His Eminence Josip Cardinal Bozanić, Archbishop of Zagreb, met Croatia national handball team led by the head coach Slavko Goluža. The meeting took place on Monday, January 12 in bishop's palace in Zagreb.
At the beginning of the encounter, the head coach Slavko Goluža greeted His Eminence ahead of the players and the leadership of the Croatian handball association expressing their gratitude for a meeting that has become a tradition before every competition by now. „Your Eminence, we have come to ask for your blessing before our trip on another sport event. Thank you for your support“, he said.
Adressing the players, His Eminence emphasized the role of an athlete in the promotion of work culture, dedication and persistence which are the only right way for achieving success: „You are, dear friends, on a special way, a role model for youth; an example that for the right and longlasting success, you need to fight with dedication, hard work and love for what you do.“
Emphasizing that handball players are also the croatian ambassadors who in an excellent way represent Croatia, His Eminence reminded that blessed Alojzije Stepinac was also a passionate handball player during his study in Rome: „May blessed Alojzije be your example and your patron, how in life, so in this sport event.“
At the end of the meeting, captain of the team Igor Vori and player Domagoj Duvnjak, gave His Eminence gifts: a hand ball signed by all players and a flag of Croatian handball association. His Eminence gave the player rosaries.
Press Office of the Archdiocese of Zagreb
