Itana Grbić and Ivona Pavicevic informed the President of the Handball Federation of Montenegro, Petar Kapisoda, and the national team's coaching staff that they have decided to put an end to their appearances in the national team, whose jersey they proudly wore for many years, leaving a deep mark in the history of Montenegrin handball.
During their representative careers, Grbić appeared in 13 and Pavićević in 11 major competitions, namely the Olympic Games, European and World Championships. Both were an important part of the generation that wrote some of the most beautiful pages of our handball, recognized for their fighting spirit, quality and unwavering unity on the court.
Their greatest success in the jersey with the national emblem was winning the bronze medal at the 2022 European Championship, which was held in Slovenia, North Macedonia, and Montenegro.
Throughout their years in the national team, Grbić was one of the key pillars in organizing the game and a leader on the field, while Pavićević, with her great contribution in all segments of the game, was the team's support in the most important moments. Their influence was not only reflected in the games and results, but also in the example they set for the younger generations.
Their last appearances in the jersey with the national emblem were in March – Pavićević played in the first, and Grbić in both duels against Iceland.
Itana ends her national team career with 124 appearances and 196 goals, while Ivona scored 160 goals in 111 games wearing the national team jersey.
"True loves are not planned, they happen by themselves. My love was at first sight and has lasted almost two decades. Every child has a dream. For me, an eleven-year-old, my dream was handball at the highest level. I was not afraid to dream it, nor to fight to live it one day. Lucid and brave, are epithets that you often hear from commentators in broadcasts of matches in which I am a participant. When I look back, these are the qualities that adorned the younger me, at the very beginning. Today, more aware and mature, I am grateful and proud of "little Itana" for being exactly that.
I remember those days. The first training sessions. The first matches and tournaments. The effort, work and sacrifice. Everything was driven by one desire – to wear the most beautiful jersey with the most beautiful emblem. To represent and defend the colors of Montenegro. The love for my country, the sense of belonging and the emotions that arise every time I see the flag or hear the anthem is the legacy of my parents. I believe that this is carried from home, as well as the upbringing that you love your own the most.
They couldn't teach me how to fight for that love on the field. There was no need. The golden lionesses appeared, as the best example of how to fight and die for the country and for your people.
Watching them gave me even more motivation to fulfill my childhood dream. To play for the national team. To be like them. To be one of them. Not long after, the golden year of 2012 arrived. Successes that wrote the history of Montenegrin handball. I remember being welcomed on the street where I grew up. “Little” Itana trying to make her way through the crowd. To approach our heroines. To get an autograph or a picture.
Three years later, I stand shoulder to shoulder with them. I make my debut for the national team. The dream becomes a reality. I scream with happiness inside. That's when I realize that hard work pays off. Anything is possible when you believe enough and are willing to work hard. My appetite starts to grow. I want what every professional athlete dreams of, the biggest stage in the world. The Olympic Games. Tokyo, with my girls and a medal a year later are the most beautiful moments of my career. Memories for a lifetime.
Today, with pride and immense gratitude, I make the decision to close this special chapter in April and say goodbye to the national team jersey. Thank you to all my teammates, coaches, physiotherapists and people from the federation. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey. Thank you to my family who has been my biggest supporter since day one. Thank you to the fans for their unconditional love and support.
I wish my teammates the best of luck in the upcoming matches and championship. I will be there and I will spare no effort. I want as many young handball players as possible to fulfill the dream that I also dreamed of. For our country to be at the top of Europe again. For everyone to be proud of the "lionesses". Let's celebrate together. For handball. For the people. For Montenegro. Because this love never ends, it just changes its role", said Grbić.
"Wearing the jersey with the national emblem was the greatest honor and privilege for me. During all these years, together with my teammates, I have gone through many beautiful moments, great victories, but also challenges that made us stronger as a team. It is precisely these moments of togetherness and struggle that I will remember the most from my national team career. After much thought, I decided that it was time to put an end to my appearances for the national team. It was not easy to make this decision, but I believe it is the right one at this moment. I am grateful to everyone who was a part of my journey in the national team and proud of everything we have achieved together. I will always be with the "lionesses" and follow their future successes with special emotion," said Pavićević.
"The Handball Federation of Montenegro expresses its sincere and deep gratitude to Itana and Ivona for everything they have given to the national team - for the dedication, professionalism and emotion with which they have defended the colors of our country for years," the Federation said.
