Opatija, 26 June 2026 – Today’s gathering at INA’s Kvarner service station proved that top level basketball is not played only under the lights of sports arenas. Amid preparations for upcoming sporting challenges, the Croatian national basketball team, led by NBA stars and its coaching staff, briefly stepped away from the court and called a timeout at INA. The occasion was the celebration of the partnership between INA and the Croatian Basketball Federation.
For one day, INA’s Kvarner location was transformed into a genuine basketball court where customers, visitors and employees had the opportunity to experience first-hand the energy of Croatia’s sporting giants. Rather than following a traditional protocol, the focus was placed on direct interaction, photographs and a relaxed atmosphere in which the players showed themselves to be approachable teammates from the neighbourhood.
This gathering in Kvarner clearly demonstrated that the cooperation between INA and the Croatian Basketball Federation is an active partnership that lives alongside the local community and brings sporting energy to places where people come together every day.
That the company is led by an outstanding playmaker who recognises the importance of stories such as this was confirmed by President of the Management Board of INA, who jokingly referred to the players’ towering height advantage during an informal conversation, while also emphasising the strategic importance of supporting Croatian sport.
“From my very first day in Croatia, I realised one thing: here, sport is not merely entertainment, it is part of people’s identity. When you speak with people about Dražen Petrović, Dino Rađa, Toni Kukoč, or today’s stars such as Mario Hezonja, Ivica Zubac, Dario Šarić and Karlo Matković, you can see genuine pride in their eyes. That legacy carries great responsibility.
INA has a long tradition of supporting Croatian sport, but this partnership with the Croatian Basketball Federation is particularly important to us. We want to be a driving force and a true source of support for these exceptional players on their journey towards the World Cup. We want to help write new sporting stories, and I am proud that this new energy begins right here at our retail site, in direct contact with our customers,” said Zsuzsanna Ortutay, President of the Management Board of INA.
The Federation and the national team have gained a strong sixth player on the court in INA. Support from the country’s largest oil company comes at a crucial moment, as the national team strives for new achievements on the international stage. The significance of this partnership for the stability and development of Croatian basketball was highlighted by Nikola Rukavina, President of the Croatian Basketball Federation.
“I am proud that we marked the beginning of the partnership between INA and the Croatian Basketball Federation in the company of our fans and national team players. Gatherings like this remind us that basketball is much more than a sport – it brings people together, connects generations and creates memories that last a lifetime.
I would like to thank INA for its trust and support for Croatian basketball. I believe that through this partnership we will contribute to the development of basketball together and inspire new generations of children to fall in love with our sport,” said Rukavina.
The biggest surprise of the day, however, was reserved for loyal fans and customers who happened to be at the site. Filling up a car or enjoying a coffee alongside players who regularly fill NBA arenas is not an experience encountered every day. The national team players were delighted to share their impressions of this unusual appearance.
“When you play abroad, you appreciate every moment spent with fans back home even more. Today we found ourselves in a completely different environment than usual, but encounters like this are exactly what plays sports so special. Thank you to INA for giving us the opportunity to bring the national team closer to people outside the arena as well,” said Ivica Zubac.
“It is wonderful to see partners such as INA supporting the national team not only through a logo on a jersey, but by coming among people and creating moments like these. It means a great deal to us as players when we feel that the whole community stands behind us. I hope we managed to pass on at least some of that positive energy to the fans today, and that we will repay them on the court,” said Mario Hezonja.
“The national team has always been about more than basketball – it brings people together. That is why gatherings like this matter, because they show that we are accessible to our supporters and that together we are building a positive story around Croatian basketball. I am pleased that INA recognises this value and supports us on our journey towards new challenges,” concluded Dario Šarić.
Following a successful team gathering in Kvarner, the national team continues its journey towards new victories, while INA remains in the position of its most loyal supporter and logistical partner, ready for new shared sporting successes.
