Since Poland in 2011, when they won the historic sixth place in the first European Championship since independence, the Montenegrin women's basketball team has been a regular participant in the continental tournament.
After Poland, Montenegro participated in European championships in France (10th place), Hungary (7), Czech Republic (16), Latvia and Serbia (12), and two years ago in Spain and France (12), while this summer at the championships in Israel and Slovenia for the seventh time in a row to be part of the best European selections.
Today, Montenegro started preparations for the championship, which will be held from June 15 to 25. Jelena Škerović's team gathered in Podgorica, and until the start of the championship, they will play nine preparatory games.
Montenegro will have its first tests at Zlatibor (May 23 and 24) against Serbia, while the duels with Slovenia are planned for June 8 and 9. From May 28 to June 3, part of the team will, as part of the preparations, participate in the Games of Small Countries, which are held in Malta.
"It is not a new situation for us, the expectation is that we do the best possible preparation, that we use this time to play well and to show the best games at Eurobasket. We will work here in Podgorica, we have preparatory games against Serbia and Slovenia. We will also participate in the Games of small countries, so we have nine games to play before the European Championship, which is enough to get fit and see our potential and what we can expect from Eurobasket," coach Jelena Škerović pointed out at the gathering in a statement for the Association's website.
Two new basketball players appeared at today's gathering - Nataša Mek (Lublin) and Taja Reimer (Besiktas). One of them will participate in the Eurobasket.
"We expect them to show quality during the preparations with us, to see which one will fit best into our style of play. I think it's good for us that both are there, because they have quality, we know them well. One is playing in Beşiktaş, and the other is won the title in Poland with Lublin. They have quality, especially because they play in the five position where we really need a player with experience," explained the coach.
Montenegro will play group stage matches against Spain, Latvia and Greece in Tel Aviv. The first-placed selections will directly qualify for the quarterfinals, while the teams that finish in 2nd and 3rd place will fight for a place among the top eight. The quarter-finals, semi-finals and final are played in Slovenia.
"We want to be healthy, together, to prepare as well as possible as a team. After that, we want to pass the group, and then see what we can do later. We hope to reach Slovenia. We knew that Eurobasket was waiting for us, so we are close to finishing season we had to prepare our head and body for it. I think we are ready, we are used to this already."
Coaches Rusin Bernad and Miroslav Škara will assist the coach Jelena Škerović in her work, Petar Stojović is a physiotherapist, Snežana Čorac is the team doctor, and Nikolina Popović is the manager.
The list includes:
Milica Jovanović - Miskolc
Božica Mujović - Chaika
Sofija Živaljević - Arka Gdinja
Bojana Kovačević - Kadi la Seu
Jovana Pašić - Herceg Novi 87
Jelena Vučetić - Kadi la Seu
Jelena Dubljević - Mersin
Dragana Žiković - The future of Bemax
Marija Leković - The future of Bemax
Ksenija Šćepanović - The future of Bemax
Maja Bigović - The future of Bemax
Zorana Radonjić - Future Bemax
Milena Jakšić - Nikšić
Nataša Mek - Lublin
Taja Raymer - Besiktas
Lana Vukčević - Future Bemax
Anastasija Drobnjak - Future Bemax
EUROBASKET
GROUP A: Montenegro, Latvia, Spain, Greece
GROUP B: Belgium, Italy, Czech Republic, Israel
GROUP C: Germany, Great Britain, Slovenia, France
GROUP D: Slovakia, Turkey, Hungary, Serbia
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