The ticket is secured for January in Scandinavia for the tenth major competition, or the eighth European Championship, since the restoration of independence, with the celebration planned for Sunday in Bar.

With a victory against Finland in Vantaa (33:28) before the qualification round concluded, Montenegrin handball players have earned their spot in the seventh consecutive continental championship, set to celebrate against Slovakia in “Topolica”.

“Now we can confidently say that we are satisfied, happy, and fulfilled with our qualification for the European Championship. It turned out that this qualifying group wasn’t a challenge for us—we handled everything with ease, from the first match to this one in Finland,” stated Stevan Vujović, the “Lions” defender.

The team led by Didier Dinar navigated the new cycle with remarkable precision, notably improving with each game. They initially defeated Finland 29:28 in Podgorica during the qualifiers, and later achieved a significant nine-goal lead in Vantaa.

“In comparison to our first match against Finland, this one was much less challenging. The boys exhibited experience and maturity in handling an away game. Despite missing key injured players, we still have considerable reserves,” Vujović elaborated.

Having secured two victories over Finland, along with one win in Slovakia and a draw and loss to Hungary, Didier Dinar’s squad looks forward to concluding a successful cycle on Sunday at 18:00 on the Adriatic coast. One of the more seasoned members of the team eagerly anticipates strong support from the “Topolica” stands.

“The match will be held in Bar, marking a departure from our recent games in Podgorica. Performing in front of the Bar audience will be an exciting opportunity for us. We anticipate a large turnout cheering us on as we celebrate our qualification for the championship together,” Vujović added.

Montenegro first appeared at the European Championships in 2008 in Norway. After missing two subsequent editions, it has been a regular participant in continental championships since 2014.

The Lions’ best results came three years ago in Hungary and Slovakia, finishing in 11th place. In addition to eight appearances at the EHF Euro, they have also competed in the World Championships twice—in 2013 and 2023.

The upcoming European Championship is scheduled for January in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

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