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Duvnjak questionable at Croatia, Germany with Glandorf and Pekeler

Croatia's team captain has knee problems but he said that he believes it will be okay. However, he is not confirmed to play.

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Each of these opponents have 4 wins, as expected, so their head-to-head meeting will see them decide who takes top spot. There is a lot of talk about holding back because winning the top spot means meeting France in the semis, while the runner-up spot doesn't. However, getting the runner-up spot would mean facing Spain in quarterfinals. 

Germany will certainly not hold back and it seems like Croatia won't either. Babic is not that kind of a coach. 

He informed the media that Duvnjak is struggling with knee problems and that he questionable, despite playing less than at the previous championship and despite sitting our the entire last game (Chile). 

- He's been having problems with that knee for three months. Once the tendon is inflamed, it's tough to get it back to normal state and we're hoping to play three more games after Germany. 

Babic said that things have to be better after Chile. He said that faster and more mobile offense is a prioerity. That will be particularly important against the German defense. 

- Their 6-0 defense plays to block - Babic said. He will use the 7-on-6 tactics a lot, regardless of whether Duvnjak plays or not.

That saw them beat France and Denmark in the Olympics group stage. Babic didn't, however, say that he will use that tactics. 

- Germany are powerful individually. They're great shooters, with great flow. We'll try to stop their offense with our 5-1 defense - Babic said. 

Duvnjak said:

- I hope to play but I'm not at 100%. I would always play for Croatia regardless of anything. This is no different. I think it'll be fine. 

One question arises here. If Duvnjak doesn't play, who will be the 1 in 5-1 defense. Cindric played that position in some games and that didn't wasn't good.

- Germany became a serious team with Sigurdsson. I expect a good game. The real thing is starting now and we'll finally see where we are. We aren't at 100 percent still and we can stop them with a 5-1 defense. They are mostly used to 6-0 - Jakov Gojun said. 

Germany will have Flensburg's Glandorf for the key game in the group. He practiced for five days and played the friendly with Austria. It was just a matter of time before he got called to join the team. He is a brilliant player for both ends of the floor and will make Germany even more dangerous. 

- We are happy he will here. I think he can help a lot - Hafner said. His role will diminish now. 

- We know we need to play better than against Belarus. We lacked aggressiveness in the first half. We know we can do better - Hannover's leftie said.

- Croatia play a flexible defense. They are powerful and have good players. This will be a proper obstacle for us. But I feel we are ready. 

Germany always count on the same things...

- Good, aggressive defense, good goal keepers, good pace. That will make it tough for Croatia. 

The Croatia captain is having knee problems, the German captain lost his father. He went to Mannheim for the funeral yesterday but he'll be there today. His performances so far have been brilliant.

Dahmke is no longer on the team, while Pekeler, who wasn't even in France so far, joined. They won the EC and the Olympic medal with him as an important defense figure. 

- I had the plan with Pekele in my head for a while now. He gives our defense stability, he's our joker - Sigurdsson said.

We need to see how those two players will fit on the team since they didn't weren't there with the team when it prepared. Sigurdson said that Pekeler was there the previous years.