Škerović: A real difference, we showed everything that makes us unique

For the eighth time in a row, the Montenegrin women's basketball team will play at the European Championship (EC) - the team led by Jelena Škerović defeated Luxembourg 86:53 in the decisive qualifying match in Bar today.

Montenegro led from start to finish, made up for the 22-point loss from the first match, played in November last year in Luxembourg, and deservedly qualified for the continental competition.

"Congratulations to the players. We forgot about Switzerland. We came back here, we talked after the morning meeting, we restored trust and I think that helped a lot. We forgot that we were the players who participated in the European Championships, that we were seventh at the last European Championship. We remembered that. We showed what we are good at - fighting spirit, team play, good defense and counterattacks. We came in concentrated, we had a drop in the second quarter. However, at halftime we said that we had to be calm, to go step by step. The players carried all the burden and deserve congratulations," said coach Jelena Škerović after the match.

Montenegro was defeated by Luxembourg 71:49 in the first match, and made up for that deficit tonight.

"We believed. Experience and self-belief contributed to us hitting some three-pointers, Mack hitting from under the basket, playing phenomenal defense, stopping their shots and penetrations, and that resulted in this result. This is the real difference between us and Luxembourg," said the coach.

Another Eurobasket is coming.

"Today we celebrate, tomorrow we turn to club obligations, and then we wait for the draw and see what lineup we have for Eurobasket," concluded the coach.

Marija Leković finished the game with 14 points, four rebounds and six assists.

"We were motivated to win, by as big a margin as possible, and to repay ourselves after two defeats, when we were not up to par. Tonight we proved that we belong where we are going, which is the European Championship," said Leković.

Montenegro was looking forward to the match knowing that a victory by at least 11 points would take them to Eurobasket.

"It seemed easy, but it really wasn't. Going into the game with a deficit is a burden. Honestly, we are overjoyed. The goal was to win by more than 22 points and prove that we had a bad day in Luxembourg, probably one of the worst in the history of the national team. That's why sport is beautiful - you have a second chance to show that it was just a bad day, which we showed today. We qualified for the European Championship and I can't describe how happy I am," said Jovana Pašić after the match.

The European Championship is scheduled for June 18-29 in the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy and Greece.