Montenegrin soccer players are in the red after the first match of the first round of playoffs for the European Championship.
Finland, which as a team from the strongest division was the favorite, won 1:0 at the stadium under Gorica, and everything was decided already in the 3rd minute when Linda Selstrem checked Anastasija Krstović, who was excellent today.
The rematch is on Tuesday in Tampere, it is clear that our selection has little chance of a turnaround after everything seen in the first 90 minutes, but coach Mirko Marić can be satisfied that Montenegro has shown that it can deal with elite teams.
"We conceded a goal early and easily. Maybe later we could have allowed a goal in a different way, but when we look at everything, I have to be satisfied. The players gave their best in this moment, I asked them before the game to leave the field with our heads held high and those have done it. We have to put up as much resistance as possible and see how much we can do," said Marić.
After taking the lead, Finland had several opportunities to double the lead.
Krstović didn't allow it in the goal, and probably the most beautiful moment was seen at the end of the first half - Medina Dešić tried to shake the net from 40 meters, but her lob ended up over the crossbar...
"It's a shame that the ball didn't go into the goal. I saw that the goalkeeper came out and tried to lob her," said Medina Dešić.
Nađa Stanović was dangerous in the second half, and Montenegro missed its best chance in the finish when Armisa Kuč was blocked from a great position.
"When you play with teams like this, you have to be disciplined. You can't create six or seven chances against Finland, but possibly two, and if you don't use them - it's hard to get a better result. Kudos to the girls, they honored the deal, and now they have to let's rest before the second leg and get ready to answer the good national team as much as we can," said Marić.
In the second leg, our soccer players will be stronger for Slađana Bulatović, who skipped this match due to two cards.
"Slađa is coming back and I hope that she will be of great use to us with her calmness, knowledge and authority," concluded Marić.
The winner of this double match will meet in the second round of the play-off with the better team from the match between Hungary and Scotland.
MONTENEGRO - FINLAND 0:1 (0:1)
Podgorica - City Stadium. Spectators: 300. Referee: Rijem Husein (Germany). Scorer: Selstrem in the 3rd minute. Yellow cards: Karličić, Božić, Tomašević, Kuč (Montenegro), Nistrem (Finland).
Montenegro: Krstović, Popović, Đukić, Đurković (73. Janjušević), Đoković, Stanović, Karličić, Tomašević (82. Boricić), Kuč, Medina Dešić (90. Sarić);
Finland: Taminen, Nistrem, Eling, Kolvisto, Antinen, Siren, Kuika, Lehtola (73. Hertakinen), Fransi (56. Kolanen), Selstrem (73. Sevenius), Sumanen.
Bonus video:
