The Montenegrin handball team will compete against Slovakia tomorrow (17) in Košice during the second round of the second qualifying group for the European Championship.

In their opening match of the qualification, Montenegro achieved a narrow victory over Finland, winning 29:28, while Slovakia suffered a loss to Hungary with a score of 37:32 in Djer.

“The support from the fans against Finland was crucial. The matchup against Slovakia will be more challenging. We’re missing two key players. The team has a younger lineup now, and we are hopeful for contributions from the younger players. Slovakia plays a fast-paced game, relying heavily on one-on-one situations. There are no easy opponents; everyone is skilled in handball. The stakes are incredibly high—if we win, we edge closer to qualifying for the European Championship. We’re committed to giving our all to secure the win and return to Montenegro with two points,” said Miodrag Ćorsović.

Coach Didija Dinar will be without Vuk Borozan, who is sidelined due to an injury, and Vuk Lazović, who will not be part of the lineup for personal reasons.

Dinar has selected Mihail Šćekić and Milorad Bakić to replace the absent players.

“The Slovaks will be backed by a home crowd. After losing their first game, they have a lot to prove in front of their fans. I believe we have adequately prepared for this match. We have analyzed their system, and I hope we can counter their style effectively. They present a different challenge compared to Finland—they play quickly, penetrate frequently, and maintain a fast pace throughout the game. If we adhere to our game plan, we should be in a good position,” Stevan Vujović stated.

A win in Košice would bring Montenegro closer to qualifying for the European Championships for the eighth time.

“We have secured two points already, but each national team performs differently at home, making it tough to win. I am optimistic that we can prevail through our determination over the full 60 minutes,” Vujović added.

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