Team MKD aiming high in #EuroLeagueM

This week, the head coach of the Macedonian men’s national team, Joško Milenkoski, welcomed back his players as they came together in a positive and optimistic atmosphere at the Goran Pandev hotel in Strumica. The most successful Macedonian volleyball coach in history, who returns for a third time to steer the team, has accepted the challenge of leading the group in the European Golden League, as well as for the CEV EuroVolley 2026 qualifying matches with Greece and Georgia, through which his side will be chasing a fourth consecutive European Championship appearance.

“It has always been and it will always be a challenge, not only for me, but for all the players. The welcome was excellent, the mood is good, and we are happy that we will work together again. We expect a difficult schedule and a long summer, primarily the preparations for the European League, which is a foundation for the main goal - the qualifications for the European Championship, but the fact is that in the last two years we have been playing among the best European teams in the Golden League and that is a big challenge. 

“It is good to take one step more, but this year the preparations have been shortened and we do not know if we will be at the desired level for the first tournament in Slovakia. However, we will do everything we can to be in optimal shape. We will try to get the best out of our players at the moment. From now on it will be much easier - and for the tournament that we will play in Strumica with Israel and Montenegro, I believe that we will be in the necessary shape. What comes next and what we are here for, the qualifications for the European Championship throughout this long hot summer, will be a real challenge and we will have to give our best against Greece. We have enough time until then, but we are hopeful and that is why we are here,” said Milenkoski.

The national team players arrived in Strumica ready to work, and what they hope is that they will take a step forward in their performances in the European League, which will allow them to approach the EuroVolley qualifiers with the right boost of energy. 

“Every time we start a new chapter, it is a great source of joy for me and I am very happy, excited and motivated for what lies ahead. The first impressions and the first conversations say that the guys are great, we are all good, this afternoon we will do the first training. I am an optimist, if I were not, I would not be here and I hope that we will manage to stay healthy, and then a good summer in terms of results will follow. 

“Day by day starting from today I would like the national team to fit in, to live as one and to progress, to play as good as possible. I cannot promise anything from the start or announce a Final Four appearance because that is too big a bite, at least at the moment, maybe in three weeks it will not be. In the European League we will not be afraid of anyone and we will not come out with a white flag in front of anyone and we will play against everyone to win, that I can promise. As for Georgia and Greece, that is far from now, but there is no doubt that we are all subconsciously thinking about that too. Now I would think day by day. We need to find each other as quickly as possible, because some had a two-month break, some had five days, and we have to get back into shape as best as possible. The friendly match with Croatia is an excellent preparation for the Golden League. In my opinion, the more matches we play together, the better, and I believe that this will help us build our competitive spirit for the first tournament,” concluded the captain of the national team, Nikola Gjorgiev.

According to the plan, the Macedonian national team will train for a week in the Park sports hall in Strumica, and then travel to Maribor, where on May 24 and 25 it will play friendly matches with the Croatian national team, as a test of strength for the subsequent European League fixtures.