Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski met Thursday with Macedonia's men's handball team during their training in Skopje before leaving to Denmark to compete in the European championship.

Wishing them luck at the upcoming continental tournament, Gruevski expressed his conviction that the Macedonian handball players would do their best.

"We will be with you, in our minds and hearts. Sometimes it doesn't depend on you, luck also plays a large part. I urge you to do your best and I am convinced that you will," Gruevski said.

National team captain Kire Lazarov voiced hopes that the team would be well-prepared for the European championship.

"We have a invaluable experience vying at large tournaments. We know the whole Macedonian public expects a lot from us and we will do our best," stated Lazarov.

Securing the fifth place in the previous European handball championship is an encouragement to positively upgrade the team, according to him.

The tournament opens on Jan. 12 with Macedonia facing Denmark - this year's host and winner of the last championship. Macedonia plays against the Czech Republic on Jan. 14 and against Austria on Jan. 16.