U 2 METERS - Ivan Krapić
The years in the national team are the best in my life
There is a well-known and widespread saying in team sports that all athletes say - "The team is always ahead of the individual". This is factually absolutely correct and is a prerequisite for the sporting success of a group of individuals, without whose achievement there is no enterprise of the whole. There are no athletes who have not said such things about their careers, but still there are significantly fewer who have lived this motto, realized it in action, brought it to life with their own moves.
One of those is Ivan Krapić. Captain of the Barakuda since 2021. Self-effacing, maximally subordinate to the collective and the team's success. To the extent that he unquestioningly accepted not to play at the European Championship at the beginning of this year in Dubrovnik and Zagreb or to play only one game at the World Championship in Doha (against South Africa). Although he was in the status of captain, and one of the oldest players of the team. He never, literally for a single second, expressed resentment, offense, nor did he send verbal "poison arrows". On the contrary, he was and remained until the last second the biggest supporter of the entire team and at the service of its coach, that is, the selector.
The coach decided correctly
Not being included in the list of 13 players for the recent Olympic Games in Paris, at the same time, meant that Ivan Krapić at the age of 35 also ended his national team career.
Clearly there is regret that I was dropped from the combinations for Paris. There was also regret in 2009, when coach Rudić invited me for the first time to prepare for the World Cup in Rome, so I dropped out. There is regret. When an athlete comes to preparations, it is clear that he has ambitions to go to a big competition, that is normal. No matter how many players are around you; older, younger, better... Ambition always pulls you. So even now there is certainly regret, but when you do your best in the preparations, when you see that you have nothing to reproach yourself with, then the regret is a little less. That's something I've learned throughout my career. Even now, I am extremely sorry that I will not go to the Olympic Games, but I did my best, I tried to be on that list. This time it wasn't enough, but I don't hold anything against anyone. Neither Ivica (Tucak selectman), nor the staff, nobody. The coach decided that way and I even think that he made the right decision because Vrlić and Lončar are in my position, but as a tandem they have been the best center pair in the world for the last I don't know how many years. Since they were together. That's why I'm not angry, I'm not disappointed, I can't blame myself or the coach. That's right, that's sport and in the end I can only go 13.
You mentioned the preparations for the WC in Rome in 2009. Was that year also your first in the national team?
Yes, that was when Ratko invited me. Although, a year earlier, we had an A team that was preparing for the EP in Malaga and the OI in Beijing, but a B team was also formed. We played in the World League then. That's when I started, and here, the years have accumulated.
Not only the year but also the medal. Gold at two world championships, in Budapest 2017 and Doha this year, then European gold in Split 2022, then gold at the Mediterranean Games in Mersin 2013; and clearly, especially big, next to the world golds, the Olympic final in Rio 2016.
There was also one more. Gold from the World League in Astana 2012, just before the Games in London. Looking back, I certainly have something to be special about. Not only for the results, but for all the teammates I've shared the locker room with all these years. They wouldn't have achieved all these results if it weren't for such an atmosphere and such togetherness. In all those teams. I remember in 2009 when I came, I was 20 years old, there were Hinić, Barač, Damir Burić, Bošković, Pavić... All those big names that I had only seen on TV until then. I was just talking the other day about how well they received me. I felt like I had always been with them. That's why I tried all those years when the younger ones would come to the national team, to make them feel the same way. I am convinced that if a player does not feel good in the environment, he cannot give his best. In the end, it is in the interest of the national team that each individual gives his best, so that the team can be even better.
Uncompromising and character team
Ivan Krapić played the biggest match that any athlete can ever play, the final of the Olympic Games. It was 8 years ago in Rio, but Ivan told us a few days ago that the last three years among the Barracudas were his best years in the national team. Maybe also because he didn't even expect a subsequent invitation to the A type in 2021.
