USATH partners with Croatian Handball Federation

USA Team Handball is pleased to announce the signing of a partnership agreement with the Croatian Handball Federation this week. USATH Chairman Dieter Esch met with Sandi Sola, president of the CHF, in Zagreb and signed an alliance to strengthen the development of handball in the United States. Croatia is the third national federation USATH has partnered with after Germany and Poland.

"This is another step on our long-term project aimed at fielding competitive teams in Olympic Games," said Esch. "What we specifically want is the Croatian Handball Federation to assist in training coaches and referees. Good coaches are the foundation to spread knowledge. We aim to send the best athletes to play in Europe to try to create a strong national team and we will continue to develop domestic competition as well."

Esch and Sola first met in January in Croatia, when the nation of 4.5 million people hosted the 2009 Men's World Championship. Croatia finished in second place to France but were world champions in 2003, and Olympic gold medalists in 1996 (Atlanta) and 2004 (Athens).

Sola said, "It is an honor to able to help the United States. At the same time, this is a great recognition of Croatian handball. If we want to develop and expand our sport, this is the ideal opportunity."

The USA connection to Croatia began several years ago when Marko Brezic came to this country to observe and assist the USA Women's National Team Program. Brezic, now West Regional Coach, was one of the first hires by USA Team Handball, in part due to his 15+ years of coaching experience at all levels in Croatia.

Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, is the sister city to Pittsburgh; the Croatian Federation has pledged to help grow handball in the western Pennsylvania city. A club has been formed at the University of Pittsburgh, which is expected to make its debut at a USATH event this winter.