The Kosovo national men's handball team is the national handball team of Kosovo, representing the country in international competition. The team is governed by Handball Federation of Kosovo. The national handball team started competing in international competitions in 2014, following Kosovo's full status recognition from the International Handball Federation (IHF).
History Handball first arrived in Kosovo in the late 1940s, and by 1948 there were several registered clubs starting to compete in informal domestic competitions. By 1951, indoor handball was introduced. Two years later, in 1953, Handball Federation of Kosovo was founded, under the auspices of the Yugoslav Handball Federation. In 1979, whilst part of the former Yugoslavia, Kosovo hosted the 1979 Women's Junior World Handball Championship. Following the breakdown of Yugoslavia and subsequent independence of Kosovo as a nation, Handball Federation of Kosovo began operating independently.
In 2014, six years after Kosovo declared independence, the European Handball Federation (EHF) recognised Kosovo as a full member state and immediately the Kosovo national handball team started competing in international competition.
After a short time Kosovo would hold its first Handball Tournament the 2015 IHF Emerging Nations Championship was held in Prishtina. They impressively would win the bronze medal in their debut participation. Defeating Uruguay for third place with a result of 28–16, the first medal in their young Handball history. Kosovo would follow the same achievement in the following Tournament winning bronze again in Bulgaria 2017 beating Cyprus with 32–25 in the end. Securing them also a spot to the Second phase of qualification for the European Men's Handball Championship 2020.
Kosovo were drawn in Group 1 against Germany, Poland and Israel. The Dardanians were able to get some fair results after beating Israel at home 27-24 their first win in such a stage. They also secure an unlucky last second draw against Poland. Despite not qualifying to the main event Kosovo were able to actually compete with the 32 best European national teams in Handball. In the following Qualification for the 2022 European Men's Handball Championship. Kosovo once more qualified for the Playoffs. In Group 8 they faced Sweden, Montenegro and Romania. After a draw at home Against Romania with 23-23 they were able to secure their first-ever away win in this face after beating surprisingly Romania in the following match with 25–30 in full time. Kosovo could not gain another win as they lost to Montenegro once more at home this time with 22–27. Missing out close once more on their first ever European Men's Handball Championship participation, after finishing third in the end. One of the greatest achievements in the Kosovan Handball history.
IHF Emerging Nations Championship YearPosition Kosovo 2015 6 4 0 2 Bulgaria 2017 6 4 0 2Total 12 8 0 4
Team Current squad The squad selected for the 2024 European Men's Handball Championship qualification matches. Updated: 22 December 2022 Head coach: Bujar Qerimi
Coaches No.NamePeriod1. Alfred Llazari2014–20152. Taib Kabashi2015–20163. Taip Ramadani→ Javier Cabanas2016–20212020–20214. Bujar Qerimi2021–20255. Jesper Östlund2025–
Captains Ylber Mjeku (2014–2016) Valon Dedaj (2016-)
Individual all-time records
Most matches played Total number of matches played in official competitions only. RankPlayerMatchesGoals1Kastriot Jupa561892Deniz Terziqi431363Valon Dedaj421644Drilon Tahirukaj41785Luigj Quni36496Egzon Gjuka351056Lindrit Fetahu35608Oltion Beshiri34639Haris Berisha33110Drenit Tahirukaj2882
Most goals scored Total number of goals scored in official competitions only. RankPlayerGoalsMatches1Kastriot Jupa189562Valon Dedaj164423Deniz Terziqi136434Egzon Gjuka105355Drilon Tahirukaj88416Drenit Tahirukaj82288Florim Hoxha81288Enis Kabashi67199Oltion Beshiri633410Kreshnik Krasniqi602410Lindrit Fetahu6035
Notes and references Notes
References
External links
IHF profile