# Croatian Team Championship Kicks Off in Brela
The Finale kupa Republike Hrvatske 2026 opened Round 1 this week in the coastal town of Brela, with four squads battling it out in a six-round Team Swiss format. Ivan Šarić leads the strongest lineup, flanked by Ante Brkić, Leon Livaić, and Saša Martinović across the board assignments.
This format rewards both individual skill and team depth. Šarić carries the heaviest load as the presumed top board, but matches hinge on how well his teammates perform under classical time controls. Ninety minutes per side with increments stretches preparation thin and punishes careless moves.
Brkić represents the tournament's wildcard element. His tournament results fluctuate sharply, making team competitions unpredictable. A hot Brkić carries his whole squad forward. A cold one drags everyone down.
The Brela venue offers a relaxed setting that tends to produce fighting chess. Players rarely phone in team competitions. Stakes matter less than at the super-GM level, which paradoxically makes the games sharper. Everyone plays to win.
With five rounds remaining, the early positioning matters less than momentum. Teams that win Round 1 often carry confidence into deeper rounds. Šarić's squad landed on the right side of the pairings so far. How they capitalize depends on whether their supporting boards show up.