Montenegro’s Handball Team Secures Euro Championship Spot

Montenegro’s handball team has successfully qualified for the European Championship, a significant achievement underscored by their recent performance in the qualifying tournament held in Slovakia. Following a challenging start, the team demonstrated resilience and skill to secure their place in the prestigious event.

In the opening match against the host nation, Slovakia, Montenegro faced a daunting defeat, losing by a score of 41-22. According to Vuk Kaluđerović, head coach of the Montenegrin cadet team, the players entered the match with high hopes but were quickly overwhelmed. “We started catastrophically, making a series of technical errors and missing clear opportunities,” Kaluđerović stated. He noted that the Slovakian team capitalized on these mistakes effectively, leaving Montenegro’s morale diminished early in the match.

Despite this setback, Montenegro bounced back in their second match against Ukraine, securing a hard-fought victory with a score of 31-26. Kaluđerović attributed their success to a calm and focused approach. “We knew that this was a tournament and that everyone could experience a bad day, just as we did against Slovakia. We did not panic; instead, we shifted our focus to Ukraine and executed our game plan effectively,” he explained.

The Montenegrin team continued their impressive run by narrowly defeating the Netherlands 24-23 in a tense match. They maintained a lead for most of the game, going into halftime ahead 17-12. However, Kaluđerović acknowledged the challenges they faced in the final minutes. “We controlled the game until the 45-minute mark, but psychological pressure can shift the momentum, leading to missed opportunities and defensive lapses,” he reflected. Despite the tension, the team held on for a crucial win.

Montenegro is among ten teams that secured their spots at the EHF Euro, which will take place in Serbia from 29 July to 9 August 2024. Other qualifying teams include the Czech Republic, Finland, Israel, Italy, North Macedonia, Poland, Switzerland, Slovakia, and Turkey. Additionally, established handball nations like Croatia, Denmark, Spain, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Portugal, Sweden, Austria, the Faroe Islands, France, Slovenia, and Norway have already qualified.

Kaluđerović emphasized the importance of competing at this level. “Competing against the best motivates us to improve. Our goal is to elevate ourselves to the elite ranks and showcase our capabilities,” he said. The coach praised the contributions of all coaches and sports workers in the youth categories, highlighting their dedication and sacrifices to nurture future talent for the senior team.

The current generation of players, born in 2008 and later, has revitalized Montenegro’s standing in European handball, particularly in the U18 category. Looking ahead, Kaluđerović expressed a desire to not only secure a spot in the championship but also to compete vigorously. “While preserving our place in the elite tier is crucial, we aim to enhance our game, analyze our opponents, and strive for greater achievements,” he concluded.