Finland’s hopes of reaching a first European EHF championship have faded after 33-28 at home from Montenegro, which provided themselves at least in second place in the qualifying group 2 and, with it, a place in the 2026 final.

Finns now have to beat group leaders HUNgARY away from Sunday To stay every chance to end up as one of the top third -country teams and to make it on the January tournament organized by their neighbors Sweden, Norway AND Denmark.

In front of a strong crowd at Energia Areena in Vantaa, the local team took the lead in the opening minute through Santter Vainonpaawho then added his and FinlandSecond for a 2-1 advantage.

However, it was so good that things took for Finland, as Didier Dinart’s men quickly stamped their authority in the match, opening a three -goal lead for the first time Cepic Radojica did it 7-4 in the 11th minute.

It was a gap that lasted alone, mostly thanks to Finland who lost their way to the attack, failing to score for nearly seven minutes as Montenegrin Went from 14-10 front to 17-10.

Miska Henriksson scored the last half goal to cut the lead to 19-12, but the Balkan side was still firmly in control.

Ola Lindgren’s half-time conversation seemed to have made little influence when Montenegro scored the first two goals of the second half, only for Finland to give itself a hope with a 4-1 immediately after cutting the gap into 17-23.

The Finns continued to have the best of the second half, and with nine minutes to go Linus Lindberg He gave the reason for the support of the house to believe when he scored the third of a 3-0 run to make it 28-25.

But Montenegro made the ideal answer, with three intentions unanswered to kill the return, Before you close the 33-28 victory.

The result leads the Montenegrins to seven points in the group, three clear in Finland with only two to play for it. 2026 will be their eighth appearance of the European Championship as an independent nation.

Branko Vujovic He scored seven times for the victors, only coming out of Vainionpaa, who scored eight.

Follow the EHF European Championship qualification in Flashscore.