Montenegrin handball players will be in the group with Hungary, Slovakia and Finland in the qualification for the 2026 European Championship, it was decided at today's draw.
Our selection was in the second hat, together with Austria, Serbia, Poland, the Czech Republic, North Macedonia, the Faroe Islands and Greece.
"We got a good group and opponents to match. Hungary is undoubtedly the main rival and a selection that we know very well, because we played at the last European Championship in January. I am sure that they can be played away from home, especially on our field. I don't know the Slovaks very well, but based on their performances in recent years, I can say that they are a rival who knows how to be difficult if they are underestimated", said coach Vlado Šola.
Two national teams from eight groups and four best third-placed teams will qualify for the European Championship.
"From the last hat, we got Finland and that's an opponent we shouldn't have any problems against. However, it is clear that we have to be maximally focused and take seriously all the rivals in the group. The most important thing is that we are complete and ready for all matches. If that happens, then achieving the goal and qualifying for the European Championship will not be in question. And for us, the most important thing is that every year we participate in big competitions", said Šola.
Qualification starts on November 7, and the hosts of the Euros are Denmark, Sweden and Norway.
Those three selections, as well as the current champion France, do not participate in the qualifications.
Group 1: Slovenia, North Macedonia, Lithuania, Estonia;
Group 2: Hungary, Montenegro, Slovakia, Finland;
Group 3: Iceland, Greece, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia;
Group 4: Spain, Serbia, Italy, Latvia;
Group 5: Croatia, Czech Republic, Belgium, Luxembourg;
Group 6: Netherlands, Faroe Islands, Ukraine, Kosovo;
Group 7: Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Turkey;
Group 8: Portugal, Poland, Romania, Israel.
Bonus video:
