Markovikj's debut: 29-21 against Serbia in Ohrid

The new head coach of the women's national team, Montenegrin Igor Markovikj, couldn't have asked for a better start. In the opening match of the Trophy Macedonia tournament at Ohrid's Biljanini Izvori hall, Macedonia beat Serbia 29-21, having led 12-6 at half-time. Player of the match was captain and right wing Sara Ristovska with eight goals; Ivana Gakidova was excellent at pivot, and youngsters Elena Mladenovska and Anastasija Rizoska chipped in too. Markovikj himself cooled the euphoria: the team still has a lot of work to do, and progress will show in October, when they get to train together for longer. Today at 17:30 it's Montenegro - the coach's home country, which adds extra spice to the game.

Macedonia among those interested in the men's EHF EURO 2034

Eleven national federations have sent the EHF letters of interest in hosting the 2034 European Championships, and the list for the men's tournament includes Macedonia, Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia - alongside Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Sweden and Turkey. The tournament is scheduled for 10 to 29 January 2034, and the format will include quarter-finals. The letter is only a first step: official bids are due by 1 March 2027, and the host will be chosen by the EHF Congress on 18 September 2027 in Ljubljana. Skopje was already one of the hosts of the 2022 women's European Championship, so the idea isn't baseless. But a bid isn't written with wishes - it's written with arenas, hotels and money. Has anyone in the state done the maths yet?

Final warning for Vardar: objects on the court against Nantes

The Champions League game against French side Nantes, which Vardar lost in a dramatic finish, had consequences off the court too. EHF delegates recorded banned objects being thrown onto the court by individuals in the stands, and an official warning has arrived from Vienna: the next similar incident means penalties, and serious financial ones. Vardar appealed to fans to cheer passionately but with respect for the opponent, because every bad act "tears down the image" that the club and its supporters build together. One of the most fiery crowds in Europe is a real weapon at home. A few individuals with one throw can turn it into a cost the whole club ends up paying.

Norway in Bucharest with 18 wins from 18

This weekend Bucharest hosts the first-ever final tournament of the women's EHF EURO Cup. Since 2022 Norway have won all 18 of their games in this competition and lifted the trophy twice, and in the semi-final they face Hungary - the same opponents they beat 30-22 in the EURO 2024 semi-final. In the other semi-final, on Saturday at 16:00, Denmark take on hosts Romania. The top scorer so far is three-time world player of the year Henny Reistad with 35 goals, ahead of Hungary's Katrin Klujber with 30. With ten European titles, Norway aren't coming to Bucharest just to take part. Who's going to stop them?

Ohrid host both games against Spor Toto, Alkaloid face Ferlach

In the second round of the EHF European Cup, which features 64 teams, the draw paired GRK Ohrid with Turkish side Spor Toto, and RK Alkaloid with Austria's Ferlach. The ties are played in October, but the Ohrid side made a move that could be worth a lot: they agreed with the Turks to play both games at Biljanini Izvori, on 23 and 24 October, with an 18:30 start. Instead of a trip to Turkey - two nights in front of their own fans. The winner of the tie goes through to the third round.