The upcoming year is set to host the three premier water polo tournaments, posing a significant challenge for all national teams. Croatia is determined to prepare thoroughly.

They have taken over the organization of the European Championship (January 2024) from Netanya, Israel. Croatia will be competing not only for the title but also for qualification spots for the World Championship in Doha (February) and the Olympic Games in Paris (July-August), bolstered by two major assets.

Among the returnees to the Croatian national team after a two-and-a-half-year hiatus are one of Europe’s top centers, Luka Lončar, and the renowned left-handed player Maro Joković, as coach Ivica Tucak revealed to Sportske novosti.

Lončar is set to participate in all three significant competitions, whereas Joković’s availability hinges on Croatia’s qualification for the Olympic Games.

“I can confirm that Lončar will be back on the national team. We’ve discussed it, and he is eager to return and believes he can contribute,” Tucak stated.

However, there might be potential changes regarding Joković…

“We’ve agreed to have him available for the Olympics, which I believe we will qualify for. There’s a chance he could also participate in the World Championship in Doha, but we’ll keep that open. The intention was for him to take a good rest and ‘skip’ the Euro, but I will reach out to him again given the new circumstances, especially since the European Championship is in Croatia, adding a unique significance,” Tucak added.

Croatia will face Montenegro in the European Championship, and along with them, the group playing in Dubrovnik includes Spain and France.

The European champion or the highest-placed team at the tournament after Hungary, Greece, and France—who already have spots secured for Paris—will advance to the Olympic Games.

Three top teams from the European Championship will qualify for the World Championship in Doha, with Hungary, Greece, Spain, Serbia, Italy, and France already having secured their places through the European selections.

At the championship in Qatar’s capital, four additional Olympic spots for Paris will be distributed.

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