The Olympic Games in Beijing came too soon after the restoration of independence for the “lionesses” to participate, but when they first had the opportunity to join the largest sports event, they seized it without hesitation.

Following London, Rio de Janeiro, and Tokyo, Montenegrin handball players are set to begin their quest for a fourth consecutive Olympic appearance, aiming for the spotlight in Paris and striving to maintain their legacy…

Despite potential generational shifts among the “lionesses,” they understand how the Olympic qualifications work exceptionally well. This certainly contrasts with their competitors in the tournament beginning in Ulm, as Germany and Slovenia are up against Paraguay, which is generally regarded as a second or third-tier team in the world of handball.

Our female handball players will head to Bavaria with hopes of qualifying for their fourth consecutive Olympics, with Germany having hosted the pre-Olympic tournament on four occasions throughout its history.

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times Germany participated in the Olympic Games – its highest achievement was finishing fourth in both 1984 and 1992.

Specifically, Germany missed the last three Olympic editions in which Montenegro competed, with Beijing being the last time this selection was present at the Olympics, a tournament they are not fond of recalling as they finished 11th out of a total of 12 teams in the Chinese capital.

Among the teams participating in the Ulm tournament, Montenegro is the only one with an Olympic medal, having earned the unforgettable silver in London. In contrast, Germany came close to such glory in 1992 Barcelona, where they lost to a unified team of former Soviet Union players in the bronze medal match.

Besides Beijing and Catalonia, Germany also took part in the Games held in Los Angeles in 1984 and Atlanta in 1996.

During the Olympic Games in Los Angeles, they were one of the competitors that had to succumb to the skills of the future champion Yugoslavia, led by the iconic Montenegrins Zorica Pavićević, and sisters Lily and Svetlana Mugoša…

While Germany boasts an Olympic history, Slovenia, under the guidance of Dragan Adzic, strives to make its own history in Ulm, aiming to qualify for the Olympic Games for the first time.

Adžić became an Olympic icon with Montenegro in London, and he has the chance to achieve the same with Slovenia.

The pinnacle of this selection’s success occurred under Adžić’s leadership, as they secured eighth place at the European Championship they co-hosted with Montenegro and North Macedonia two years prior.

Two tickets to Paris await in the German city along the Danube – based on tradition, one should ideally land in the hands of the “lionesses”.

“Lions” Tournament Schedule in Ulm

Thursday

Montenegro – Paraguay (20:15)

Saturday

Montenegro – Germany (14:15)

Sunday

Montenegro – Slovenia (16:00)

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