Škerović: The biggest problem is that we are a young team, we missed open shots and that is the responsibility of the players

Montenegro has played against the Czech Republic twice so far at EuroBasket, winning both times, but times have changed.

At the start of the European Championship in Brno, our women's basketball team did not have the slightest chance against the hosts - the 89:44 defeat speaks volumes about how powerless Montenegro was.

"We started well, then we had a chance to hit some shots, but we didn't. As the game went on, our concentration dropped, and the biggest problem is that we are a young team, we are inexperienced, the girls fought, but that inexperience and lack of concentration cost us a lot," said coach Jelena Škerović at a press conference.

She continued in a similar tone...

"We missed open shots, we weren't ready for those shots, and the preparation for the shot - I think that's the responsibility of the players themselves. The Czech Republic punished all of that very well in counterattacks and in set pieces. We knew they were a good team, which they showed," added Škerović.

Our national team faces an even tougher rival tomorrow evening - Belgium, the European champion and semi-finalist from the last Olympic Games.

"It will be another great experience for us. We need to see how to correct the small things so that they don't happen again in that match. The reality is that we are missing six or seven players," the coach pointed out.

She emphasized that Montenegro is particularly weakened in central positions.

"We are at a height disadvantage compared to the Czech Republic and Belgium - teams that will fight for a medal. We are talking about the European champion, about players who are WNBA and Euroleague champions, they will punish every mis-match. With an experienced coach leading them, that is to be expected," Škerović said.

However, he believes that some things will be better against Belgium.

"What I would like to see is better execution of open shots, we have to take advantage of every minimal chance, to increase defense from 10 to 20 minutes, so that the girls gain experience and make progress, because it cannot be done otherwise. That is our reality, to continue fighting. That is our present, but that does not mean that we give up. We have a morning training session, we will try to correct it, but this is our present," concluded Jelena Škerović.