Croatian Embassy in Washington D.C.

10/25/2026

🇭🇷🇺🇸 Celebrating Croatian-American greatness, one legend at a time!

Yesterday evening, the 2026 Croatian American Sports Hall of Fame (CAS-HOF) Induction Ceremony took place in Eastlake, Ohio, celebrating athletes whose extraordinary achievements have left an indelible mark on American sports while proudly carrying their Croatian heritage.

Headlining this year’s class was Stipe Miocic, two-time UFC Heavyweight Champion, son of Croatian immigrants, and one of the greatest heavyweights in MMA history. Joining him in this distinguished class were Meri Abbado, Fred Arbanas, Gary Beban, Bobby Grich, Jack Marin, Rob Ninkovich, and Johnny Pesky — eight remarkable inductees representing basketball, baseball, football, mixed martial arts, and bodybuilding.

Ambassador Pjer Šimunović was honored to attend the ceremony and celebrate these outstanding athletes, whose accomplishments embody the determination, perseverance, and excellence that connect the Croatian-American experience with the broader American story.

A special thank-you to Steve Rukavina, President of the National Federation of Croatian Americans Cultural Foundation (NFACF) and Co-Chair of the Croatian American Sports Hall of Fame, for establishing and championing this noteworthy initiative. Through his dedication and leadership, alongside the work of the NFACF and its partners, the Hall of Fame preserves the legacy of Croatian-American sporting greatness and ensures these extraordinary achievements and stories inspire generations to come.

More than championships, records, and trophies, these athletes represent a proud heritage, a spirit of hard work, and the enduring contributions of Croatian Americans to the United States. Their stories remind us that honoring our past is also an investment in the next generation.

Congratulations to all the inductees, and thank you to the NFACF and the Croatian Fraternal Union for keeping this remarkable legacy alive!

Croatian roots. American dreams. Sporting greatness. A legacy that inspires generations. 🇭🇷🏆🇺🇸

10/24/2026

🇭🇷🇺🇸 Honoring a legacy of service, sacrifice, and friendship.

Tonight in Eastlake, Ohio, Ambassador Pjer Šimunović opened the A250 exhibition Croatian Americans in the U.S. Armed Forces: History, Service, and Partnership at the American-Croatian Lodge Cardinal Stepinac, celebrating generations of Croatian Americans who have served in the United States Armed Forces and helped shape the story of their adopted homeland.

We were honored to welcome Representative David Joyce, Co-Chair of the Croatian Congressional Caucus, congressional candidate Maria Jukic, and Eastlake Mayor Kevin Kostelnik, who joined Ambassador Šimunović in delivering opening remarks.

Behind every name, photograph, and uniform is a story of courage, duty, and sacrifice. These are the stories of men and women who answered America’s call to serve, carrying with them a proud Croatian heritage while defending the ideals of their American home. Their contributions are a powerful reminder that the Croatian-American story is an inseparable part of the American story.

The bonds between Croatia and the United States are built not only through diplomacy and shared values, but also through generations of Croatian Americans who have served, sacrificed, and contributed to the nation they call home. Their legacy connects generations and strengthens the enduring friendship between our two nations.

As we mark America’s 250th anniversary, this exhibition offers an opportunity to remember those who served, honor the families who carry their legacy forward, and ensure that their stories are never forgotten.

Two nations, one enduring bond, and generations of service that remind us what it means to serve something greater than ourselves. 🇭🇷🤝🇺🇸

10/24/2026

10/21/2026

🇭🇷🇺🇸 A250 Military Exhibition | October 23, 2026

Croatia and the United States share a proud history built on courage, sacrifice, and freedom. ❤️🤍💙

The Embassy of the Republic of Croatia invites you to the opening of the A250 Military Exhibition, honoring Croatian Americans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces and recognizing their extraordinary contributions to American history.

📅 Friday, October 23, 2026
🕕 6:00 PM
📍 American-Croatian Lodge Cardinal Stepinac
34900 Lakeshore Blvd, Eastlake, OH

Join us in celebrating our shared heritage and honoring the brave men and women who have served our country.

🇭🇷🇺🇸 Živjela Hrvatska! God Bless America!

10/21/2026

Yesterday, we had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Ksenija Kos, President of CROMed-USA for a compelling presentation on CROMed-USA: Building a Transatlantic Medical Partnership, inspiring a thought-provoking and constructive discussion on strengthening Croatian-American cooperation in medical education and patient care.

The event highlighted how Croatian-American cooperation in medical education, professional exchange, and innovation can strengthen ties between our two countries while contributing to better patient care.

The presentation concluded with a constructive discussion on opportunities to deepen collaboration, build lasting institutional partnerships, and empower the next generation of medical professionals on both sides of the Atlantic.

As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States, CROMed-USA is an inspiring example of how shared heritage, professional expertise, and a common vision can create meaningful partnerships for the future.

10/21/2026

🇭🇷🇺🇸 Great teams need great teammates — and great events need great partners!

Our Croatia–USA in Sports: Where History Meets Greatness event would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors, who helped bring Croatian and American sporting stories, people, and opportunities together as part of our A250 series celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.

A huge HVALA to every sponsor who joined our team! 🤝

🏆 PLATINUM SPONSOR

Honorary Consul of the Republic of Croatia in New Orleans

🥇 GOLD SPONSORS

Aspect Energy • Orqa • Florida Premier Football Club • KiNRG

🥈 SILVER SPONSORS

Atlantic Grupa • Adriatic Strategic Partners • N9 Medical Group • HS Produkt • Enterprise Welding and Fabricating Inc. • CLEGOLF Properties • Joe Brajevich • KONČAR

🥉 BRONZE SPONSORS

Cibona • NEPHOS

📰 MEDIA PARTNERS

Večernji list • Croatians Online

Your support helped make this celebration of sporting excellence, Croatian-American heritage, and the power of sports diplomacy a reality. More importantly, you helped create space for new connections, partnerships, and opportunities on both sides of the Atlantic.

