Successful weekend in Ohrid: Trophy Macedonia 2026 and the new Women's Handball Forum

Ohrid hosted the "Trophy Macedonia 2026" tournament and the first-ever Women's Handball Forum over the weekend, bringing together the senior national teams of North Macedonia, Serbia, Croatia and Montenegro and a number of prominent former players-turned-experts from the region.

High-profile guests and a focus on development

The forum gathered notable figures including Indira Kastratović, Andrea Lekic, Lidija Horvat, Suzana Lazović and Dragana Cvijic, who shared career experiences with current players and younger prospects. Organizers said the event combined competitive preparation with mentorship and education aimed at strengthening the women's game.

Mr. Vlatko Tasevski, general secretary of the Handball Federation of North Macedonia, described the weekend as a strong start toward creating a lasting platform for female handball. He praised the quality of the matches and the frank discussions at the forum, and emphasized that development requires long-term work across clubs, youth levels and the national teams.

"Behind us is a beautiful and content-rich handball weekend in Ohrid. In the past three days, through 'Trophy Macedonia' and the first Women's Handball Forum, we tried to do something… It was more than organizing another tournament. At 'Trophy Macedonia' we had the opportunity to welcome the national teams of Serbia, Croatia and Montenegro and play quality matches that are extremely important for our women's senior national team. Results are always important, but at this moment it is even more important to see where we are, what we need to improve and to create conditions for the national team to grow through strong matches. Parallel to the tournament, for the first time we organized the Women's Handball Forum in Ohrid."," he said.

Tasevski added that the federation's aim is to give young players role models and accessible knowledge, to increase promotion and attention toward women's sport, and to repeat and expand initiatives like this weekend rather than treating them as one-off events.

Organizers thanked the visiting teams, the forum panelists, players, coaching staffs, volunteers and the local audience. They said the weekend in Ohrid should be the beginning of a recurring programme to help raise the standard of women's handball in the country.

Photo: press material from the event