When a match against the European champions opens with a 0:23 lead, it is practically clear from the start that the battle is lost, although there were some good things towards the end - especially in the second and third quarters.
The Montenegrin women's basketball team was defeated by Belgium in the 2nd round of EuroBasket (87:53), and after losing the first match in Brno to the Czech Republic, they officially have no more chances to advance to the quarterfinals before the end of the round. If at this point there was even room to think about advancing from the group.
The match against Portugal in the final round (Sunday, 20.15:XNUMX p.m.) will be purely for prestige and a chance to avoid finishing last in the group.
The first points of the game were scored by the girls' team, Jelena Škerović, after seven minutes, when Milica Jovanović hit a three-pointer for 23:3. Somehow, our national team "pushed through" the first quarter, which they lost with an unreal 31:8.
The impression of the European champions disappeared in the second quarter when Montenegro showed that they can play basketball even with this weakened squad. The defense was finally right, Marija Leković and Bojana Kovačević hit three-pointers, and the rivals' 25-point lead slowly melted away.
Marija Leković led the team, and Montenegro even won the second period (24:17) and went into the break with a manageable minus 16 (48:32).
The third quarter was practically even, everything continued to be driven by the Leković - Kovačević tandem, followed by Jelena Vučetić and Maja Bigović, and at the beginning of the fourth period the lead was the smallest since the starting 23:0.
Bojana Kovačević then hit another three-pointer, reducing the deficit to 15 points (63:48), but as throughout the match, our team's good period was interrupted by Kjara Linskens, who, as expected, dominated the racket.
It was practical and everything Montenegro did in this match, the class and breadth of Belgium was especially evident in the finish of the game when the European champion went all the way to the final 87:53.
MONTENEGRO - BELGIUM 53:87 (8:31, 24:17, 13:15, 8:24)
Brno - "Starez arena". Referees: Martiali (Italy), Yalman (Turkey) and Dahra (France).
Montenegro: Kovačević 16, Živaljević, Pasić 7, Radonjić, Baošić, Ilic, Bigović 6, Vučetić 3, Glomazić, Leković 15, Jovanović 5, Bulajić 1.
Belgium: Ramet 3, Klaesens 14, Delar 3, Meseman 15, Linskens 25, Mununga 2, Masej, Varvae, Mbaka 8, Vanlo 8, Alemon 9, Joris.
Bonus video:
