North Macedonia (MKD)

North Macedonia, one of the most inexperienced teams at the EHF EURO 2022, will aim to progress to the main round for the first time since 2008. But with key players injured and plenty of issues in the squad, they have a mountain to climb. The draw has not been kind for North Macedonia, who await reigning Olympic champions France, Netherlands and Romania in group C.

The EHF EURO is an unforgiving tournament. Indeed, if you lose your first three games, you are out. This happened to North Macedonia when they failed to secure a win in the preliminary round at the EHF EURO 2012.

The situation is a bit different now, with their fans ready to take on any challenge and support their team – just as they do at every major tournament. The fiery atmosphere in the Boris Trajkovski Arena in Skopje will pump up the co-hosts, but is it enough?

Only a few of North Macedonia’s players have featured in the EHF Champions League, EHF European League or the EHF European Cup – and they will be facing more experienced sides in the preliminary round. Experience goes a long way in this type of tournament. Back at the EHF EURO for the first time in 10 years, North Macedonia will surely see this tournament as a big challenge.

In late September, North Macedonia lost two friendly matches against Norway’s B team in Skopje. The second loss, a 37:27 defeat, left coach Ljubomir Savevski scratching his head only one month before the start of the tournament.

While not everything has worked according to plan in the build-up, the final tournament will be a different situation for the team, with added pressure and fans expecting results from the players. North Macedonia’s lack of experience could be decisive, but as lessons have been learnt, they can now only focus on the future and the task at hand.