For a country that has 650.000 inhabitants, one of the three worst leagues in Europe and probably the worst infrastructure on the Old Continent, the very fact that at some point it was close to a major competition is certainly a great success...
What is also a fact is that Montenegrin footballers throughout several generations since the restoration of independence - no matter how close they were to qualifying for the European or World Cup - were actually always very far from it.
Through many qualifiers, when they should have struck the final blow, when they should have shone in key matches, the "falcons" would have been left without wings... Due to the insufficient quality, strength of the rivals, and probably also the mentality that our boys have not yet shown in the matches when everything is decided.
It was like that two nights ago in Belgrade against Serbia (3:1), but also many times before...
Frozen in Prague
Before the match in Belgrade, Montenegro was the closest to a major competition for the European Championship organized by Ukraine and Poland in 2012.
After phenomenal qualifications and unforgettable matches against England, Switzerland and Wales, the "falcons" won the play-offs, and in it, it seemed at the time, they won the prize - the Czech Republic.
The selection led by Mihal Bilek was ranked the lowest among the holders, and in the company of other potential rivals Portugal, Croatia and Ireland, it looked like an ideal opponent.
Euphoria shook all of Montenegro at that time, but when Branko Brnović's boys were supposed to bite like never before, they remained "frozen" in Prague that cold November.
The Czech Republic routinely won 2:0, and a few days later, regardless of the good play of Mirko Vučinić and his teammates, with a new 1:0 triumph under Gorica, they "bought their ticket" to the Euros.
When it comes to those qualifications, we should not forget the match against Bulgaria, which Montenegro Zlatka Kračnjara under Gorica awaited with 10 points from four rounds and a big draw with "Wembley". That match seemed like a crucial moment, but the "falcons" played only 1:1 with the team they defeated earlier in Sofia.
When neither a triumph from Kiev nor a player is enough under Gorica...
In the next qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup, Montenegro once again found itself in a position to dream of big things - especially after the triumph over Ukraine in Kiev (1:0) and the draw with England under Gorica (1:1).
In the rematch with Ukraine, the "Falcons" were supposed to crown the victory from the first duel and take a huge step towards the qualification for the World Cup in Brazil... They had more players from the end of the first half, and in the end they finished the game with four goals in their net and without two players sent off.
Once again, close to the dream, but actually so far in the deciding match.
With Denmark as with Ukraine
In the new fight for the World Cup, Montenegro had a similar opening as four years earlier - with a victory against one of the favorites away from home.
The triumph over Denmark in Copenhagen (1:0, Bećiraj) erased the weaker results against Armenia and Poland, so Montenegro had the opportunity against the Scandinavians in Podgorica to take a decisive step towards qualifying for the WC in Russia.
And, then already seen - "falcons" without an idea, and Christian Eriksen signed the victory of Denmark and going to the playoffs.
Missed big chances in the Nations League as well
In the qualifiers for the 2020 European Championship, Montenegro had the worst performance (finishing in last place and with a "seven" from Wembley), while in the fight for the World Cup in Qatar 2022, they played the decisive match against Norway in Oslo. The epilogue from the "Uleval" stadium is well known - the fading "falcons" and a routine 2:0 for the host.
In the sea of lost key matches, there are also those in UEFA's youngest competition - the League of Nations.
During the premier edition, in the last round of League C against Romania in their stadium, Montenegro had a match ball to move to a higher rank, it will turn out to be a playoff for Euro 2020 later.
"Balkan tricolors" celebrated under Gorica (1:0) after a big mistake by goalkeeper Danijelo Petković and continued their fight for the European Championship through the barrage.
If Montenegro had not missed several chances in that competition during its last edition, now, regardless of the defeat in Belgrade, it would still have a barrage for the European Championship in its pocket.
Miodrag Radulović's team played two key matches in League B in the last two rounds against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Finland and lost both - 1:0 in Zenica and 2:0 in Gorica.
The mentioned two national teams will meet in the March barrage for the European Championship.
Bonus video:
