Hungary defeats Montenegro in men's handball European Championship qualifier

The Hungarian men's national handball team secured a 32–21 victory against Montenegro in the opening round of the European Championship qualifiers. This match marked the debut of new head coach László Sótonyi, who led the team to a commanding lead early in the game, reaching a 5–0 score within the first six minutes.

Goalkeeper László Bartucz played a significant role in the win, earning player-of-the-match honors. Bartucz, who was also celebrating his 35th birthday, noted his improved mental state and successful collaboration with new goalkeeper coach János Szathmári. During the match, Bartucz notably celebrated a penalty save with such enthusiasm that he briefly forgot to substitute himself for Bence Imre.

Hungary's next qualifying match is scheduled against Kosovo in Urosevac. The team is competing in Group 4, which also includes the Faroe Islands, aiming for a top-two finish or one of the best four third-place spots to qualify for the 2028 tournament in Portugal, Spain, and Switzerland.