Sandra Kolaković has been appointed head coach of the Serbia women’s national handball team, marking a high-profile return to the position she last held two decades ago.
The Serbian Handball Federation confirmed the decision this week, bringing the former left back back to the national bench 20 years after her first tenure. Kolaković replaces José Ignacio Prades, following a mutual agreement to part ways after the Spanish coach was unable to relocate to Serbia on a permanent basis.
Glittering playing career
Few figures in Serbian women’s handball carry the same weight. As a player, Kolaković built a trophy-laden career, winning ten domestic league titles and nine national cups with ŽRK Budućnost Podgorica. She also conquered Europe, lifting the EHF Champions League title with Krim in 2003.
On the international stage, she celebrated bronze with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia at the 2001 IHF Women’s World Championship before moving into coaching four years later.
Her first experience leading the national side came at the EHF Women’s Euro 2006. At the time, she guided a young Serbia and Montenegro team through a transitional period, having secured qualification by eliminating Romania – runners-up at the 2005 World Championship – in the play-offs.
Building through development
Since that spell, Kolaković has continued to strengthen her coaching profile. She has worked extensively within youth and junior structures at Budućnost, with Montenegro’s age-category national teams and at Serbian side ŽRK Medicinar Šabac, whom she led to the Serbian Cup final in 2022.
Her appointment also reflects a broader development in the women’s game, where more federations are handing senior national teams to female coaches. The Denmark women’s national handball team recently named Helle Thomsen as head coach, while the Austria women’s national handball team have entrusted Monique Tijsterman with the role. In the Balkans, Suzana Lazović has stepped in to lead the Montenegro women’s national handball team.
With Kolaković back in charge, Serbia turn to a familiar and decorated figure as they look to shape their next chapter.