SRBCoach: Boris Rojevic
Serbia
SRB
Team Info
After many years not participating in the Junior World Championship, Serbia made their return to the event in 2011. That campaign followed significant successes from Yugoslavia early on in the history of the championship, which saw a series of medals and three titles won.
Serbia are still waiting for a breakthrough success at the Junior World Championship. They have only once made it into the top 15, placing 10th in 2013. Serbia did not qualify for the event in Algeria in 2017, but things may be looking up at Spain 2019.
Though the squad that will contest the Junior World Championship placed 18th at the 2017 Youth World Championship, they climbed the rankings at the U20 EHF EURO one year later. At the European championship in 2018, Serbia secured eighth place. Led by their top scorer Aleksa Maksic, who scored 44 goals in their campaign, Serbia ranked ahead of the likes of 2017 Youth World Championship bronze medallists Denmark and quarter-finalists Russia.
Serbia will face some familiar opponents at Spain 2019, including U20 EHF EURO preliminary round rivals Slovenia, who won their direct clash last July 27:23. In addition, they will take on hosts Spain, Tunisia, USA and Japan in a truly international group that includes four different continents.
Spain, Tunisia and Slovenia were also in Serbia’s preliminary group at Georgia 2017. On that occasion, Serbia lost to Spain by one goal, and were clearly defeated by both Slovenia and Tunisia.
Key players: Todor Jandric (goalkeeper), Aleksa Maksic (left wing)
Qualification for Spain 2019: Men’s U20 EHF EURO 2018 – eighth place
History in tournament: 1977: 3rd*, 1979: 2nd*, 1981: 1st*, 1983: 5th*, 1985: 3rd*, 1987: 1st*, 1989: 3rd*, 1991: 1st*, 1993-2009: DNQ, 2011: 18th, 2013: 10th, 2015: 17th, 2017: DNQ
*as Yugoslavia
Group at Spain 2019: Group A (Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Tunisia, USA, Japan)