Ivano Balić is a Croatian former professional handballer who is currently part of the coaching staff at RK Split. Renowned for his speed, creativity, movement and charisma as a player, Balić won the 2003 World Championship and the Olympic gold medal in 2004 with the Croatian national team, and thirteen titles playing for clubs in Croatia, Spain and Germany. He also earned two World Championship silver medals, two European Championship silver medals and one bronze medal, and one Olympic bronze medal (2012) with the national team. He is widely considered one of the greatest Handball players of all time and has been nicknamed "Rukometni Mozart".