The men's handball team of Montenegro got a new coach this morning - it is the famous French player, Didier Dinar.
Dinar succeeded Vlada Šola on the bench of our national team, who resigned in May, after being eliminated from Italy in the playoffs for the World Cup.
Dinar is the tenth head coach of Montenegro after the restoration of independence, and in an interview for the Association's website, he points out that being appointed head coach is a great honor, and the goal is clear - qualifying for the European Championship in 2026.
"I have always had excellent relations with the Handball Association of Montenegro, especially with the president Petr Kapisod. We were both players and opponents on the field, now we are part of the same team, he as president and I as a selector. In addition, I have maintained excellent relations with the former selectors, which gave me the opportunity to closely follow the results of Montenegro. Last year, I had the honor of inviting the Montenegrin national team to the camp in Guadalupe, which was an experience that strengthened our ties and consolidated our professional exchange," said Dinar in an interview for website of the Alliance.
Dinar will make his debut on the bench for the Lions on November 6 against Finland in Podgorica at the start of the EHF Euro 2026 qualifiers.
"Being appointed as the head coach of Montenegro is a great honor for me. Being a coach at the international level and participating in such duels, with high stakes, is always a unique opportunity and experience more. The value of these experiences lies in the closeness developed with the players and exchanges with other coaches on at this level. These interactions help us better understand the dynamics of the game and gain valuable information."
He also spoke about the playing staff of Montenegro.
"Montenegro has very high-quality players, some of whom play in the top European leagues. This proximity to high-level players requires close cooperation with the professional staff and the Federation, in order to make the best decisions. The goal is to build the most competitive team possible. At the international level, time is limited and expectations are high. Therefore, it is crucial to be pragmatic in order to find the best combinations and use the potential of the players in each position," said Dinar.
Montenegro will miss the upcoming Handball World Cup, and Dinar says that the goal is to qualify for the European Championship in 2026.
"Montenegro's goal is clear, which is to qualify for the European Championship in 2026, after failing to qualify for the World Championship next year. The Handball Association of Montenegro, aware of the importance of returning to the international stage, expects us to do everything to achieve that goal and The relationship we have built through exchange and joint work will be key to strengthening the team. With dedication, hard work and mutual understanding, we will do everything to raise the Montenegrin team to the highest level and meet the expectations of the Association."
Bonus video:
