Who are the possible rivals of the "lions" in the play-off for the WC - the most difficult Serbia, the easiest quartet from the pre-qualifications

Montenegrin handball players won 14th place at the EHF Euro in Germany and earned the right to have an easier opponent in the fight for qualification to the championship hosted by Norway, Denmark and Croatia

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Possible, but also unwanted new duels in the barrage. Miloš Vujović at the match with Serbia, Photo: Reuters/Angelika Warmuth

Disclaimer: The translations are mostly done through AI translator and might not be 100% accurate.

17.01.2024. 15:49h

With the victory over Serbia, Nemanja Grbović's goal in the last second in 30:29, Montenegrin handball players took a very important step towards the World Championship in Norway, Denmark and Croatia.

The "lions" overtook the "eagles" in the 3rd position of group C and finished the European Championship in 14th place, which also earned them a place in the 1st hat before the playoff for the World Cup.

Vlad Šola's team as the seed will be in a much more favorable situation, because if it had remained tied, it could have fought with some of the greats of world handball for a place at the world championship.

In addition to the three hosts, as well as the finalists of the previous WC France, two more selections from the EHF Euro in Germany will win a direct visa for that competition.

The remaining six participants of the main stage will be in the 1st hat, together with Montenegro, Spain, Czech Republic, Poland and North Macedonia.

In the 2nd hat, a potential "mine" for everyone, including the "lions", will be Serbia, which after a disappointing performance in Munich could change its coach, although Toni Gjerona has a contract until June.

A duel with the ever-improving selection of the Faroe Islands, Greece and possibly Switzerland could also be dangerous.

Against all other rivals, Mirko Radović and friends would be absolute favorites.

Of the teams that took part in the EHF Euro, Georgia, Romania and Bosnia and Herzegovina are also in the 2nd hat, and four more winners of the pre-qualifications will join.

In direct duels in March, it will be decided by Belgium - Italy, Estonia - Ukraine, Finland - Lithuania and Slovakia with the winner of the double match Israel - Luxembourg, which was not played in the scheduled time at the beginning of November due to the war in the Gaza Strip.

The draw for the play-off is on January 27 in Cologne, the day before the final of the European Championship, and the matches will be played on May 8 or 9, or 11 or 12.