North Macedonia took a narrow victory over Kosovo in their opening handball match at the Mediterranean Games on 30 August, winning 27:22 in front of their home crowd. The result kept both sides winless after four games each, though the hosts moved ahead on goal difference.
Both teams sit in identical positions in the standings — five and sixth place respectively — with zero wins, four draws each, and no points on the board. The table tells you little of substance at this stage, but it does show a tournament where teams are cautious rather than aggressive.
Recent results suggest both sides have struggled against stronger opposition. North Macedonia have lost heavily to Italy, Algeria, and Tunisia in their opening fixtures, while Kosovo's defeats have come against Tunisia, Italy, and Greece. Neither side has found a way to break into the win column.
This match might not have been memorable for its quality, but it gave the hosts something to build on. Kosovo's away end never stopped, but it wasn't enough to prevent another setback in what is shaping up to be a difficult campaign for both teams.