The Montenegrin women's basketball team opens its eighth EuroBasket since the restoration of independence tomorrow (Thursday) at 17.30:XNUMX PM against the Czech Republic in Brno, a city where coach Jelena Škerović left a big mark.
"I hope that my return here will be a lucky one," said the coach, who was the Czech Republic champion with Brno and played in the Euroleague...
Considering that Montenegro went to the European Championship with a rejuvenated team, Jelena Škerović and her girls will need a dose of luck.
"So far, everything is going according to the plan we made during the preparations, however, we already have a problem for the first match, because during the day Jovana Pašić got a fever and missed training. However, we will do everything we can to have her play and help as much as she can," Škerović emphasized.
Montenegro made its debut at the European Championships in 2011, and has been a regular participant ever since, but now, for the first time, they will be without a naturalized player after Natasa Mek was injured. In addition to her, the team also includes Dragana Živković, Ksenija Šćepanović and Anastasija Drobnjak.
"We have personnel problems, the team is even different compared to Mexico (WorldBasketball qualifiers), where we also played with a rejuvenated team without Natasa. Now we have an even younger squad. Of course, that doesn't mean that these girls who are there don't deserve to be part of the European Championship and that they won't fight. We will, as always, give our best."
In addition to the Czech Republic, Montenegro's rivals in the group will also be Belgium, the current European champion, as well as Portugal - only two teams advance to the quarterfinals, so it is clear how important the first match is.
"It will be difficult, the Czech Republic has a good team. They have a game under the basket, shooters, a very good generation of younger players who have been playing together for three years, and who have experience playing in the Euroleague and Eurocup, so they have a really good team. But, we are watching us. We are aware of the quality and we will try to do the best we can. We have prepared tactically, physically and now it remains for the girls to accept this as a positive challenge. We need to enter the match calmly and try to do the best job possible."
The coach once again reiterated how great a success Montenegro's mere appearance at a major competition is.
"I am happy that with many problems regarding women's basketball and a small base, we are achieving such successes. Women's basketball deserves more attention, bigger plans, deeper plans. With only 50 players in Montenegro, with 10 professional players, even with the problems we have, we are once again regulars on the big stage and we have a future to be on the big stage," emphasized Jelena Škerović.
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