Domagoj Duvnjak facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Domagoj Duvnjak |
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 1 June 1988 Đakovo, SR Croatia, SFR Yugoslavia |
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| Nationality | Croatian | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Playing position | Centre back | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Club information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current club | THW Kiel | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior clubs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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2004–2006
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RK Đakovo | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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2006–2009
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RK Zagreb | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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2009–2014
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HSV Hamburg | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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2014–
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THW Kiel | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| National team 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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2006–
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Croatia | 257 | (771) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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| 1 National team caps and goals correct as of 12 July 2024 |
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Domagoj Duvnjak (born June 1, 1988) is a famous Croatian professional handball player. He plays as a centre back for THW Kiel, a top club team, and for the Croatian national team. Many people think he is one of the best handball players ever. He is often compared to another Croatian legend, Ivano Balić. In 2014, he was named the IHF World Player of the Year for his amazing performance in 2013. This award means he was considered the best handball player in the world that year.
He joined the Croatian national team in 2006. He has played for Croatia in many Olympic Games. He won a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics. With Croatia, he has also won eight medals at the European and World Championships. These include silver medals in 2008, 2010, and 2020 at the European Championships, and a silver medal in 2009 at the World Championships.
In August 2009, Duvnjak signed a three-year contract with HSV Hamburg. The deal was worth a lot of money, making him the most expensive handball player in history at just 21 years old.
He played for RK Đakovo from 2004 to 2006. Then he moved to RK Zagreb (2006–2009) and HSV Hamburg (2009–2014). Since 2015, he has been playing for THW Kiel.
Contents
Duvnjak's Handball Journey
Duvnjak started playing handball when he was only 6 years old in his hometown club, RK Đakovo. Even as a child, he loved watching professional handball matches. He especially enjoyed games from the German league and RK Zagreb.
Duvnjak's Family Life
Domagoj Duvnjak comes from a family that loves handball. His father was a handball coach at RK Đakovo. His mother, sister, and even his uncle also played handball. He went to a high school called a gymnasium in his hometown of Đakovo.
Duvnjak is married to his wife, Lucija. They have three children together. He is also a Roman Catholic.
Awards and Achievements
Domagoj Duvnjak has won many important awards and championships throughout his career.
Club Successes
He has helped his club teams win many titles:
- RK Zagreb
- Croatian League: 2007, 2008, 2009
- Croatian Cup: 2007, 2008, 2009
- HSV Hamburg
- EHF Champions League: 2013 (This is the top club competition in Europe!)
- German League (Bundesliga): 2011
- German Cup: 2010
- German Supercup: 2009, 2010
- THW Kiel
- EHF Champions League: 2020
- EHF Cup: 2019 (Another important European club competition)
- German League (Bundesliga): 2015, 2020, 2021, 2023
- German Cup: 2017, 2019, 2022
- German Supercup: 2014, 2015, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Individual Awards
Duvnjak has also received many personal awards for being an outstanding player:
- Dražen Petrović Award: 2007 (Award for young Croatian athletes)
- Bundesliga Ideal Team: 2011 (Chosen as one of the best players in the German league)
- Best Croatian handball player by SN & CHF: 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015
- Bundesliga Player of the Season: 2013 (Recognized as the best player in the German league for that season)
- Handball-Planet.com's World's Best Handball Player: 2013
- IHF World Player of the Year: 2013 (The highest individual award in handball!)
- Croatian Sportsman of the Year: 2020
All-Star Team Selections
He has been chosen for the "All-Star Team" at major tournaments, meaning he was one of the best players in his position:
- Best centre back of the 2013 World Championship
- Best centre back of the 2014 European Championship
- Best centre back of the 2017 World Championship
- Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2020 European Championship (This means he was the most important player at the tournament!)
See also
In Spanish: Domagoj Duvnjak para niños
