From a dismal spring to an autumn filled with renewed hope—Montenegrin handball players have endured a lot over the last six months. When it was time to rise again, they demonstrated just why they deserve the support and cheers from their fans following the April debacle.

After one of the most significant defeats in their history and being eliminated by Italy in the World Cup play-offs, the team bounced back with impressive victories. Their wins over Finland (29:28) and Slovakia (38:35) have opened wide the doors to the European Championship.

“I am pleased, and I believe the entire team and coaching staff feels the same,” Branko Vujović shared with “Vijesti” upon his arrival in Bucharest after the matches in Podgorica and Košice.

The right back of the “lions,” now under the watchful eye of new coach Didier Dinar, has proven himself to be one of the leaders in our national team. He is optimistic due to the events of the past few months.

“That’s correct. I’m particularly aware of this because we’ve experienced a downturn recently—more psychologically than in terms of performance. We lacked a bit of self-confidence, which is still somewhat diminished, but I believe we’re starting to overcome the crisis, and things will continue to improve. Victories will bring that,” the Dinamo Bucharest handball player emphasized, adding:

“These are the reasons I am happy, mainly due to the four points, as we all desire to qualify for the European Championship.”

Perhaps there was subconscious doubt

Finland and Slovakia may not be powerhouses, but neither was Italy. Did a hint of fear or doubt linger before the EHF Euro qualifiers?

“We didn’t explicitly discuss it among ourselves, but there was undeniably something—at least subconsciously—because we were uncertain of our position and whether we’d truly moved past our challenges.”

With one of the most notable defenders in handball history joining, Montenegro is expected to be defensively formidable, yet the initial two matches (particularly the second) showcased an explosive and dynamic offense.

“I believe both our attack and defense performed well, considering it’s challenging to implement everything within a few days—new strategies, ideas, and systems,” Vujović noted.

The subsequent qualifiers won’t take place until March (two matchups against Hungary), giving Dinar ample time to communicate his strategies to the players without the pressure of immediate competition for the European Championship.

“Everything felt new, and there was no time for practice or gameplay. However, I believe we’ve adapted a lot in a short period, although there’s still room for enhancement, and I hope things will steadily improve,” he concluded.

Čepić’s performance was outstanding

The defenders of Montenegro showcased their potential strength for the national team once again.

“We executed our plays correctly, and what particularly pleased me was that we only took risks when we had a chance. We didn’t force plays unnecessarily,” Vujović remarked.

He highlighted a standout teammate.

“Radojica Čepić was phenomenal in these two games—not just in scoring but also in how he contributed to the team’s play. He was invaluable to us,” Vujović emphasized.

Italy remained a crucial topic of conversation; after Montenegro’s initial losses in these qualifiers, they went on to challenge Spain in Valencia (losing 31:30) and then defeated Serbia in Fazana (31:30).

“While I believe Serbia has a much stronger team, I anticipated this result might occur due to teams underestimating Italy, much like we did. This selection shouldn’t be taken lightly, especially when playing at home. They capitalize on that perfectly, so credit goes to them,” Vujović noted.

Champions League brings a unique exhilaration

Branko Vujović joined Dinamo Bucharest this summer from Hanover, and just a few months into his tenure in Romania’s capital, he is convinced he made the right choice.

“I am truly enjoying my time in Bucharest, especially because I’m back in the Champions League—a feeling that is special for every player,” shared the Lions defender, adding:

“Everything is functioning well at the club. The team is relatively new, filled with young talent, and we’re performing admirably. We currently sit third in the group, with just losses to Paris Saint-Germain and Vesprem… There are plenty of reasons for everyone to celebrate.”

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