The North Macedonian handball community has been in shock after a true tragedy that took place over the weekend, when 24-year-old goalkeeper Nikola Danilovski passed away unexpectedly after a suspected drowning according to local media reports.

A spirited goalkeeper, who started handball in the academy of RK Metalurg Skopje, Danilovski spent two years at RK Pelister, before returning to Metalurg, where he played between 2017 and 2019, representing his side both in the EHF Challenge Cup and in the EHF Champions League Men.

Danilovski’s antics between the goalposts and the potential he flashed at club level were also displayed with the national team of North Macedonia. He represented his national team at the 2017 IHF Men’s Junior World Championship in Algeria, helping his side finish sixth, their best-ever result in the competition.

Four years later, Danilovski made the jump to the senior side, being in his team’s roster at the IHF Men’s World Championship in Egypt.

The 24-year-old goalkeeper unfortunately did not play a game at Egypt 2021, with fellow shot stoppers Nikola Mitrevski and Martin Tomovski leading the way for North Macedonia.

Danilovski was playing for GRK Ohrid, the side placed sixth in the domestic league.

Heartbreaking news, as Nikola Danilovski has passed away. Handball lost a hardworking player who was the pure definition of a real fighter.
With great sadness we wish to express our condolences to his family, friends and colleagues. You will never be forgotten. Rest in peace! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/NLQL0zOkBb

— SEHA-GAZPROM LEAGUE (@SEHALeague) May 31, 2021

?| ɪɴ ᴍᴇᴍᴏʀɪᴀᴍ Nikola Danilovski ?

Tužna vijest stigla je iz Ohrida. Napustio nas je mladić iz rukometne obitelji. Izražavamo duboku sućut obitelji, prijateljima i kolegama preminulog Nikole Danilovskog. ?

Počivao u miru! ?#inmemoriam pic.twitter.com/F6L25NurgN

— HRS (@HRStwitt) May 30, 2021

The 13th match day of the North Macedonian league has been postponed due to Danilovski’s death, as tributes from former teammates, including legendary right back, Kiril Lazarov, who is currently the coach of the North Macedonian men’s national team poured in.

IHF President Dr Hassan Moustafa and the IHF would like to express their sincere condolences to the family and friends of Nikola Danilovski, GRK Ohrid and to the Macedonian Handball Federation.

Photo: Macedonian Handball Federation