North Macedonia women hold first gathering with new coach Igor Marković

On 21 September 2026 the North Macedonia women's handball team gathered for the first time under new head coach Igor Marković as part of the EHF week. The squad met at the federation's premises in Skopje and held an initial meeting to begin preparations for the autumn programme.

The players were welcomed at the House of Handball by Vlatko Tasevski, general secretary of the Handball Federation of North Macedonia, together with the coordinator for the women's national teams. That reception marked the first official contact between the national players and coach Igor Marković.

Team heads to Ohrid for international warm-up

Immediately after the Skopje gathering the team will relocate to Ohrid, where from Thursday to Saturday the international "Trophy Macedonia" tournament will take place. The event is scheduled as a concentrated preparatory block ahead of the continental championship.

North Macedonia will play three quality matches in Ohrid, facing Serbia, Montenegro and Croatia — opponents chosen to test the squad against regional rivals and help the players adapt to Marković's tactical system.

Federation officials described the tournament as the opening phase of preparations for the European Championship 2026 and a chance for the squad to build cohesion under the new coach.

By Marija Kovacheva

Photo: press material from the event