The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today bestowed the Macedonian Handball Team with “Medal of Merits for Macedonia”.

“Macedonia has started the year victoriously. I am convinced that the success you have achieved will continue in all areas, not only in sports but also in economy, culture, education. Nothing succeeds like success. You have demonstrated integrity and courage, talent and strength, will and winning spirit. Such models are needed today in Macedonia, people who unite the nation. You are contemporary Macedonian heroes”, President Ivanov said at the awarding ceremony of the medals to the Macedonian Handball Team.

Macedonian handball players won the fifth place at the European Championships held in Serbia, and are qualified for the summer Olympics to be held this year in London.

”You have shown that Macedonia not only participates but wins. One thing is clear, Europe learnt of the potentials of the Macedonian handball. From today on, the European teams will be really worried before every game with Macedonian handball players”, the President said.

He told the Macedonian handball players that they are champions for us, expressing confidence that they will continue to strive to be successful and achieve even better results.

"I was there, along with thousands of our fellow countrymen to cheer for our team. On this occasion, I would like to pay tribute to all who were with you, to all Macedonian fans. Those were memorable times for us all. You have played fantastic game until the last second. Believe me, for us, you are our champions", President Ivanov stressed.

The President of the Macedonian Handball Federation, Mihajlo Mihajlovski, is confident that this will not be the last success of the Macedonian handball players.

"I am sure we can and we will qualify in Gothenburg, Sweden and will take part at the Olympics in London. We will not stop here. I expect to win the match with Austria, and in January 2013 to play at the World Championship in Spain", Mihajlovski said.

The Medals to the handball players are awarded for the promotion of the Republic of Macedonia in the world with the great results achieved in handball internationally and for outstanding contribution to the development and popularization of this sport in our country.

The Macedonian handball players awarded President Ivanov with a jersey with his name and number seven.