Long before the first whistle tonight, Croatia will already feel at home in Malmö. With a large Croatian community in southern Sweden and huge support expected in the stands, the arena is set for an atmosphere that could rival any home crowd.
“When we are loud, we are very loud,” says Mario Šoštarić to GoHandball.
For the Croatian players, the support has been visible from the moment they arrived in Scandinavia. Even outside the arena, the sense of familiarity has followed them.
“Already when we landed in Copenhagen, one Croatian greeted us – a steward working at the airport,” Šoštarić says. “We know we have huge support here.”
Croatia experienced that same backing during the 2023 championship in the region, and signs suggest that history is about to repeat itself. Fans have been stopping the players in the streets, and red-white checkered jerseys are a common sight around Malmö.
“Really a lot of Croatian people live here,” Šoštarić continues. “We are looking forward to the atmosphere on Wednesday. We heard that a lot of them will be here, hopefully.”
For Šoštarić, the support carries emotional weight, especially for Croatians who have built their lives far from home.
“We want to play well for them so they feel proud as Croatians living in Sweden,” he says.
A loud crowd
The belief in Croatian support is unwavering, even when numbers might suggest otherwise.
“This is something we have,” Šoštarić explains. “Really good cheering support and mentality. Big fan base. A lot of organised fans are supposed to come from Croatia too.”
In a packed arena, he expects a cultural clash not only on the court, but in the stands.
“When we are loud, we are very loud,” he says. “Scandinavians are a bit more quiet and calm – we are more passionate, more energised. It’s going to be a big fight between the fans in the stands.”
Team captain Ivan Martinović knows the challenge that awaits on the court, and the energy that will come with it. Sweden, playing at home, remains one of the tournament favourites.
“We want to win the game,” Martinović says. “I remember 2018 when Sweden won in Croatia – so it’s a revenge game for us in that way.”
Impressed by Swedish atmosphere
He is under no illusion about the atmosphere.
“I saw the atmosphere against the Netherlands – it was crazy good. We need to develop a lot if we want to have a good chance.”
Still, Martinović hopes the Croatian presence will grow game by game, and reach its peak tonight.
“I hope our fans bought enough tickets,” he says with a smile. “I heard that every game there will be more and more Croatian fans. I guess there will be more Croatians tonight than in the other games.”
In Malmö, Croatia may be listed as the away team, but the sound from the stands could suggest otherwise.