Dear Mr. Spangenberger,

thank you for your e-mail. We are sorry to hear that there will be no Quirinus Cup this year. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted most of our plans as well.

Below you can find our report on youth teams training during COVID-19 period:

As in practically all European countries, our young handball players, as well as other athletes, were and are still having great difficulties in engaging in sports activities during the pandemic.

In the Republic of Croatia there was no period of strict lockdown, in terms of curfew or ban on moving within the place of residence, but in one period epidemiological measures prohibited travel between counties. Most of the pandemic time outdoor sports activities were allowed, which is still the case, but without the appropriate competitions and spectators. Sports trainings and indoor competitions during the pandemic period were allowed only for certain categories of top athletes, such as senior teams of the 1st and the 2nd national rank and junior teams in the 1st rank in league competitions, as well as individual athletes categorized according to the Croatian Olympic Board or the ones who are preparing for the highest international competitions. Therefore, recreational and amateur sports, including lower-ranking handball clubs, were unfortunately unable to practise and to compete.

Part of the resistance trainings during this time were held in stadiums, outdoors, but without competition and group trainings. In this regard, great mutual understanding and mutual assistance of clubs was expressed, as well as understanding of city structures, in order to use the open facilities fairly for the benefit of all athletes. But given the recent improvement in epidemiological conditions, we expect indoor sports venues to open for all clubs in early June.

Finally, I take this opportunity to wish a quick and complete recovery of sports in our countries and a reunion as soon as possible on the sports fields.

Cordially,
ALEKSANDRA RAJAČIĆ LUKIĆ, Protocol and International Co-operation Coordinator of Rijeka