When I left Jadran for Noisy-le-Sec in 2020, and in those years in Split I had a period interrupted by injuries, I did not manage to finish a single season in its entirety, then I left for France reconciled that the national team is over. In 2018, I injured my shoulder, a year later I had thrombosis and what not. That's why Ivica Tucak pleasantly surprised me with an invitation after the Games in Tokyo in 2021. I didn't hesitate for a second. When that new team was assembled, there were a lot of doubts. 7-8 top players left and you don't know who is better - Joković, Xavi Garcia, Bušlje, Obradović, Lončar... That's why the new team was greeted with a lot of doubt after Tokyo, justifiably so. It wasn't easy at first. Not for us players, nor for Ivica to lead it, but simply I really felt in myself and among us, that this team is worth it. I was sure that this team would play well, if only we needed some time. In the end, it turned out that that team lost in record time, it only took a few months. Two months of preparation and we looked superb in Split 2022. All this only motivated me and all the boys even more to prove to everyone that this Croatia is worth it. In the end, it turned out that this particular national team achieved the best results in history in one Olympic cycle, from Tokyo to Paris! And the cycle was one year shorter. Let's not forget that the team from Rio 2016, and then a year later from Budapest when we won the title of world champions, were extremely strong individually. There we had one Sandro Sukno, at that moment the best player in the world. Well, the best left-handed pair, Garcia – Joković. Then Bušlje, Lončar. It was a national team that was top both individually and as a team. Then came the current team, after Tokyo, a team that at the beginning of 2022 was certainly not individually at the level of the previous one, but it was a team that got along, and it is the same to this day, that is 'warrior', uncompromising, that does not let anyone down. respects, is not afraid of anyone, has character, does not give up. It was really a pleasure to play in such a team. I only hope that others had fun with me, ha, ha - Ivan Krapić or Krapo will say with a smile.
It was important for me that Croatia wins
My guiding thread throughout my career has been that in team sports, the result of the team is determined. Who remembers the MFA in London or Rio more? Irrelevant. They only remember which team was on top and who won the medals. That's why I preferred to be in a team that will fight for titles, and have a smaller role, than to have a main role in a team that is fighting for 5th place. That's why it wasn't a problem for me last winter when I played less or didn't play at all, at EP and WC. It was important to me that Croatia win medals, that we play for the top. It's not a platitude for me, because what we achieve together is much more than individual statistics.
The most decorated player of Primorje
By the way, when we touched a bit on the club, Krapić is, if we are not mistaken, the most trophy-winning player in the history of Rijeka's Primorje EB, where he grew up. With this club, he was the champion of Croatia twice (2014 and 2015); Croatian Cup three times (2012/13; 2013/14 and 2014/15) and 3 times winner of the regional league (2013, 2014 and 2015).
Okay, we should also be objective here and say that from 2010 to 2016, Mr. Predrag Sloboda turned Primorje into a club that was one of the giants. All before and after, Primorje was a team of young, talented players who might have had some success and then after a year "disbanded" due to finances. I was 19-20 years old when I became part of such a first team. Since it was a club that played in the Champions League final, I didn't even see myself, I looked elsewhere. I was very lucky to be in the club at that moment. But I would return to the national team again. The years in the national team were certainly the best time in my life. For me, not a single club trophy can compare with the success of the national team. That's why I'm glad that I had the honor and happiness of sharing all those gold medals with my teammates because it was a truly indescribable feeling.
From autumn, the direction of Lithuania...
Yes, at the age of 35 I decided to do something else. My club in France, but I think others in that country as well, will be a little weaker financially after Paris. Then the story with Žaibas from Lithuania, where the coach is Blagoje Ivović, Aleksander's brother, coincided. Marko Jelača plays there, with whom he played in Primorje. They also attracted me with the project they presented, and I am looking forward to spending the last years of my career there - concluded Ivan Krapić, truly legendary Barracuda captain, magnificent athlete and man.
We leave him on a well-deserved summer vacation, now at home, in Rijeka, and enjoying time with his family
