This morning, Montenegro’s men’s handball team welcomed a new coach – the renowned French player, Didier Dinar.

Dinar takes over from Vlada Šola, who stepped down from his position in May following the team’s exit to Italy in the World Cup playoffs.

Dinar becomes the tenth head coach for Montenegro since the country regained independence. In an interview on the Association’s website, he expressed that this appointment is a significant honor, with a clear objective: securing a spot in the 2026 European Championship.

“I have always enjoyed a strong relationship with the Handball Association of Montenegro, particularly with president Petr Kapisod. We competed as players, and now we join forces, with him as president and me as coach. Moreover, I have maintained excellent rapport with former selectors, enabling me to closely monitor Montenegro’s performance. Last year, I had the privilege of hosting the Montenegrin national team at a training camp in Guadalupe, which strengthened our connection and enhanced our professional collaboration,” Dinar shared in the interview.

Dinar’s coaching debut will be on November 6 against Finland in Podgorica, marking the beginning of the EHF Euro 2026 qualifiers.

“Being appointed head coach of Montenegro is a tremendous honor for me. Coaching at the international level and facing high-stakes matches provides a unique opportunity and experience. The value of these moments lies in the relationships formed with players and the exchanges with other coaches. These interactions deepen our understanding of game dynamics and offer invaluable insights.”

Dinar also discussed the caliber of players within the Montenegro squad.

“Montenegro boasts a wealth of talented players, many of whom compete in top European leagues. This close access to elite talent necessitates teamwork between the coaching staff and the Federation to make informed decisions. Our aim is to assemble the most competitive team possible. At the international level, time is of the essence, and the expectations are considerable, so being pragmatic in our approach to player utilization is essential,” he remarked.

Although Montenegro will not participate in the upcoming Handball World Cup, Dinar emphasized the team’s focus on qualifying for the 2026 European Championship.

“Our aim is clear – to qualify for the European Championship in 2026, especially after missing out on the World Championship next year. The Handball Association of Montenegro recognizes the importance of returning to the international arena and expects us to strive towards that objective. The relationships fostered through collaboration and mutual effort will be crucial in strengthening the team. With commitment, hard work, and shared understanding, we will put in all efforts to elevate the Montenegrin team to the highest level and meet the expectations of the Association.”

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