One of the most successful European Championships for Croatia has come to an end, here's why we'll remember Paris for a long time

The European Swimming Championships in Paris concluded with one of the most successful performances for Croatia, marking a milestone in the nation’s aquatic history. The competition ended on Sunday morning or shortly before, following the final races of the entire event. Croatian swimmers consistently performed well throughout the tournament, demonstrating their strength and potential. This stands in contrast to past championships, where Croatia often had little presence towards the end of the schedule. In the Sunday qualifiers, there was no time left for swimming to finish early. The men's 4x100 mixed relay team, consisting of Luka Čarapović, Filip Mujan, Vili Sivec, and Vlaho Nenadić, secured 12th place in a time of 3:34.87. On the 400 freestyle, three Croatian athletes competed. Franko Grgić achieved 22nd place with a time of 3:49.51, which set a personal best. Niko Janković came in 45th (3:59.56), while Karlo Perčinić finished 48th (4:00.73). Croatia will remember the Paris 2026 European Championships primarily for the bronze medal won in the 4x100 freestyle relay. It marks the first podium finish in a major championship since the 2008 European Championships in Eindhoven. Previously, Croatia had won a bronze in the 4x100 mixed relay in 2008, featuring Gordan Kožulj, Vanja Rogulj, Duje Draganja, and Mario Todorović. This victory also represented the country's first medal at such a level since the 2016 London European Championships, when Matee Samardžić claimed bronze in the 200 backstroke. Paris is being left behind with more than just one medal, Croatian swimmers also set four national records and six personal bests. Some records were even broken twice within the same discipline, though we count each once here. The goal prior to the European Championships was to achieve the best times, and young athletes largely succeeded in this endeavor. Among the standout performers was Jere Hribar, who confirmed his status as the top Croatian swimmer. He set two national records and reached finals in both the 4x100 freestyle and the individual 100m race. However, many other swimmers also shone during the competition in Saint-Denis. Luka Čarapović, for example, has been less discussed in the media but set a national record in the 50 backstroke and a personal best in the 100 backstroke. His achievements are particularly notable given he is the youngest member of the national team at the event. Franko Grgić’s return to competitive form is equally impressive. After suffering an injury that kept him away from the pool for several years, he gradually made his way back. His personal bests in the 200 and 400 freestyle are significant milestones. Similarly, Vili Sivec’s performance deserves attention, he earned a medal and set a national record, as did Vlaho Nenadić, who also reached the semifinals in the 100 freestyle. Prior to the Paris event, there was widespread optimism among Croatian swimmers. The confidence built up through consistent results led to a belief that Croatian swimming was finally heading in the right direction. The return to competitive success is genuine and promising, signaling a serious commitment to the sport.