North Macedonia men's national handball team

The Macedonian national handball team is the national handball team of North Macedonia. The team is run by the Macedonian Handball Federation, the governing body of handball in North Macedonia. Prior to joining the International Handball Federation in 1991 as an independent country, North Macedonia was represented within the Yugoslavia men's national handball team.

History

First Handball teams in Macedonia emerged in the second half of the 1940s. Soon Macedonian Handball federation started to organize national championships in big handball −11 players on a soccer field size. By the '60s it was transformed into small handball or indoor handball. Macedonian champions were qualified for federal Yugoslav Championship instead of European cup competitions. The best Macedonian players played for the Federal team of Yugoslavia. In the time of the federation, 6 of the constitutional republics were sending one federal team to compete at the Olympics and World cup. Macedonia was participating within the federal team from 1950 till 1991. After the split of the federation, as a single republic from 1992 till 1994 Macedonia did not manage to enter the qualifications for EC, WC and OG. From 1995 Macedonia participates as a single Republic to all qualifications and Championship tournaments.

During the period 1958 till 1991 Macedonia was within the Federation of SFRJ. It was represented internationally within the team Yugoslavia as part of the Federation of 6 Republics. Macedonia is not a successor of the results of team Yugoslavia it was just part of it. During that time was present at the 5 Olympics and 10 World cup tournaments within the successful team Yugoslavia. After the split Macedonian team started to compete representing the single independent Republic. At the 1992 Olympics Yugoslavia team was banned to participate. At the World cup 1993 only teams from the Olympics qualified so the Macedonian team did not have a chance to qualify. For the first European Championship 1994 team Macedonia did not enter the qualifications. For the World cup 1995 only teams from EURO 1994 qualified so again team Macedonian did not get a chance to participate. Since EURO 1996 team Macedonia is regular in the qualifications. It entered 6 European Championships first one in 1998 then 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2020. Most successful was the 2012 when they've finished 5th. For the World Cup's they entered 7 times – 1999, 2009, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2021. The most successful was in 2015 when they finished 9th. For the Olympic tournament qualifications they have entered two times – 2012 finishing 4th and 2016 finishing 3rd .They did not manage to finish in the first two spots and have not qualified.

Home ground

The BTSC – Boris Trajkovski Sports Center mk, Спортски центар Борис Трајковски, Skopje is a multi-functional indoor sports arena. It is located in the Karpoš Municipality of Skopje, Macedonia. It is named after the former president, Boris Trajkovski. Its capacity is 10,000 .There is an Olympic size Swimming Pool and 5 Star Hotel Alexander Palace within the complex. Additional Water Land Fun Park and Ice Skating Rink next to it.

The arena is a home ground of the Macedonian handball team (men and women). The venue also contains four restaurants and a sports bar. It was one of two venues for the 2008 European Women's Handball Championship and will be used again for the 2022 European Women's Handball Championship for the preliminary and main round.

Colors

National kit colors are colors of the flag which are also spread on the presidential shield. Noble blood red and golden yellow sun devine "ILI".

File:Flag of North Macedonia.svg
File:Coat of arms of the President of North Macedonia.svg

Competitive record

Olympic Games

World Championship

European Championship

Mediterranean Games

Macedonian fans

Macedonia has great support at their matches from their fans. There is always a great number of fans following the national team on every World Cup or EURO championship they attend. Cheerful friendly fans create a great atmosphere at every game.

File:Arena Beograd.jpg, EHF EURO 2012.


File:Mascot Tasa with Macedonian fan.JPG, Macedonian fan
File:Serbian and Macedonian fans.JPG, Macedonian fans at EHF EURO 2012
File:Arena navijanje.ogv, Macedonian fans at EHF EURO 2012
File:Makedonski navijači.ogv, Macedonian fans Atmosphere

Team

Current squad

Players called up for the 2022 European Men's Handball Championship.

Head coach: Kiril Lazarov

Recent call ups

These are players that have also received a call.

*^INJ = Injured
*^PRE = Called up in a preliminary squad for the most recent games
*^COV = Withdrew due to COVID-19

Notable players

*Stevče Aluševski
* Petar Angelov
* Branislav Angelovski
* Vančo Dimovski
* Goran Gjorgonoski
* Aco Jonovski
*Goran Kuzmanoski
*Lazo Majnov
*Pepi Manaskov
*Vlatko Mitkov
* Naumče Mojsovski
*Radoslav Stojanović
* Vladimir Temelkov
*Renato Vugrinec

Statistics

Most appearances

Top scorers

Record against other teams

''As of 3 May 2021''

References

External links

*
IHF profile

{{DEFAULTSORT:North Macedonia National Handball Team
Men's national handball teams
Handball in North Macedonia
Handball
Articles containing video clips