Croatia’s handball heroes spark fierce clash over nationalist singer

Croatia’s national handball team’s bronze medal triumph at the Men’s European Handball Championship, hosted this year across Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, has unexpectedly ignited a major political confrontation that extends far beyond the realm of sports.

The traditional public reception for the players at Zagreb’s central Ban Josip Jelačić Square – typically a moment of national unity – devolved into a heated standoff between the central government and municipal authorities.

The City of Zagreb initially planned to host the ceremony, complete with a concert in the city center. Tensions escalated when the players requested the inclusion of nationalist singer Marko Perković, known by his stage name Thompson, in the musical lineup.

Thompson enjoys widespread popularity in Croatia but remains highly controversial due to his use of slogans and references linked to the fascist Ustasha regime from World War II. His concerts have faced bans in several European countries, and his lyrics and symbols have repeatedly provoked strong public backlash in Croatia.

In response to the players’ request, Zagreb Mayor Tomislav Tomašević cancelled the event, invoking a municipal regulation that bars the use of public spaces for activities that could promote, incite, or tolerate national, religious, or racial hatred.

The decision prompted swift backlash from the national government. Tourism Minister Tonči Glavina declared that the government, in collaboration with the Croatian Handball Federation, would assume responsibility for organizing the reception – bypassing city authorities entirely and ensuring the event proceeded as planned on the central square.

Mayor Tomašević condemned the move as “institutional violence and a constitutional deviation.” The controversy quickly drew broader political responses. Prime Minister Andrej Plenković accused the left-wing opposition of employing a “strategy of chaos” to depict Croatia as dysfunctional, insisting that citizens have a natural right to celebrate their athletes’ achievements without interference.

Siniša Hajdaš Dončić, president of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), labeled the government’s intervention a “state coup by the radical right” against local self-government. In a joint statement, the SDP emphasized that the dispute had transcended sport, evolving into an assault on democratic institutions and the politicization of a national sporting success.

From the right, Ivan Penava, leader of the Homeland Movement (DP), accused the mayor and his Možemo! party of pushing an “ideological agenda” and displaying “contempt for everything Croatian,” arguing that national pride and unity should take precedence at such a moment.

The situation grew more dramatic when municipal authorities reported a bomb threat at City Hall, prompting an evacuation of the building and police intervention. Authorities also inspected the offices of the Možemo! party amid suspicions – ultimately unconfirmed – that the threat might have originated there.

Despite the turmoil, the event went ahead shortly before 18:00 local time. Tens of thousands of citizens gathered in Ban Josip Jelačić Square to welcome the team. Approximately an hour into the celebration, Thompson took the stage, greeting the players as “Croatian knights” who had brought joy to the nation amid the off-field difficulties and tensions.

This episode starkly illustrates how sport in Croatia can rapidly become a proxy for deeper political battles. It once again raises fundamental questions: Who ultimately controls the use of public spaces? And to what degree can national sporting successes remain insulated from partisan rivalries? In a society still grappling with profound historical legacies and potent symbols, the boundary between joyous celebration and bitter conflict remains perilously thin.

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Caption: Croatian Handball national team players celebrate their bronze medal with Croatian singer Marko Perkovic Thompson during the Welcome ceremony for the Croatian Handball team after winning their bronze medal at EHF EURO 2026, at Ban Jelacic Square in Zagreb, Croatia, 2 February 2026. EPA/ANTONIO BAT