EuroBasket number eight is ahead of the Montenegrin women's basketball team, and according to Fiba, it could be one of the worst in history for our national team.
Jelena Škerović's girls start the European Championship on Thursday (17.30:15 p.m.) in Brno against the hosts Czech Republic, and the World Basketball Federation's expert panel predicted that the "reds" will ultimately finish in 16th place among the XNUMX participants.
This would be the second-worst finish for our women's basketball team at the continental championship, after they finished last in 2017, when they also played in the Czech Republic. Montenegro's best finish was in 2011, when they finished sixth, while they finished eighth at the last EuroBasket.
Fiba predicts a weaker ranking this summer only for the Swiss national team, and as an explanation for the forecast they cite performances in friendly matches, the draw, all recent changes in the roster...
Fiba sees Belgium, a team in the same group as Montenegro, as the future champions. The Czech Republic is predicted to finish seventh, and Portugal - another rival of Milica Jovanović and her friends - 12th place.
"The absence of Natasa Mack is a big blow for Montenegro and this team can probably forget about reaching the quarterfinals. Although it is not completely impossible, no one can even remotely replace her strength, points and rebounds that she would bring like she did two years ago," explained Fiba.
Fiba says that the positive thing is that Jelena Škerović will continue to have the other main players well-trained and that Montenegro will play solid team basketball.
"All of this gives them a good chance for a surprise or two in the tournament. In any case, Marija Leković and Milica Jovanović will be key," Fiba concluded.
In addition to Brno, EuroBasket will also be played in Hamburg, Bologna, and Piraeus, and in addition to Belgium, FIBA also sees France, Spain, Slovenia, Italy, Germany at the top...
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