Macedonia lost in its second qualifier against Romania, but will still go ahead in the 2023 World Cup qualifications, owing to the far larger victory margin in the first match.

Our handball team beat the Romanians in Skopje by eight goals in the first game, and today lost in the away game in Bucharest by two goals – 24:22.

The teams were tied in the first half, which ended 12:12. Desperate to win, Romania went on the attack in the second half, but never got close to the goal difference it needed. Legend Kire Lazarov, who doubles as coach, scored six goals for Macedonia, and Kuzmanovski added three.

In mid April Macedonia will face the Czech Republic for a place in the World Cup.