CroatianHandball playerOlympic medalistExpatriate

Denis Špoljarić

Denis Špoljarić is a former Croatian handball player and assistant coach who won gold medals at the 2004 Summer Olympics and the 2003 World Championship with the Croatian national team.

1. Overview

Denis Špoljarić (born Denis ŠpoljarićDenis ŠpoljarićCroatian, August 20, 1979) is a former Croatian handball player and currently serves as an assistant coach for RK Zagreb. During his playing career, he was a pivotal member of the Croatian national team, achieving significant international success. He won a gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics and was a World champion in 2003. Additionally, Špoljarić secured silver medals at the 2005 World Men's Handball Championship and the 2008 European Men's Handball Championship. His playing position was center back.

2. Early Life

Denis Špoljarić was born on August 20, 1979. His early life and background laid the foundation for his distinguished career in handball.

3. Career

Denis Špoljarić's career spans over a decade as a professional handball player, followed by a transition into coaching, where he continues to contribute to the sport.

3.1. Playing Career

Špoljarić's playing career saw him compete at the highest levels of club handball in multiple European leagues and achieve considerable success with the Croatian national team.

3.1.1. Club Career

Špoljarić began his professional club career with RK Zagreb in Croatia, where he spent significant portions of his playing years across two stints. His first period with Zagreb was from the 1997-98 season through 2000-01. After this, he moved to Pfadi Winterthur in Switzerland for the 2001-02 season, where he won the Swiss Handball League. He then returned to RK Zagreb for a second, longer tenure, from 2002-03 until 2009-10. During his time with Zagreb, he won multiple Premier League titles and Croatian Cups, establishing himself as a key player.

Following his extensive period in Croatia, Špoljarić played for Pivovara Laško Celje in Slovenia during the 2006-07 season, winning both the MIK 1. Liga and the Slovenian Handball Cup. His club career later took him to Germany, where he joined Füchse Berlin Reinickendorf. With Füchse Berlin, he continued to add to his list of club honours, winning the DHB-Pokal in 2014, the EHF Cup in 2015, and the IHF Super Globe in 2015.

3.1.2. International Career

Denis Špoljarić represented the Croatian national handball team in numerous major international tournaments, contributing to some of the team's most celebrated achievements. He was a member of the Croatian squad that won the World Championship in 2003. The following year, he achieved Olympic glory, winning a gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. He also earned a silver medal at the 2005 World Men's Handball Championship and another silver medal at the 2008 European Men's Handball Championship.

3.2. Coaching Career

After concluding his distinguished playing career, Denis Špoljarić transitioned into coaching. He currently serves as an assistant coach for his former club, RK Zagreb, contributing his extensive experience and knowledge to the next generation of handball players.

4. Achievements and Honours

Denis Špoljarić's career is marked by a substantial collection of titles and awards, reflecting his success at both club and international levels, as well as individual recognitions.

4.1. Club Honours

Špoljarić secured numerous championships and notable finishes with the clubs he played for:

  • RK Zagreb
    • Premier League
      • Winner (11): 1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-00, 2000-01, 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10
    • Croatian Cup
      • Winner (10): 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010
    • EHF Cup Winners' Cup
      • Finalist (1): 2005
      • Pfadi Winterthur
        • Swiss League
          • Winner (1): 2001-02
          • Pivovara Laško Celje
            • MIK 1. Liga
              • Winner (1): 2006-07
            • Slovenian Cup
              • Winner (1): 2007
            • EHF Men's Champions Trophy
              • Finalist (1): 2007
              • Füchse Berlin
                • DHB-Pokal
                  • Winner (1): 2014
                • EHF Cup
                  • Winner (1): 2015
                • IHF Super Globe
                  • Winner (1): 2015

4.2. International Honours

Špoljarić's international career with the Croatian national team brought him considerable success:

  • World Championship
    • Gold medal: 2003
    • Silver medal: 2005
  • Olympic Games
    • Gold medal: 2004 Athens
  • European Championship
    • Silver medal: 2008

4.3. Individual Awards

  • Franjo Bučar State Award for Sport - 2004

4.4. State Orders

Denis Špoljarić received a significant state recognition for his contributions to Croatian sport:

  • Order of Danica Hrvatska with the face of Franjo Bučar - 2004
Order of Danica Hrvatska with the face of Franjo Bučar, awarded to Denis Špoljarić in 2004
Order of Danica Hrvatska with the face of Franjo Bučar, awarded to Denis Špoljarić in 2004