The handball in Croatia is played since the beginning of 20 centiry. First match was played in Varazdin. Under the scope of former Yugoslavia, Croatian handball federation was formed on December 19, 1948. On the meeting held on October 21, 1990, Executive Committee of Handball federation of Croatia reached the decision of separation from Yugoslavian handball association. The name was changed into Croatian handball federation. Handball become the first independent national sport in Croatia.
In 1992. CHF was recognized by the IHF on the occasion of Olympis congress in time of Olympis games in Barcelona.
Croatian national men' team played its first match on 14 January in Zagreb against Japan (23-23).
Croatian men national team has won the Mediterranean games in France 1993, Italy 1997, Turkey 2001. The women team has won the Mediterranean games in France 1993, and they win second place in Italy four years later.
The biggest success of the man team was winning the World Cup in Portugal this year, and also winning the golden medal on the Olympic games in Atlanta 1996. Also, Croatia was second in WC in Island in 1995 and third at European Championsips in Portugal 1994.
The women team has also won the bronze medal on European Junior Championship in France 2000.
In the youth category, Croatia was playing on the WC in Brazil 1995 when the were on 13-16 place. On the lact WC, held in Hungary, Croatia was tenth.

Croatian Handball Federation
Trg Sportova 11
HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
tel:
++ 385 1 45 76 111
fax:
++ 385 1 45 73 036
++ 385 1 45 73 031
e-mail:hrvatski-rukometni-savez@hrs.hr