Imagine this – while many young athletes wander without a clear goal, Natalija Lekić from Andrijevica exploded onto the European handball scene and snagged the title of Europe’s best junior player! Yes, you read that right! This girl, who just celebrated her 18th birthday in April, proved that talent and hard work pay off, even when training in tough conditions in small Montenegrin towns like Andrijevica and Berane.
Germany’s national team coach Christopher Nordmaier couldn’t hide his admiration for her skills, calling her a key player that opponents “must not allow.” And he’s not exaggerating – Natalija scored a whopping 36 goals at the championship in Podgorica, with every attack starting from her! No wonder the European Handball Federation (EHF) jury named her the best player of the tournament.
But it’s not just her personal award that’s cause for celebration. Montenegro’s junior national team finished sixth in the championship, the best placement in the country’s history for this age group. This signals a bright future for handball in Montenegro, with Natalija as its shining symbol.
The tournament’s all-star team included other European stars, but none outshone our Natalija. Goalkeeper Goundo Gasama from Spain, left wing Chiara Rohr from Germany, and several other top players made the list, but our girl from Andrijevica stole the show.
Her family, including her sister Ksenija and father Nikola, a well-known coach, stand behind her success. She started training handball in Germany, where she was born, but the family returned to Montenegro, marking the beginning of her handball fairy tale.
This is a story of sacrifice, persistence, and a dream coming true. If you thought big sports stars only come from big cities and clubs, Natalija Lekić is here to prove you wrong. And if you have your own sports hero or think this is overhyped, feel free to drop a comment – let’s see who really rules the court!
In a world often filled with talk of problems and failures, here’s a story that gives hope and shows that talent and hard work can work wonders, even in small places. Montenegro can be proud of its junior European champion – Natalija Lekić!
