For the third time in the history of Montenegrin basketball players, they are in the vestibule of paradise, one step away from fighting for medals at the European championships. And again in the pre-Olympic year, in which placing in the semi-finals brings an additional premium - a place in the qualifying tournament to go to the Olympic Games in Paris.
On the way to their greatest success ever stands the team that won a medal at the previous seven continental championships, and was silver at the last five and now wants the gold - France. The quarterfinal showdown in "Arena Stožice" in Ljubljana starts at 18 p.m.
"Reds" have already received the nickname "Cinderella story", i.e. "Cinderella", as it is said in English for teams that exceed all expectations and become a sensation in some competitions. After the injury of the symbol of the national team, Jelena Dubljević, few people gave them a chance to beat anyone, and from match to match they impressed - at the start they defeated Greece, then they held on for 30 minutes against Spain, only to have a bye from the group , in a duel that in some combinations could be their farewell, defeated Latvia as well.
And not only did they surpass the team from the Baltics, but they also kicked it out of the 39th Eurobasket, although the victory gave the Latvians 1st place in the group and a direct placement in the quarterfinals.
- To be honest, despite the fact that I believed in what we can do, all this is a little surprise for me. Especially the way we did it and played in the group stage and against Italy. But we don't stop, we keep going - said Jelena Škerović.
If two victories in group A cannot be said to be a sensation, what her team did against Italy can be "decorated" with that epithet. Although Lin Lard's team entered the match as clear favorites, Montenegro completely disarmed them with a phenomenal defense. Dragana Živković "arrested" one of the best players of the group stage, Ćecilija Zandalazini, and kept her to only six points (with a three-pointer with half a minute left), and the fact that from the middle of the 2nd quarter the difference was constantly in double digits is particularly impressive.
- We had enough time to rest. What happened until now, remains behind us. It is a huge success that we are in Ljubljana, and as for France, we all know what kind of representation we are talking about. We are well aware of their qualities, but we also believe in our team and our togetherness - emphasized Marija Leković.
In all four games so far, Milica Jovanović and her friends played hard in defense. They received an average of 63,5 points, and the French women scored 58,3 in three matches in group B. But Jean-Em Toupan's team didn't win easily, because they defeated Germany 58:50, Great Britain 63:57, and Slovenia 73:68. Maybe it's time to “slip”.
- It is an experienced team, with great results behind them. The recipe is the same as before - to play our game and give 100 percent of the opportunities, to burn for every ball and be aggressive in defense. Then we will see what the final result will be - said the coach.
By winning today's match, Montenegro would not only secure the semi-finals of the Eurobasket, but also the Olympic qualifications. If they lose against France, they would have their last chance to stay in the game for Paris in a duel with the defeated selection from the quarter-final duel between Belgium and Serbia.
- It certainly gives us and the girls a great motivation, but we should think only about the match with France, not to go any further. We have to concentrate for the next match, so we'll see what happens afterwards. Of course, we have the chance to go to the Olympic Games in our heads, but we must not turn a beautiful moment into pressure, so the concentration will be only on the match with France - Škerović is clear.
France is a physically dominant team, with only two players shorter than 180 centimeters. It is interesting, however, that in terms of the number of rebounds, they are the second worst team in Eurobasket (average of 32 caught balls), and Montenegro is second on that list (40,3).
- They came to victory with their style of play - very strong defense. It is a very tall team, four players in the line-up are over 182 centimeters tall. But the focus is on us, to see if we can respond with our aggressive defense and counters, to impose our style of play. We must not allow France to feel comfortable and think that a walk to victory awaits - concluded Jelena Škerović.
Marija Leković, X factor: Whoever wants more will win
Montenegro is the most pleasant surprise of the 39th Eurobasket, and the biggest sensation is Marija Leković. The youngest player of the national team showed that she is the future, but also the present, of Montenegrin basketball, because against Greece she was the X factor, in the duel with Spain she showed that she can handle even the strongest, and against Italy she scored 15 points in 16 minutes and 21 seconds. How much influence she had on the result in the round of 25, is also shown by the fact that, while she was on the field, Montenegro had as much as plus XNUMX in comparison to the opponents.
- Honestly, I think that all the efforts and sacrifices so far have paid off. I was sure this was coming, but there is a lot of room for improvement. When it comes to the European Championship, it's a pleasure to play - emphasizes Baranka, who celebrates her 21th birthday on July 20.
The girl who dominantly won the B European Championship last year with the young national team does not raise a white flag in front of the French women.
- Each of them has very good physical predispositions, but I don't think that's the key. Basketball is played for 40 minutes, whoever wants more will win. I think that we want enough and that we can reach victory. I set things up in such a way that I respect all players and teams, but I push towards my goal and my dreams - said Leković.
QUARTERFINALS
Hungary - Czech Republic (12.15)
Belgium - Serbia (15.00)
France - Montenegro (18.00)
Spain - Germany (20.45)
Bonus video:
