This summer, Croatian National team has been part of four European Championships: Women’s Softball European Championship, U-18 Women’s Softball European Championship, Men’s Softball European Championship and U-18 Men’s Softball European Championship. Ten of Princ players took a part in Women’s European Championships. At the Women’s Softball European Championship represented club: Berišić Nina, Hrženjak Tihana, Ključarić Lara, Marjanović Eowyn and Puškarić Lorena. At the U-18 Women’s Softball European Championship represented club: Berišić Nina, Brlić Eva, Firšt Zara, Hrženjak Tihana, Jurić Nika, Ključarić Lara, Marjanović Eowyn, Pavor Paola and Prpić Bosanac Nika. Following players from our fraternal team Špansko, participated in U-18 Men’s Softball European Championship: Hamzić Armin, Krutman Patrik, Vidović Jurica, Vusić Mark and Županić Jan.
Women’s Softball European Championship
Women’s Croatian national team was one of the seventeen teams competing from 27 Jun 2021 to 03 Jul 2021 in Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy, for title of European Champion. Several tight and interesting games were played by team. Tenth place was historical moment for Croatia. It was the first time for Croatian Women’s team finished in top 10.
“It’s an honor to be a part of the team. It was an awesome feeling when I was told I got in. I loved playing with the girls, and I can truly say it was one of the most fun experiences in my life.” said Berišić Nina.
“I really enjoyed playing in national team because I played with girls from my team but also with girls from other teams. I already knew those girls but now I got the opportunity to really meet them. I think that on Women´s European Championship 2021 we played really well because we had some amazing individual players but more importantly, we functioned well as a team. I like that team because besides the games we played we would always play some board games or sing together so it was never boring.” said Hrženjak Tihana, who was at catcher position most of the games.
Results of Croatian National team:
CROATIA 0 : 7 ISRAEL
DENMARK 2 : 3 CROATIA
CZECH REPUBLIC 8 : 0 CROATIA
SLOVAKIA 1 : 2 CROATIA
CROATIA 1 : 0 AUSTRIA
CROATIA 3 : 9 BULGARIA
POLAND 1 : 0 CROATIA 9th placement game
U-18 Women’s Softball European Championship
A month later, from 19 Jul 2021 to 24 Jul 2021 Junior Girls Championship was held in Prague, Czech Republic. I got a chance to be a part of this group of young players as an assistant coach, what made me very happy. It was the first time I was at European Event as a member of staff, not a player. Most of our players were part of starting line ups, what is a good sign for the future. Due to Corona virus situation, many teams withdrew from this event and only eleven teams competed. Despite fact that our team managed to win only last game against Austria, it was very important for players to play on international level and get invaluable experiences.
“We needed to get used to each other because we were all from different teams but when we bonded, I think we played really good as a team and uplifted each other, and all together worked really well. One of the most amazing feelings and memories is the last game against Austria, when we really worked as a team, had a lot of awesome plays, and won in the end.” said hard worker Nina Berišić about her experience.
Results of Croatian National team:
GERMANY 15 : 3 CROATIA
CROATIA 0 : 13 ITALY
CROATIA 0 : 10 SWEDEN
CROATIA 1 : 16 FRANCE
POLAND 12 : 2 CROATIA
CROATIA 1 : 11 UKRAINE
CROATIA 15 : 5 AUSTRIA
U-18 Men’s Softball European Championship
Only four teams participated in men’s junior category, and Croatian team was one of them. Other three teams were: Czech Republic, Denmark, and Israel. Championship was played from 12 Jul 2021 to 17 Jul 2021 in Havlíčkův Brod, Czech Republic. Lower level of experience of Croatian and other three teams was too big, and team did not manage to win any game. Despite that, boys did they best and gained a lot of experience.
“We worked hard to enter the Croatian national team. My best memory is that I hit ball against Czech Republic and sent a player to home plate. I met new people and made good friendships.” said one of the players of our fraternal team Špansko, Patrik Krutman
