The Montenegrin women's basketball team has a decisive 40 minutes ahead of them to determine whether they will qualify for the European Championship for the eighth time in a row or miss out on a continental tournament for the first time since gaining independence.
Our women's basketball team complicated their path to EuroBasket on Thursday in Aarau, Switzerland, when they lost 55:47, so they are 3-2 ahead of the final round, just like Switzerland, which Jelena Škerović's team is better than in head-to-head, and which welcomes Bosnia and Herzegovina today. The group leader is Luxembourg, which has only one defeat after five rounds, and which is today's rival to our team in the decisive match for qualification to the European Championship. The match in the "Topolica" hall in Bar starts at 16 p.m. (free admission).
After the last match, all three teams could finish the competition with the same score (4-2), which is why Montenegro must chase a triumph by at least 11 points.
- It's certainly not an easy situation, but we have time to prepare. We are aware of the situation we are in and I am sure that we will do our best to finish the qualifications in the right way. I hope that the audience will come in large numbers and that they will help us achieve our goal, which is to qualify for the European Championship - said Jelena Škerović, the head coach of Montenegro.
There are many calculations and combinations ahead of the crucial 40 minutes. A win by at least 11 points would surely lead to Eurobasket, a triumph by up to 10 points would bring second place and almost certain passage, as Montenegro would then be one of the four best second-placed teams, while a defeat would mean elimination.
- There are several options, but we know all the calculations well, what difference we need for first place, what difference for second place in the group - explained Škerović.
An additional burden is that our selection has to chase the difference.
- It's certainly an additional burden than usual, but we are to blame for this situation. There are no excuses, this is the last chance, so through this game we have to grow as a team, but also gain some new experience - said the coach.
Montenegro suffered a heavy defeat in Luxembourg in November (71:49).
- We have to show that we are better. Some situations with the players during the season have not gone our way, but we have quality, the girls have experience, so I believe we can achieve the result we need. We put ourselves in this situation, so we have to get out of it ourselves - said Jelena Škerović.
Fans can be an important factor.
- In the last cycle when we played in Bar, the audience was at a satisfactory level. I hope there will be even more fans now, because we really need support. The home field and the fans give special energy, so I hope that with them we will achieve the feat - concluded Jelena Škerović.
Marija Leković also expects support from fans.
- If we approach it properly, with team play and team spirit, and with motivation, I think we can qualify for the EuroBasket for the eighth time. I would also invite the fans to come and support us, because we will need their support - said the young basketball player.
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