The Croatian coach, Lino Cervar, announced his resignation as head of the Balkan team after the defeat (23-19) fitted this Saturday against Argentina that leaves him practically out of the quarterfinals of the World Cup in Egypt.
“This is a disappointment. I take responsibility whatever happens. This is unacceptable and you have to let someone replace me “, Cervar said as soon as the meeting ended on television, according to statements collected by the Croatian newspaper Sportske Novosti.
“Argentine players have wasted effort, heart, desire and enthusiasm. They are hungry for victory and we have shown that we are not hungry. The coach has the responsibility. Life has its ups and downs, I don’t blame anyone but the Federation has to find another coach for the future “, added the Croatian coach.
Linen Cervar, the coach who led Croatia to the title of world champion in 2003 and a year later Olympic gold, returned to the Croatian bench in 2017, last year leading the Balkans to the European final, in which they lost 22-20 to Spain.
Despite Cervar’s surprising resignation, that, as he explained, will continue with the team until the end of the World Cup in Egypt, Croatia still have a chance to reach the quarterfinals, although it will not depend on itself. Croatia, who already on the first day signed a surprising draw (29-29) against Japan, They will have to beat Denmark, the current world champion, next Monday and wait for Argentina to defeat Qatar in order to reach the quarterfinals.
An equation that the Croats hope to achieve, at least in their part, as Cervar assured when asked about the game with the Danes. “Of course I want to get the victory over Denmark. That is why I did not point a finger at a single player,” concluded the Croatian coach.
