The Montenegrin women's basketball team plays against Belgium tonight (20.15:89 p.m.) in the second round of Group C of the European Championship in the Czech Republic. Yesterday, our basketball team was defeated by the Czech Republic in the opening match of the EuroBasket 44:81, while the current European champion started the defense of the trophy with a convincing victory against Portugal – 52:XNUMX.
The Montenegrin national team has only scored less than 44 points once at the European Championships - against Turkey (41) in 2015, while Belgium has won 14 of the last 17 games in the group stage of the European Championship, including the game against Montenegro at the 2017 championship (which was the only duel between these two teams).
"After the tough defeat against the Czech Republic, we immediately turned to the match against Belgium. They are the current European champions and there is no need to waste many words on what kind of team they are. They simply do not have a weak link, they have players who play in the WNBA, Euroleague and Eurocup, so it is clear that tonight will be extremely difficult. However, we will try to go out on the court and enjoy the game we love the most," said Jovana Pašić, Montenegro's defender.
It is clear that the Montenegrin team will have an extremely difficult task tonight against the European champions, and although only 24 hours have passed since the premiere, Jelena Škerović's team will try to leave a better impression.
"We have to fight and try to leave the best impression possible. We are not in a position to promise anything except that we will fight to the fullest," added Novljanka.
Montenegro had a lot of problems with the racket against the Czech Republic, which resulted in a large difference in the score (52-27). It is certain that it will be difficult to match Belgium's rebounding tonight, which has great players in the center positions. Emma Messeman scored 19 points against Portugal, with 11 rebounds and six assists, and is the only player in the last 30 years to have more games with over 15 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, as she also crossed that mark against the Czech Republic in 2023.
"They have one of the best players in the world, Emma Meseman. It will be difficult, we defenders will also try to help the centers. You know what kind of situation we are in, I don't want to waste too many words on it. You know how many players we are missing, there are no excuses, but for Montenegro, which has a small base, this is a big handicap. It was felt yesterday, it will be felt today, it will be felt throughout the championship. We may not have quality, but we will always have the heart, desire and will, and with that we will always play for Montenegro," Pašić pointed out.
Jovana Pašić had her first training session in Brno today, as she played against the Czech Republic after two days of high fever. But her desire was stronger than the virus.
"I always say for myself that I am aware of my good things that I do better and worse. As for the struggle of energy, desire and will, that has always existed regardless of whether I play for a club or the national team, especially for the national team, that will never change. On one leg or sick, I will always do my best and I will always be there for the national team. I am honored to wear the national team jersey," concluded Pašić.
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