Montenegro have never played in the IHF Men's Youth World Championship before, but now the European team are heading into their debut tournament at this level and hope to do a good job.

Last year, the Balkan team qualified for Croatia 2023, taking the 12th position at the 2022 European Men's Youth Championship, which was held in their home country. A 30:27 win against Poland in the intermediate round played a key role for Montenegro, allowing them to secure a top-12 finish and thus book a ticket to the World Championship.

Now the team coached by Draško Mrvaljević will not play on home court, but Croatia is Montenegro's neighbouring country, so they should feel quite comfortable. At the maiden World Championship, their primary goal is to claim some points from their rivals in Group F – Norway, North Macedonia and Georgia - and reach the main round.

Mrvaljević, who is a former captain of Montenegro's senior national team, cannot rely on a number of players – in particular Rados Premovic, Dejan Kolovic and Igor Mrvaljevic, who are injured. However, their teammates are expected to step up and help their team to succeed at Croatia 2023. 

Key players: Milorad Bakic (left back), Andrej Dobrkovic (centre back), Savo Vujovic (goalkeeper)
Qualification for Croatia 2023: 2022 European Men's Youth Championship – 12th place
History in tournament: Debutants
Group at Croatia 2023: Group F (Norway, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Georgia)