Croatia expectedly recorded their second win in as many games at the Championships. Although victory was never under question, it came after a less-than-satisfactory first half.

Algeria took the lead early on and gave Croatia a good fight throughout the first ten minutes. When Croatia finally took a commanding 7:4 lead through Ivano Balic, it appeared as if the chips were falling into place. But then Algeria surprised all, and perhaps even themselves, by taking a 7:1 run, turning the score around to 11:8.

The Croats play was confused and the defense porous, but after a 3:0 series, Croatia managed to equalize and go in even at 11 at halftime.

Ivano Balic opened the second half taking Croatia on a 3:0 run to 14:11. Goals from Vori and others followed, and the African’s aggressive defense started to come undone.

Croatia scored goal on goal as the Algerian attack failed to find the net, and Croatian coach Slavko Goluza decided to give younger and less experienced players some game time. Nincevic and Matulic returned the favour with goals, just as Drago Vukovic who took over for Ivano Balic. In the end, Croatia came away with a decisive 26:15 win.

No question, the man of the match was Croatia’s Ivano Balic who built up the Croatian attacks and scored 6 of his own. Drago Vukovic added five, while Igor Vori and Blazenko Lackovic added four each.

Croatia’s next game is on Monday against Australia at 6 o’clock p.m. CET.