Montenegro Handball Team Prepares for Euro 2024 with Belgium Matches

Montenegro’s national handball team is gearing up for its eighth appearance at the European Championship, beginning this January. The team will face Belgium in two friendly matches this week at Verde Hall, aiming to refine their strategies ahead of the tournament. The first match will take place on January 5, 2024, followed by a second game on January 6.

Miloš Božović, a veteran player and member of the team that achieved Montenegro’s best performance at a major tournament by finishing 11th in 2022, emphasized the importance of these fixtures. “We take this EHF week seriously. We must use these training sessions and upcoming matches to test the strategies we plan to employ at the championship,” he stated. The tournament will officially kick off for Montenegro on January 16, 2024, providing the team with additional time to prepare compared to previous competitions.

Montenegro will compete in a challenging group alongside Slovenia, the Faroe Islands, and Switzerland. Božović noted the unpredictability of the group, saying, “We can win against anyone, but we can also lose to anyone. The focus is on us and how we enter the matches both mentally and tactically. The games against Belgium will aid us on that path.”

The team’s recent history has led to increased expectations. “After all these years, we cannot ignore our role as favorites in certain matches or pretend we do not know what is happening. Our primary goal is to advance from the group stage; then we will discuss other objectives,” Božović added. He remains optimistic that the team can replicate or even surpass their prior success in Hungary.

In the squad, Milorad Bakić, at just over 30 years old, is considered one of the senior players. He expressed his gratitude to the coach for recognizing his potential and stated, “I am very satisfied and thrilled to be here. I had a challenging injury, but everything has resolved well.” Bakić plays for the Swedish club Eskilstuna Guif and feels physically prepared for the upcoming challenges.

Bakić’s brother, Aleksandar Bakić, also a member of the national team, echoed his sentiments regarding the Belgium matches. “Belgium should not be underestimated. We watched them against Italy when they were our potential opponents in the World Championship playoffs. Even though these are friendly matches, we must enter fully concentrated,” he commented. He is determined to help the team achieve three victories in the European Championship, reinforcing their capability to compete against any opponent.

Reflecting on his debut for the senior national team, Milorad Bakić recalled his first matches against Georgia, where the team won both friendlies. “I have high expectations for myself and have been eagerly anticipating these training sessions and games,” he concluded.

These upcoming matches against Belgium will not only serve as a preparation phase for Montenegro but also as an opportunity to build team chemistry ahead of a crucial championship. The players are dedicated to making their mark and advancing further in the tournament, with all eyes on the upcoming challenges.