s MVP.