Lovćen Handball Team Eliminated from EHF European Cup in Greece

The handball team Lovćen from Montenegro has been eliminated from the EHF European Cup after a disappointing performance in the second round against Drama 1986 in Greece. Following a home victory of 32:27, Lovćen lost the return match 31:23, resulting in a cumulative score that sealed their fate.

The match, held on March 15, 2024, began competitively, with both teams tied for the first 18 minutes. However, Drama 1986 took control with a decisive run, scoring four unanswered goals to lead 10:6. By halftime, Drama had extended its lead to 12:8, putting Lovćen in a challenging position.

In the second half, Drama maintained its momentum, quickly pushing the score to 17:10 just two minutes in. Lovćen struggled to recover from this setback, ultimately succumbing to a defeat against a team that had managed only one win in the Greek league prior to this match.

Konstadinos Kocionis was the standout player for Drama, netting an impressive 11 goals. For Lovćen, Milan Popović was the top scorer with six goals, but it was not enough to overturn the match’s outcome.

The game took place at the “Krahtidis” hall, attended by approximately 1,200 spectators. The officiating team included referees D. Manea and R. Iliesku from Romania. Both teams faced disciplinary actions, with Drama receiving 8 minutes of exclusions compared to Lovćen’s 10 minutes.

The loss marks an early exit for Lovćen in this prestigious European competition, highlighting the challenges faced by teams from smaller leagues in competing at higher levels. As the handball season progresses, Lovćen will look to regroup and focus on their domestic league performance moving forward.