Dmitro Horikha joins national team camp: 'This is a big responsibility, I learned the anthem of North Macedonia'
New call-up thanks fans and officials for his passport, says he learned the North Macedonia anthem and is ready to give his all.
On 01.11.2026 the North Macedonia men’s handball team met in Skopje for the first training camp ahead of the upcoming European qualifying matches against Luxembourg and Greece. Coach Lazarov's opening gathering included a new call-up: Dmitro Horikha.
New addition pledges commitment
Horikha described the invitation as a landmark moment in his career and said he feels the weight of the responsibility that comes with wearing the national jersey. He told reporters he wants to prove he is ready, help the team and give everything he has.
He singled out the quick preparation window that lies ahead and thanked supporters and officials involved in securing his Macedonian passport. Horikha also mentioned his close ties with Vardar and the encouragement he receives from fans.
“For me this is a special moment. This call for the North Macedonia national team is a big responsibility. I must show that I am ready, to help the team and to give my all to the maximum. Now we have little time, but we must prepare well. Great gratitude to all Macedonian fans and to everyone who worked so I could get a passport. This love somehow goes together with Vardar. I have great support from all the fans and that is key because I play for North Macedonia. I think that this will also be something new for me, but I think I will fit in quickly. Handball in North Macedonia and in Ukraine has a big difference, here handball is loved a lot, I learned the anthem of North Macedonia,” Horikha said in his first statement as a national team player.
The squad now begins short-term work in Skopje before travelling to face Luxembourg and Greece in the qualifying series. Coach Lazarov will use the coming days to assess combinations and prepare the team for both matches.
Photo: press material from the event
