Croatia's 5 nil win in European Cricket Tournament!

by Croatian player Jeff Grzinić

This years team saw 3 new players make their International debut for Croatia, locals Paul Mušin and Tomislav Gudasić (Zagreb Cricket Club) and Antonio Lipanović (from the Island of Vis). In a fairytale return to the side, Paul Vujnovich (brother of Croatian Cricket captain John) won 'Player of the Tournament' in what can only be described as a sensational performance. However when required, every player in the squad contributed with bat, ball, or fielding throughout what was a pleasing all round effort by the boys all week.

All in all it was great 'team' win, our approach was one of 'it doesn't matter who gets the job done so long as we win'. And win we did. The side grew in confidence and morale with every game and team spirit was incredible as Croatian Cricket records tumbled as we posted a record breaking 5 straight wins. But as good as it was to celebrate 5 wins and a tournament victory, the boys are now firmly focussed on a strong showing in next years Europen Cricket Championships.

Croatia will certainly enter next years tournament with only one thought in mind, victory. With a strong but aging player list, it is imperative for the future development of Croatian Cricket to blood a couple of younger players to the current champion side. However we must be careful not to introduce too many new faces too early and upset the current confidence and morale in the current side. It must be seen as a gradual approach. It has taken two tournaments for the current player list to to 'gel', so any new aspirants will need to not only be players of the highest standard but be 'TEAM' people who put the teams success ahead of any personal achievement.

It is interesting to note that every player who has represented Croatia on the cricket field is a CITIZEN and passport holder with strong family ties to his country, and this will continue. Many countries we've played against in the past have had representatives who are only 'residents' of their country, so our proud Croatian blood policy makes us a very united and unique bunch indeed. And I believe this to be a vital ingredient to our recent tournament success.

Living in Australia myself, along with team-mates Phillip Šiljeg and Pero Kastelan, I think it is definately a positive to have Croatian representatives playing abroad in stronger competitions to develop higher skill levels to take back to locally based Croatian players. This situation can be likened to another world game, football, where a countries best players often play abroad in order to play against better quality opposition and broaden their knowledge of the game. So it makes sense to utilize citizens who have that type of experience.

Cricket continues to develop on Croatian soil in leaps and bounds. Cricket is now regularly played in Zagreb and on the most idealic of places to ever play cricket, the island of Vis! I can see a strong future in the North vs. South rivalry that has already started, escalating recently with the arrival of Croatian cricket vice-captain Craig Sinovich to Split from Zagreb! After the recent tournament a number of players were treated to a week of wining, dining and sightseeing around Split and the islands. And by the sounds of some of the banter that was going on it looks like a tug of war for Craig's services has already begun!

Locally Zagreb Cricket Club currently reigns supreme but Vis Cricket Club now boasts two locals in the National side, school teacher Siniša Vodapija and winemaker Antonio Lipanović, who both improved remarkebly as the tournament progressed. So the future of Croatian cricket looks bright on the field. Off the field our tireless leaders, Jasen Butković, Robert Dumančić, Zdenko Lenko, Ivan Bilić and Siniša Vodapija (to name only a few) must continue to gain support from the public and private sector. Facilities, equipment and yes, money, are needed to propel what has been a phenominal entry into world cricket over the past 5 or so years.

To continue to win tournaments and improve facilities, player skills etc. corporate sponsors and monetry injections are needed. Hopefully our recent ECC Representative Championship win should help promote our search for sponsorship so hopefully this on-field success can now be reflected with off-field sponsorship.

On a personal note a special thanks must go to Tom Pivac from Kookaburra for my personal playing equipment and for his continuing contributions to Croatian cricket.

Well, we all have a busy year ahead in preparations for next years European Championships. Let's continue the good work and bring back some more silverware for the Croatian cricket mantlepiece.

Until next year, GO CRO!

Jeff Grzinić