As much as everything looked gloomy after the disaster from Italy, the arrival of one of the biggest handball names and the desire of the "lions" to enjoy victories again just half a year later changed everything.
Montenegrin handball players are at a new beginning, with a new coach Didier Dinar and with a clear goal - to take a decisive step towards returning to the big stage already after two qualifying matches.
It's time for the "lions", it's time for Dinar - our national team will welcome Finland at the beginning of the road to the 18 European Championship, while four days later they will play away against Slovakia.
Hungary is in the same group, two teams go directly to the European Championship, plus the four best third-placed teams from the eight qualifying groups.
- If we achieve a positive result in both games, we will already be in the European Championship with one foot - said goalkeeper Nebojša Simić.
One of the youngest "lions" thinks similarly. Radojica Čepić.
- We are motivated enough to be able to correct things, because we have a chance to fight for a new championship - said our defender.
"Delete" Italy
After several related performances at major competitions, the "lions" did not look like themselves in the May play-off for the World Cup against Italy.
- It was very difficult for me after those two defeats, it took me a long time to recover. However, as new matches start, I look forward and have new energy - as if I'm eager to prove myself again - Simić admits.
The great goalkeeper of Melzungen sees an additional motive in the fans, who have always had a special relationship with the Montenegrin handball players.
- We haven't lost their respect, and because of the atmosphere they gave us against Italy, we have a huge debt that we have to start repaying immediately and make them happy with another victory. When you lose a match, and someone sings with you and cheers you on, it's a really emotional moment. Because of this, I feel a greater responsibility and a greater desire for everything to start slowly, to return and for us all to rejoice together - stressed Simić.
Čepić also remembered the matches with the "Azures".
- It was difficult for us, it is not easy to lose such games and be without a chance to go to the championship. Now we are here to try to achieve a new success, to go to a new big competition.
Finland is a complete unknown
On Monday, Didije Dinar worked with the "lions" for the first time, and just two days later he will make his debut - against Finland, a team that is not the top of European handball, but neither was Italy.
- Finland is a completely unknown national team to me, and that's something that scares me a little at the moment. I immediately asked for videos in order to get ready, I don't want any mistakes, but we want to record two victories in two games. All players must take greater responsibility and help the coach, the coaching staff and their colleagues to make these two results positive. That's the only thing we're interested in - says Simić.
Čepić does not hide that he does not know anyone from today's rival.
- I watched several matches and saw that they have some good players and that they will not be an easy opponent at all.
For a guy who can play centre-back and left-back, time with the new coach is crucial.
- I think we have enough of it to create a system where everyone knows their job and what they should do. We are all grown up enough and we can get ready for that match - concluded Čepić.
The EHF Euro in January 2026 will be organized by Denmark, Sweden and Norway.
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Simić: As a goalkeeper, I must be happy about the arrival of Dinar
Nebojša Simić is a symbol of the Montenegrin defense, a man whose interventions often decided games, and now he will collaborate with one of the best defenders of all time.
- As someone who led perhaps the best defense of all time, the arrival of Dinar is certainly a big plus. He knows how the defense works, his movements... It's normal for a goalkeeper like me to be happy about that. I hope that we will arrange the dice, either offensively or defensively, and that in January 2026 we will return to the big stage. That would be a success for us and for the coach, a nice start to a long-term work in the national team", emphasized Simić.
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