At a time when every point is crucial, the men’s handball team of Bosnia and Herzegovina faces a key challenge on the road to the 2026 European Championship. Sarajevo’s Skenderija will become the arena of the decisive battle against the world’s handball superpower – Iceland. With their backs against the wall and without several key players, the “dragons” have no right to make a mistake if they want to achieve their European dream. In front of the full stands of the home field, a handball spectacle is being prepared in which heart and dedication will have to make up for all shortcomings.
The men’s handball team of Bosnia and Herzegovina will play the 5th round of the qualifications for the 2026 European Championship against the Icelandic selection tomorrow in Sarajevo’s Skenderija, in a match that will largely determine their chances of qualifying for the big event.
The BiH national team is in a situation where victories in the last two rounds of the qualifications are necessary to realize their dream of qualifying for the European Championship. They currently occupy third place in the group with one win and three losses, sharing the same performance with last-placed Greece. Iceland confidently leads the group with maximum performance, while Georgia is in second position with two wins and two losses.
The team led by coach Damir Doborac faces an additional challenge, as they will have to play without several key players. Injuries have eliminated Marko Panić, Benjamin Burić and Marko Majstorović from the squad for the upcoming matches. However, the BiH national team has been preparing in Sarajevo since yesterday for the match against one of the strongest handball teams in the world.
Senjamin Burić, one of the prominent BiH handball players, believes that despite securing first place in the group, Iceland will come to Sarajevo with maximum motivation for another victory, but emphasizes that the home players are ready to respond to the challenge.
“Every professional wants to win when they come to a game, so I expect the same from Iceland. Let them come 100 percent ready, and we will raise our readiness to 110 percent. I expect tough, strong and good tactics tomorrow from both sides. Our chance is to stop their transition, because they play really fast, modern handball,” said Burić, adding that the BiH team plays best when everyone writes them off.
Mislav Grgić emphasizes the quality of the Icelandic national team, but believes in domestic advantages.
“Iceland is one of the best national teams in the world, for which world-class players play. However, we are playing at home and I think we have our chances. We have to stop their one-on-one game, where they are the best in the world, and in the six-on-six game we certainly have our opportunities. We must forget the defeats against Georgia, the situation is difficult, but we will move on,” said Grgić, stressing that the pressure before such matches is positive because it motivates the players to give their best.
Domagoj Alilović believes that the upcoming match against Iceland is the most important in these qualifications, and that only maximum sacrifice can bring victory.
“It is certainly one of the most important matches, one of the most difficult. We all know what kind of team they are. They have the best European players who play a good transition and one-on-one game. It will be difficult to stop them, but I believe that in front of a full house we can achieve it. We will give 150 percent of ourselves and that is the only way,” said Alilović and added that the national team will miss injured players due to their great experience.
Milan Vukšić also emphasizes the need for a “perfect match” against a favored opponent.
“We have to play perfectly. Some things have to match, and we have to play at a high level, we respect the tasks that the selector sets for us, and I think that’s the only way we have a chance against Iceland,” said Vukšić.
The match between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iceland is scheduled for Wednesday at KSC Skenderija in Sarajevo, starting at 20:00. Four days later, BH. the handball team is expecting a visit to Greece, which will be the last match of the qualification cycle.
According to the qualification system, the first and second-placed teams from each of the eight qualification groups, as well as the four best third-placed teams, will qualify for the European Championship. This format leaves the BiH national team hopeful that even third place could be enough to qualify, if they achieve the necessary victories in the remaining two rounds.
Experts estimate that the key to BiH’s eventual success will be in disciplined defense and patient offense, because the Icelandic style of play, based on quick transition and individual qualities, represents a huge challenge for any national team. The home crowd will be an additional player that could bring the advantage in favor of the “dragons”.
As the clock inexorably approaches the start of this crucial handball duel, the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team is preparing for its “match of the season”. Support from the packed stands of Skenderija could be that additional tailwind that will turn the impossible into possible. Tomorrow night, only a perfect game and a fighting spirit “until the last drop of sweat” can open the doors of the European handball society for BiH handball players. All roads to the 2026 European Championship lead through Sarajevo – it’s time to dance the handball dance of a lifetime, Fena news agency writes.
