For many years, the M:tel “Morača” hall stood as an unassailable fortress, even against handball powerhouses like Denmark, Sweden, or Germany. However, it seems to have recently become vulnerable.

Victories have been secured in our grandest hall by Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Italy. Yet, the Montenegrin handball players will get a chance to start reclaiming the invincibility of “Morača” tomorrow (Wednesday, at 6 PM) when they face Hungary in another exciting derby.

The “Lions” and the Hungarians will clash in a qualifier for the 2026 European Championship.

“We hope the Morača will be packed to capacity, and that after such a long time, we will finally celebrate a victory in our largest hall. I ask the audience to support us in numbers, and we promise to fight hard on the field,” said captain Mirko Radović.

Not much needs to be said about Hungary, as they recently came close to reaching the semi-finals of the World Cup.

“They’re an excellent opponent. We had the chance to observe them during the World Cup. They are an outstanding team, well-coached with top players from leading leagues—we look forward to competing against them in front of our fans,” Radović emphasized.

The “Lions” gathered last night, and will only have today for training.

“There’s a brief window to prepare for two challenging matches against a formidable national team, so how we open the game will be crucial. Additionally, how we handle their defenders, who excel in one-on-one situations, is vital, along with their exceptional pivots. There will be plenty of strategic maneuvering on the court, and I hope we display great determination and fight for our national team,” he added.

An important beginning is crucial, but…

“I hope we remain competitive until the final moments of the match. If we find ourselves in a tight finish in front of our supporters, we might gain an edge. I recognize we’re up against an extraordinary team, there will be tactical battles, and fierce competition. May the best team win, and we will give it our all.”

The captain addressed the fans once more.

“We constantly feel a sense of obligation towards them, but we are also honored to wear the Montenegrin coat of arms, which brings its own pressure. Yet, this honor serves as an additional motivation for us. We’ve tasted victory on our home ground during these qualifiers, and I expect a similar outcome this time around. I hope we can celebrate together after the match,” Radović concluded.

Following the match in “Morača,” the same teams will meet again four days later in Tatabanja—after two rounds, both Montenegro and Hungary boast perfect records in Group 2.

Furthermore, admission to the largest hall in Montenegro is free.

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