Kosovo national handball team


The Kosovo national men's handball team is the national handball team of Kosovo, representing the country in international competition. The team is governed by Kosovo Handball Federation.
The national handball team started competing in international competition in 2014, following Kosovo's full status recognition from the International Handball Federation.

History

Handball first arrived in Kosovo in the late 1940s, and by 1948 there were several registered clubs starting to compete in informal domestic competitions. By 1951, indoor handball was introduced. Two years later, in 1953 Kosovo Handball Federation was founded, under the auspices of the Yugoslav Handball Federation.
In 1979, whilst part of the former Yugoslavia, Kosovo hosted the 1979 Women's Junior World Handball Championship.
Following the breakdown of Yugoslavia and subsequent independence of Kosovo as a nation, Kosovo Handball Federation began operating independently.
In 2014, six years after Kosovo declared independence, the European Handball Federation recognised Kosovo as a full member state and immediately the Kosovo national handball team started competing in international competition.
After a difficult start, Kosovo’s national team has started to gain notoriety in international competition. After twice winning the bronze medal in the international IHF Trophy for emerging nations, the team is no longer considered an emerging nation.
Following a lengthy campaign in the 2020 European Men's Handball Championship qualification where Kosovo defeated Israel and drew Poland, the team won a direct spot in the second phase of the upcoming 2022 qualification tournament.
Most recently, at the 2021 World Men's Handball Championship – European Qualification tournament, Kosovo drew with Italy and defeated Georgia to take the second place, behind Romania, in the qualifying group.

Tournaments

EHF European Championship

Current squad

The squad chosen for the 2021 World Men's Handball Championship – European Qualification, in Benvenento Italy.
Updated: 29 April 2020
Head coach: Taip Ramadani

Coaches

Most matches played

Total number of matches played in official competitions only.
#PlayerMatchesGoals
1Kastriot Jupa40147
2Lindrit Fetahu3660
3Oltion Beshiri3463
4Deniz Terziqi3295
5Valon Dedaj30111
6Florim Hoxha2780
7Drilon Tahirukaj2648
8Kreshnik Krasniqi2560
9Arbër Curri242
10Haris Berisha241

Last updated: 25 April 2020
Source:

Most goals scored

Total number of goals scored in official competitions only.
#PlayerGoalsMatches
1Kastriot Jupa14740
2Valon Dedaj11130
3Deniz Terziqi9532
4Florim Hoxha8027
5Oltion Beshiri6334
6Enis Kabashi6216
7Kreshnik Krasniqi6025
8Lindrit Fetahu6036
9Drilon Tahirukaj4826
10Egzon Gjuka4521

Last updated: 25 April 2020
Source:

Kit suppliers

Since 2019, Kosovo's kits have been supplied by Kempa.