The season is only just beginning, the city sits somewhere between the rhythm of spring and the vibe of summer, and there’s a feeling in the air that something is happening… but without any rush.
Against this backdrop, the Sunset Sports Festival returns to Falkensteiner Resort Punta Skala from June 4–6, bringing together people who see sport not as a finished product, but as a constantly evolving system. From athletes and leaders of international organizations to coaches, analysts, performance specialists, and the professionals working behind the scenes of elite sport.
And this is exactly where conversations begin about what sport looks like today—and where it is heading next.
Sport Beyond the Game
Discussions on the Main Stage begin with a question that lies behind almost every sports project today: what is sport actually becoming? The boundaries have shifted, and it is no longer just about competition. Sport has become a tool for shaping national identities, developing tourism strategies, attracting investment, and creating global stories that extend far beyond the playing field.
In this context, The Power of Sports, presented under the patronage of the Croatian National Tourist Board, brings together Tonči Glavina, Croatia’s Minister of Tourism and Sport, and Alan Goh, CEO of Sport Singapore. From different perspectives, they will explore how sport is becoming an integral part of a broader social and economic landscape.
Leadership, Pressure, and Real-Time Decisions
As sport evolves at the highest level, it is also changing in locker rooms and on the field.
At The Modern Leader, presented by Telemach, Dagur Sigurðsson, Head Coach of the Croatian Men’s National Handball Team, will discuss what is rarely visible from the outside: responding to defeat, regaining focus, and building trust within a team that must perform under constant pressure. In conversation with sports journalist Marko Šapit, he will explore a form of leadership that is not learned from theory, but developed through situations that unfold in real time.
Volleyball’s Global Breakthrough Moment offers a look at volleyball as it enters a new phase of growth, visibility, and international positioning.
This transformation will be discussed by Roko Sikirić, President of the European Volleyball Confederation, Frane Žanić, President of the Croatian Volleyball Federation, and Valentina Bifflin, President of the Central European Volleyball Zonal Association. Together, they will share perspectives on a sport that already enjoys a strong foundation while pursuing ambitious goals for global expansion.
What Truly Determines Performance—Yet Remains Invisible
While the Main Stage presents the broader picture of sport, the Performance & Health Lab takes the conversation several steps deeper—into the space where sport stops being a story and becomes a daily process.
Igor Štimac, former Head Coach of the Croatian National Football Team, will present From Player to Coach: Inside the Mind of a National Team Leader, reflecting on the transition from player to coach, the responsibility of leading a national team, and the challenge of building authority in an environment where everything is measured by results.
Pete Burridge, First Team Strength & Conditioning Coach at Chelsea FC, will deliver Inside Elite Performance, offering insights into working with elite athletes, daily routines, preparation strategies, and the countless micro-decisions that make a difference at the highest level of football.
The conversation continues with the panel What Really Drives Performance Inside Elite Football Teams. Jeanne Rose Rudy, Goalkeeping Coach at Paris Saint-Germain, Pete Burridge, and Jerko Leko, Head Coach of GNK Dinamo B Team and UEFA Pro Licence holder, will discuss the aspects of performance that often go unnoticed: relationships within the coaching staff, communication, psychological stability, and the team culture that underpins every elite performance.
Where Sport, Industry, and the Mediterranean Meet
Across three stages—the Main Stage, Esports Stage, and Performance & Health Lab—the festival covers the full spectrum of the modern sports industry: from strategic decision-making and global trends to digital sport and esports, as well as health, performance, and the methods behind achieving world-class results.
The full programme, speaker lineup, and additional festival information are available on the official website and through the festival’s social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
