Lovćen Handball Team Eliminated from EHF Cup After Loss in Greece

The handball team of Lovćen has concluded its journey in the EHF European Cup after suffering a significant defeat in their second-round match against Drama 1986. Following a home victory of 32:27, the Montenegrin champions fell to Drama in Greece with a final score of 31:23 on March 15, 2024.

The match began competitively, with both teams equal after the first 18 minutes. However, Drama shifted the momentum dramatically with a four-goal run, taking a commanding lead at 10:6. From that point onward, the home team maintained control throughout the game. By halftime, the score stood at 12:8, a result that would have seen Lovćen advance to the next round had it held.

As the second half unfolded, Drama extended its lead to a remarkable plus seven at 17:10 just two minutes into the period. Lovćen struggled to mount a comeback, ultimately succumbing to a confident performance from Drama, a team that had only won once in its previous five matches in the Greek championship.

Key players shone during the game, with Drama’s Konstantinos Kocionis leading the charge by scoring 11 goals. On the Lovćen side, Milan Popović was the standout performer, contributing six goals to his team’s efforts.

The match took place at the Krahtidis Hall in Drama, Greece, in front of an audience of 1,200 fans. The officiating team consisted of referees D. Manea and R. Iliesku from Romania. The game also included a total of 10 minutes of exclusions for Lovćen compared to eight for Drama.

With this defeat, Lovćen’s aspirations for a deeper run in the EHF European Cup have come to an end. The team will now focus on regrouping and preparing for future challenges in upcoming domestic competitions.