---
type: event
slug: watching-handball-together-in-slovenia
lang: en
source_folder: projects
title: Cheering for Macedonia, Watching Handball Together in Slovenia
subtitle: From Ljubljana to Maribor, Macedonian students filled cafés with chants, flags, and laughter while watching the national handball team.
date: '2025-01-25'
date_line: Published on January 25, 2025
hero:
  src: /images/handball-2025-1.webp
  alt: Fan atmosphere while watching handball in Maribor
  width: '720'
  height: '480'
body_format: html
---
<div class="article-body">
<p>In January 2025, Macedonian students in Ljubljana and Maribor turned cafés into fan zones, gathering to cheer, sing, and share the thrill of handball, proving that even far from home, the spirit of Macedonia lives loud.</p>
<figure class="article-inline-image">
<img alt="A snapshot of the fan atmosphere in Maribor." decoding="async" height="480" loading="lazy" src="../../../images/handball-2025-2.webp" width="720"/>
<figcaption>A snapshot of the fan atmosphere in Maribor.</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="section-1">Two cities, one spirit</h2>
<p>This winter, the World Handball Championship brought more than just matches on screen. It brought Macedonian students together. In Ljubljana, the initiative came from a student, Ljuben Najdovski, who suggested that MSOS host a group watch of the match against Guinea held on January 19, 2025. With quick organization and support from the local café Lepa Žoga, a space was reserved, sign-ups were collected, and soon enough 25 students filled the place with flags, chants, and laughter.</p>
<figure class="article-inline-image">
<img alt="Fans gathered at the Ljubljana base to cheer for Macedonia together." decoding="async" height="480" loading="lazy" src="../../../images/handball-2025-3.webp" width="720"/>
<figcaption>Fans gathered at the Ljubljana base to cheer for Macedonia together.</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Just a week later, the energy carried over to Maribor, where the local MSOS team set up their own fan gathering for the match against France held on January 25, 2025. Hosted at café CLC in the city center, the event welcomed 35 students and friends, complete with snacks, music, and a proper fan atmosphere. Even though the result on the scoreboard was not in Macedonia’s favor, the night ended in celebration, with new friendships and even an after-gathering that lasted long beyond the final whistle.</p>
<figure class="article-inline-image">
<img alt="Fans gathered at the Maribor base to cheer for Macedonia together." decoding="async" height="480" loading="lazy" src="../../../images/handball-2025-4.webp" width="720"/>
<figcaption>Fans gathered at the Maribor base to cheer for Macedonia together.</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="section-2">More than just watching the game</h2>
<p>What made these events special was not only the sport. It was the way students created a piece of home abroad: waving flags, sharing drinks, shouting "Ајде Македонија!" at the screen, and laughing together at missed shots or brilliant saves. For newcomers, it was a chance to instantly feel part of a community. For others, it was a reminder that even hundreds of kilometers from home, they were not cheering alone.</p>
<figure class="article-inline-image">
<img alt="Two of our MSOS Maribor organizers enjoying the evening at the fan event." decoding="async" height="480" loading="lazy" src="../../../images/handball-2025-5.webp" width="720"/>
<figcaption>Two of our MSOS Maribor organizers enjoying the evening at the fan event.</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="section-3">A new tradition in the making</h2>
<p>From Ljubljana to Maribor, these watch parties showed that supporting the national team can be more than sports. It is a way to build friendships, strengthen community, and carry a piece of Macedonia wherever we go. With each match, the energy grows, and one thing is certain: these gatherings will continue to be part of the MSOS story.</p>
<figure class="article-inline-image">
<img alt="A snapshot of our team in Maribor." decoding="async" height="480" loading="lazy" src="../../../images/handball-2025-6.webp" width="720"/>
<figcaption>A snapshot of our team in Maribor.</figcaption>
</figure>
<figure class="article-inline-image">
<img alt="A snapshot of our team in Ljubljana." decoding="async" height="480" loading="lazy" src="../../../images/handball-2025-7.webp" width="720"/>
<figcaption>A snapshot of our team in Ljubljana.</figcaption>
</figure>
</div>
<section class="event-gallery">
<h2 class="event-gallery-title">Photos from the event</h2>
<div class="event-gallery-grid js-lightbox">
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<button class="eg-thumb is-hidden" data-caption="Watching Handball Together in Slovenia" data-full="../../../images/handball-2025-6.webp" type="button"><img alt="Watching Handball Together in Slovenia, photo 6" decoding="async" height="480" loading="lazy" src="../../../images/handball-2025-6.webp" width="720"/></button>
<button class="eg-thumb is-hidden" data-caption="Watching Handball Together in Slovenia" data-full="../../../images/handball-2025-7.webp" type="button"><img alt="Watching Handball Together in Slovenia, photo 7" decoding="async" height="480" loading="lazy" src="../../../images/handball-2025-7.webp" width="720"/></button>
</div>
</section>
