The best scorer of Ukraine at Euro-2022 has changed citizenship and national team

Change of citizenship of Dmytro Horyha

According to Главком: Dmytro Horyha, the best scorer of the Ukrainian national team at Euro-2022, has changed his citizenship and will play for the national team of North Macedonia. This news came as a surprise to many handball fans, as the 28-year-old playmaker leaves the Ukrainian team following his suspension from games for Ukraine.

Horyha participated in two European Championships - in 2020 and 2022, where he showcased his skills and gained popularity among fans. In 2022, he became the best player of the Ukrainian Superleague, which confirms his high level of play. In 2023, the Handball Federation of Ukraine announced a course for 'youth renewal' of the team, which could have influenced the player's decision to change his national affiliation.

Impact on Ukrainian handball

Interestingly, during the preparation for the European Championship, the Ukrainian national team lost to North Macedonia, which may have also prompted Horyha to take this step. Currently, the roster of the Ukrainian national handball team for Euro-2026 has already been announced, and the player is not included in it. Meanwhile, Ihor Turchenko became the top scorer of the team on the Winterthur court, scoring 17 goals in three games.

Against the backdrop of these changes, the men's national team of Ukraine continues to actively prepare for upcoming competitions, notably defeating Bahrain 33:31 at the friendly Yellow Cup-2026 tournament. The change of citizenship of Dmytro Horyha is an important event in Ukrainian handball, and it will be interesting to see how his new status will influence his career and the North Macedonian national team.

This situation highlights the challenges faced by Ukrainian handball, particularly in the context of the need for team rejuvenation and changes in team strategy. Horyha's departure may become a catalyst for new trends in national sport, as the federation seeks to attract new talents. At the same time, for North Macedonia, this could be an opportunity to strengthen their team with an experienced player, increasing their chances of success in international competitions.