Photo: Pawel Jakubowski

The fifteenth edition of the international handball tournament Jarun Cup, held from April 27 to May 1, is behind us. Organized by the Academic Beach Handball Club and the Zagreb Handball Association, this now traditional tournament gathered a significant number of participants this year, and partners and sponsors made the May Day tournament even bigger with their contribution.

A total of 36 teams in senior categories and 28 teams in younger age groups participated in the 15th edition of the Jarun Cup. Out of 36 teams in the senior category, 22 teams competed in the men's and 14 teams in the women's competition, while the younger age groups competed in five categories - 2006 year (boys), 2008 year (boys and girls), 2010 and year 2012 (boys). The participants of the tournament played 216 games in five days, and they gathered from as many as 17 countries. As part of the Jarun Cup, a national team tournament was held, as a kind of preparatory tournament for the upcoming European Championship in Portugal, which will be held from May 24 to 28. France, Croatia, and Norway took part in the national team tournament.

At the end of the tournament itself, the medal awarding ceremony, led in his own style by Luka Bulic, was also reflected. The prizes for the best teams of younger age groups were awarded by Stjepan Babic, a member of the organizing committee of the tournament and the head coach of the men's junior beach handball team, which became the world champion last year.

The best teams in the boy's category in 2012 and younger are:
1. RK Dubrava
2. MRD Dobova
3. RK Dinamo

The best teams in the boy's category in 2010 are:
1. MRD Dobova
2. RK Dinamo 2
3. RK Dinamo

The best teams in the boy's category in 2008 are:
1. BHC Haren
2. MRD Dobova
3. BHC DK (Slavonski Brod)

The best teams in the girl's category in 2008 are:
1. Furki Sport
2. Sloga Sv. Sunday
3. ZRK Gorica

The best teams in the boy's category in 2006 are:
1. BHC Dubrava
2. MRD Dobov
3. RK Rugvica

Sinisa Ostoic, director of the Croatian beach handball teams, presented the awards to the best senior teams in the women's competition.

The best senior women's teams of the 15th edition of the Jarun Cup are:
1. OVB Beach girls
2. Multichem Szentendrei NKE
3. BHC Dubrava

Kazimir Ilijas, secretary of the Zagreb Handball Association, presented awards to the best men's teams in the senior category.

The best senior men's teams of the tournament are:
1. France
2. Squadra Buda
3. Escola de Formacao de Espinho - Os Tigres

In addition to the team awards, awards were also given to the most successful individuals in the tournament. The awards were given to the best six by Matija Sulc, president of AKRP Zagreb and member of the organizing committee of the Jarun Cup 2023.

The best players of the tournament:

LEFT WING: Isabel Bernard (Westsite Amsterdam)
RIGHT WING: Petra Dicak (BHC Dubrava)
PIVOT: Mirna Vuckovic (BHC Dubrava)
MARKER: Krista Mol (Westsite Amsterdam)
DEFENSE PLAYER: Gabriella Landi (OVB Beach Girls)
GOALKEEPER: Agnes Kokao (Multichem Szentendrei NKE)

The best players of the tournament are:

LEFT WING: Julio Sierra (EFE - Os Tigres)
RIGHT WING: Nicolas Desbonet (France)
PIVOT: Barnabas Toth Fekete (Squadra Buda)
MARKER: Attila Apro (Squadra Buda)
DEFENSE PLAYER: Fabjan Vrgoc (White Boys)
GOALKEEPER: Mirko Djonlic (White Boys)

Officials - judges and delegates from nine countries, including Lea Haramina, Vito Primec, Ivica Botincan, Dario Rupcic, Borna Bozikovic, Tea Lackovic, Marton Szedmak, Tamas Toth, Sylvia van Bree, Sander van Geel, Nevena Krajcar, Andrzej Jaworski, Petros Theodosiou, Adam Hill, Matej Oskera, Anna Gawel, Lazar Miskov, Dunja Janton, Antonio D'Ovidio, Boldizsar Lantor Szeczi, Bence Martin Batori, Bence Kovacs, Viktor Balint Barna, Ivana Krpina and Lena Gojavic made it possible for the tournament to be played in parallel on four courts.

In addition to the sport's contribution of the teams, this year's tournament was made possible by numerous partners and sponsors. From the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the Zagreb Handball Association, the Croatian Handball Association, the Croatian Olympic Committee, the European Handball Federation, the City of Zagreb, RSC Jarun, through technical partners - Furki sport, Nextbike by Tier, Crafter's, Dodivero Catering and media partners - SPTV, Agatin TV, 24 sata and Almar Media to sponsors and donors - Chemo Profili Zagreb, Handballdirekt, Vestico, Paja's pivnica, Unilever with its brands (Axe, Dove, Rexona), Polleo sport and Kras. Clubbing partners Vintage Industrial Bar and Beach Bar Charlie took care of good entertainment for the participants. Special thanks also go to longtime photographer Pawel Jakubowski and commentators Chris O'Reilly and Luka Bulic, as well as the Jarun Cup volunteers, without whom this tournament could not be held year after year.