With a 32-26 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo’s women’s handball team has advanced to the second round of qualifications for the World Handball Championship set for next year. This historic achievement, under the leadership of coach Agron Shabani, marks a significant milestone for the team, but the Kosovo Handball Federation has its sights set even higher for the future.
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| Kosovo's Women's Handball Team singing the national anthem before an international meeting |
Federation President Eugen Saraqini told KosovaPress that this result was anticipated, given the dedication and hard work the team has shown over an extended period.
"This team has been working together for several years, and their performance has steadily improved through continuous training," Saraqini explained. "We expected this result, though we didn’t underestimate our opponents like Bosnia and Herzegovina and Belgium, both of which have strong teams. However, we have the best team, and that’s how we qualified," he added.
Kosovo's next opponent will be determined in a draw scheduled for December, and Saraqini emphasized that advancing past this next round would be a historic moment of pride for Kosovo.
"We now face another challenge. Our opponent could be Italy, Lithuania, or Israel. With thorough preparation and serious commitment, we believe we can defeat one of these teams, and achieving that would mark a historic milestone. Participating in a World Championship with our national team is indeed a remarkable accomplishment," Saraqini stated.
Coach Agron Shabani expressed confidence, noting that with a bit of luck, Kosovo could overcome their next opponent. However, he hopes to avoid facing the top-tier European teams in the draw.
"If we’re fortunate to draw a team like Portugal, North Macedonia, or possibly the Czech Republic or Slovakia, I believe with strong commitment and the support of a few additional players, we could achieve a favorable result," Shabani commented.
Shabani also called for strengthening the quality of Kosovo’s domestic handball league, which would improve competition within the national team.
"The Kosovar league needs to be stronger to foster more competition, particularly among local players. We have several players from Kosovo in the national team, but having more would benefit us greatly. Looking ahead, I hope that both local players and those in the diaspora will help us build a formidable team," Shabani concluded.
The second-round draw for the World Handball Championship qualifiers is set for December 14, with the upcoming matches scheduled for April 2025.