Different fields, one team, and a shared passion for bringing Croatia and the United States closer together. 🇭🇷🤝🇺🇸

Thank you for being part of the team!

10/20/2026

🇭🇷🇺🇸 What an incredible event celebrating the stories, achievements, and people that connect Croatia and the United States through sports!

As part of our A250 series marking America’s 250th anniversary, Croatia–USA in Sports: Where History Meets Greatness brought together sporting legends, community leaders, and friends from both sides of the Atlantic for an evening full of inspiring conversations, memorable stories, and Croatian-American pride.

We were honored to welcome an outstanding lineup of athletes and sporting personalities including: David Diehl, Ante Razov, Aljoša Asanović, Troy Dayak, Ivana Habazin, and Kevin Maris. Their experiences, achievements, and insights brought tremendous depth and inspiration to the evening.

From Olympic ambitions and championship victories to the remarkable contributions of Croatian Americans to American sports, our panels explored how a shared passion for sports can open doors to new partnerships and opportunities for the next generation. We also celebrated the growing friendship between Alexandria, Virginia, and Osijek, Croatia — a connection sparked by the Croatian national team’s World Cup base camp and now developing into a broader partnership in sports, culture, tourism, and people-to-people ties.

A heartfelt hvala to all our speakers and moderators for sharing their knowledge, experiences, and stories, and to everyone who worked behind the scenes to bring this event to life. From planning and coordination to the exhibition, technical production, and event logistics, this was a true team effort, and we are grateful to all who contributed their time, energy, and enthusiasm.

We were delighted to welcome guests in Alexandria and viewers joining us from across the United States and Croatia. Thank you for being part of this celebration and helping bring the Croatian-American sporting story to a wider audience.

As we mark America’s 250th anniversary, we are reminded that the Croatian-American story is an integral part of the American story — and that the connections built through sports can inspire an even stronger future for our two nations and communities.

The event may be over, but the conversations, friendships, and partnerships it celebrated are only getting started. Vidimo se uskoro! 🇭🇷🤝🇺🇸

📸 Photo credits: Croatians Online and the Embassy of The Republic of Croatia to the USA

10/18/2026

🏆🇭🇷🇺🇸 From the pitch to the gridiron and the baseball diamond, Croatian Americans have left their mark on American sports. Now, it’s time to hear their stories!

For our next A250 panel spotlight, we’re bringing together Panel II: “Croatian American Sporting Legends” at Croatia–USA in Sports: Where History Meets Greatness.

Moderated by Jack Baric, the panel features an all-star lineup:

⚽ Ante Razov — former U.S. national team forward and one of Major League Soccer’s most prolific goal scorers.

🏈 David Diehl — two-time Super Bowl champion with the New York Giants.

⚾ Kevin Maris — son of baseball legend Roger Maris, whose record-breaking achievements remain part of American sports history.

🇭🇷 Steve Rukavina — Chair of the Croatian American Sports Hall of Fame and President of the National Federation of Croatian Americans Cultural Foundation (NFACF).

What does it take to reach the top? How have Croatian roots shaped sporting journeys? And how can the achievements of these legends inspire the next generation?

Expect great stories, sporting pride, and a celebration of the Croatian-American legacy in sports. You won’t want to miss this one!

📺 Watch the livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZncnkpqLDc

Whether you’re cheering from Alexandria, Chicago, Zagreb, or anywhere in between, join us for a celebration of Croatian-American sporting greatness!

10/17/2026

⚾ KEYNOTE SPOTLIGHT: If You Build It, They Will Come — The Future of Croatian Baseball

“If you build it, they will come.” But what if the field is in Croatia? 🇭🇷⚾

Join moderator Jack Baric and Luke Salas, head coach of the Croatian National Baseball Team, as they explore the dream of growing baseball in Croatia. From laying the foundations to inspiring the next generation, this is about believing in the game and daring to dream big.

After all, sometimes all you need is a field, a ball, and a little faith. And if Croatia builds it, who knows who might come?

🎥 Can’t make it to the field? Watch the keynote LIVE here: https://www.youtube.com/live/wZncnkpqLDc?is=TWWRVpjjmxixP8by

The dream is alive. Now, let’s play ball! 🇭🇷🇺🇸

10/17/2026

🇭🇷🤝🇺🇸 From the World Cup to a friendship that goes beyond football!

For our next A250 panel spotlight, we’re looking at Panel III: “World Cup 2026: Alexandria and Osijek” — the story of how one football tournament brought two cities together and opened the door to a lasting partnership.

The conversation will be moderated by Matthew McGrath — our very own American lega, a Baranjac from Pittsburgh who now calls Zmajevac home. Who better to help Alexandria discover Osijek and Baranja and explore what connects our two communities? 😉

We’ll hear from Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins, who helped turn the excitement of hosting the Vatreni into a vision for lasting cooperation. And we’ll have a special video greeting from a mystery guest joining us from Osijek’s city administration… any guesses who it might be? 👀

The panel will explore how sport brought our cities together, what the new friendship city partnership can mean in practice, and what lies ahead in sports, culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.

The World Cup was the beginning. Now comes the exciting part: building something that lasts.

📺 Can’t join us in person at The Satire in Alexandria? Watch the livestream here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZncnkpqLDc

A big hvala to Croatians Online for helping bring our A250 celebration to viewers on both sides of the Atlantic!