“For the first time in history, we are playing in the VNL and our goal in the first season is to survive in the league, which will not be easy at all. We are among the few teams that can be relegated, so it is a huge challenge for us,” commented Croatian federation President Frane Zanic. “However, I believe in what our coach Akbas is doing, and, led by our captain Fabris, I think we will succeed in this plan. At the European Championship, the least we expect from them is to play in the quarterfinals, for which I believe they have the strength and the qualities. The girls had good seasons. Some were injured, some played important roles in their clubs, so we expect there will be some fatigue, but what we all have to keep in mind is that the national team always give their maximum. I hope that at the end of the summer we will be satisfied with the achieved results.”
Croatia women’s national team full roster:
Setters: Ana Prkacin, Jurja Vlasic, Karla Antunovic, Lara Stimac, Lea Deak, Marija Vrban
Opposites: Andrea Mihaljevic, Barbara Dapic, Mara Stiglic, Marijeta Runjic, Nina Strize, Samanta Fabris
Outside hitters: Ana Burilovic, Dijana Karatovic, Josipa Markovic, Laura Milos, Lea Cvetnic, Lucija Mlinar, Mia Bilusic, Natalija Tomic
Middle blockers: Bianca Lulic, Bozana Butigan, Ema Strunjak, Lara Dezulovic, Martina Samadan, Mirta Freund, Viktoria Ana Trcol
Liberos: Carla Stosic, Izabela Stimac, Tia Kovco
