Montenegro’s Handball Team Secures Euro Championship Spot

Montenegro’s handball team has qualified for the upcoming European Championship, marking a significant achievement for the squad. Coach Vuk Kaluđerović expressed pride in this accomplishment, especially after overcoming a challenging start in the qualification tournament held in the Slovak Republic. Initially, the team faced a heavy defeat against the host nation, losing 41-22 in their opening match.

Reflecting on the loss, Kaluđerović stated, “We entered the match against the host with great desire, but we opened catastrophically. Our eagerness led to a series of technical errors and missed opportunities.” The Slovak team capitalized on Montenegro’s mistakes, leading to a significant drop in morale for the visiting squad. The coach noted that after just 15 minutes, the match seemed lost, with the final score showcasing a nearly 20-goal difference.

However, Montenegro quickly regrouped in subsequent matches. Just a day after the heavy defeat, players Nemanja Batuta, Danilo Gutić, and Miloš Tujković led the team to a hard-fought victory over Ukraine, winning 31-26. Kaluđerović emphasized the importance of maintaining composure: “We knew this was a tournament and that any team could have a bad day, as we did against Slovakia. We avoided raising panic and focused on the next match.”

The momentum continued as Montenegro secured another win against the Netherlands, narrowly clinching the match 24-23. Kaluđerović noted, “We led 17-12 at halftime, but we faced challenges in the final 15 minutes of the game.” He admitted to taking risks by limiting player rotations, particularly to avoid a third exclusion for Gutić. Despite the pressure, Montenegro managed to control the match’s tempo and finished strong.

Montenegro is among ten teams that have qualified for the EHF Euro, scheduled to take place in Serbia from July 29 to August 9, 2024. Other confirmed teams include the Czech Republic, Finland, Israel, Italy, North Macedonia, Poland, Switzerland, Turkey, and the host nation, Serbia. Earlier qualifiers include established teams such as Croatia, Denmark, Spain, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Portugal, Sweden, Austria, Faroe Islands, France, Slovenia, and Norway.

Kaluđerović highlighted the importance of competing at this level, stating, “In every sport, when you compete against the best, it drives you to improve. We do not want to remain at a lower level. This is the goal of every federation and team—to reach elite status and prove ourselves among the best.” He acknowledged the contributions of coaches and staff in developing younger talent, emphasizing their commitment to producing new players for the senior team.

The current generation of players, born in 2008 and later, has successfully propelled Montenegro back into the highest tier of European handball in the U18 category. Looking ahead to the European Championship, Kaluđerović set clear ambitions: “I am not thinking too far ahead, but I always set high goals. I want us to compete with everyone. Teams like ours, who are on the edge, primarily aim to maintain their place among the elite. Of course, we will strive to improve our game, analyze our rivals, and see where that takes us.”