Published 03. November 2016.
The PPD Zagreb handball team at the Valamar Diamant
The Croatian handball champions PPD Zagreb are staying at the Valamar Diamant Hotel in Poreč, and will be training in the newly renovated Diamant sports hall. This is the most successful Croatian club whose team members have played for the Croatian national handball team in numerous occasions over the years. Today, six team members proudly wear the national team shirt. This is also where the Croatian most successful handball player Igor Vori started his career- he joined the club again this summer.
The Valamar Diamant Hotel is very well known in the handball world because it provides excellent conditioning opportunities. Besides comfortable accommodation and premium food there are also numerous sports grounds, pools, walking paths, fitness and aerobic facilities and a wellness center. The Valamar Diamant has hosted numerous national teams during the 21st Handball World Championship (Brazil, Denmark, Egypt, Norway, Saudi Arabia and Serbia), the President Cup (Tunis, Algeria and Russia) while this summer Telekom Veszprem, the multiple champion of Hungary and one of the best European teams chose it for the venue of its summer preparations .
“Thanks to its facilities, amenities and systematic investments in the improvement of service quality tailored to fit the needs of sportsmen, the Valamar Diamant has become the regional preparations center for top athletes, hosting the Croatian national handball, basketball and volleyball teams, along with other international clubs. At the end of October we hosted the first official training camp and the first official international presentation of Bahrain's Merida Pro cycling team, which confirms our position as the perfect sports venue,“ said Mario Skopljaković, Valamar Diamant General Manager.
The Zagreb handball club was established 94 years ago (in 1922), and during its successful history it has won 10 national championship titles in the former Yugoslavia and triumphed in the 25 editions of the national championship since Croatia gained its independence. In the former Yugoslavia the club won the Cup in 1962, while in Croatia they managed to win it 23 times! The most successful were the years 1992 and 1993 when it won the European championship. In the next four finals in 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999 Zagreb lost the European championship league but it remained one of the most awarded European clubs. It won the European Super cup in 1993, and the SEHA Gazprom League in 2012. Over 60 trophies won at major tournaments make it the most awarded handball and sports club in Croatia.