In sports, it is essential to know how to act when you win. The Danish team players demonstrated this by honoring the Croatian National Team Captain, Domagoj Duvnjak, in his farewell as an international player at 36. With the final of the Handball World Cup already determined in their favor from minute 35, they allowed Duvnjak to score the last goal of the game, a gesture that showcased their respect for the legendary player.
This commendable sports gesture was a tribute to a legend of the sport who is saying goodbye to the Croatian team without being able to win a title in his almost two decades of defending his country. Despite this, Duvnjak leaves the national Croatian team with an impressive nine medals, including five silver and four bronze, won in world championships, European championships, and Olympic Games.
In the final moments of the game, with only ten seconds left, the ball arrived at the hands of Duvnjak. The Danish player, Mensah Larsen, invited him to approach the goal, and with the approval of his teammates, Duvnjak scored his last goal with Croatia. This moment was a testament to the sportsmanship and respect that exists in the world of handball.
Duvnjak, aware that his stage was finished as an international player, approached the Danish players to hug them, a gesture he repeated with all his rivals on the track. The Danish team, who had already won the game, applauded Duvnjak to celebrate his farewell, showing respect and admiration for the legendary player. This moment was a testament to the sportsmanship and respect that exists in the world of handball, and the standing ovation from the public, regardless of their team colors, was a fitting tribute to Duvnjak’s last dance in handball.