Montenegro’s Handball Team Secures Spot at Euro 2024 with Key Wins

Montenegro’s handball team has successfully qualified for the upcoming EHF Euro 2024 following a series of crucial matches in Slovakia. Despite a challenging start, the team demonstrated resilience, bouncing back to secure their place in the tournament, which will take place from July 29 to August 9, 2024, in Serbia.

The qualification journey began on a difficult note for the Montenegrin squad. In their opening match against the hosts, Slovakia, Montenegro suffered a heavy defeat with a scoreline of 41-22. Head coach Vuk Kaluđerović reflected on the match, noting that the team entered with high hopes but struggled significantly. “We had a catastrophic start, filled with technical mistakes and missed opportunities,” Kaluđerović stated. He explained how the Slovakian team, buoyed by home support, took full advantage of Montenegro’s faltering confidence and concentration.

However, the team quickly regrouped. Just one day after the loss to Slovakia, Montenegro faced Ukraine and secured a vital 31-26 victory. Kaluđerović emphasized the importance of maintaining calm and focus during the tournament, stating, “We knew that everyone can have a bad day, and we immediately turned our attention to Ukraine.” This victory not only kept Montenegro in contention for a qualifying spot but also reinvigorated the team’s morale.

The momentum continued as Montenegro edged past the Netherlands in a tightly contested match, winning by just one goal, 24-23. Kaluđerović acknowledged the challenges faced during the game, particularly in the closing minutes when the team had to manage the risk of player exclusions. “We controlled the game for most of the time, but psychological pressure can shift even in senior competitions,” he explained.

Montenegro’s qualification for the EHF Euro 2024 is a significant achievement, with ten teams securing their spots through five qualifying tournaments. Other confirmed participants include the Czech Republic, Finland, Israel, Italy, North Macedonia, Poland, Switzerland, Slovakia, and Turkey. In addition to the host nation Serbia, earlier qualifiers also feature strong teams from Croatia, Denmark, Spain, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Portugal, Sweden, Austria, the Faroe Islands, France, Slovenia, and Norway.

Kaluđerović expressed the ambition of the Montenegrin handball community to strive for excellence. “In every sport, competing against the best pushes you to improve. Our goal is to maintain our position in the elite ranks and prove ourselves,” he stated. He acknowledged the contributions of coaches and sports personnel working with younger players, which has been essential in developing talent for the senior national team.

The current generation of players, particularly those born in 2008 and later, has played a pivotal role in returning Montenegro to the top tier of European handball in the U18 category. As the team prepares for the European Championship, Kaluđerović aims for more than just survival in the elite ranks. “While we want to secure our place, we also aim to compete vigorously against all teams. We will analyze our rivals and seek to elevate our game to achieve greater success,” he concluded.

As Montenegro embarks on this exciting chapter in European handball, fans will be watching closely to see how the “Lions” perform on the continental stage.