From the special reporter "Vijesti"
First appearance at a major competition, first goal, but not the first point - the Montenegrin youth team was defeated by Romania 2:1 in its debut appearance at the European Championship, with a goal conceded in the first minute of injury time.
The host of the championship was a better rival, but the Montenegrin team - decimated by the absence of its top stars (Adžić, Bulatović, Zeković) and three suspended players (Perović, Tadić, Karadžić) - presented itself more than worthily on the biggest stage, showing that it deserved to be among the top eight in Europe and that it has the potential of a serious team with serious talent.
A bold start, with high pressing, and solidity in the middle of the field, were the introduction to a historic moment - the first goal of the Montenegrin national football team in a major competition.
In the 13th minute, Andrej Kostić fought for the ball in a strong duel with two Romanian defenders about twenty meters from the goal, the ball was picked up by Vuk Vlahović and elegantly placed in the bottom left corner.
It was a moment to remember, but it seemed to slow down the Montenegrins and awaken the Romanian talents. They moved the team lines, were faster, tougher and more aggressive and created pressure, which the guests had a hard time dealing with...
The defensive block swung from attack to attack of the rivals, and the role of savior was first played by Bodin Tomašević, who at the last moment blocked a shot from Vermešan, a rival from the Italian Primavera league (Tomašević is in Bologna, Vermešan in Verona), and then goalkeeper Ognjen Milović.
The youngster, who last played in a defensive role three and a half months ago, in the match against Georgia on March 25th, in which our team won the EURO (since then he has been either on the bench or out of the second division team Kom), twice masterfully stopped shots from Janis Tarba, a Celta youth player and former member of Barcelona's La Masia. Montenegro withstood the opponent's attacks until half-time, a break was necessary, like a gong for a boxer who takes blows but doesn't go down.
Little changed in the rest of the game. The Romanians continued in the rhythm they had dictated after the goal, our team was withdrawn and without a solution with the ball, but also with an excellent Milović in goal. Once again, Milović preserved the lead, saved Pakuraru's shot from a clear central position from 12-13 meters, and then deflected the ball with his foot from the box, after a dangerous and sharp cross from Vermešan from the right. By all accounts, it was unrealistic from a football perspective for Montenegro to defend to the end.
And the equalizer came in the 63rd minute. Substitute Baskeanu, in his first contact with the ball, perfectly crossed from a free kick from the left side into the box, and defender Emanuel Marinkau knocked the ball from the ground under the crossbar.
Nenad Vukčević's men managed to slow down the Romanian offensive somewhat after the goal, and 15 minutes before the end, after almost an hour of play, they did something to scare their rivals. Camaj crossed, and Filip Perović - who had replaced Kostić a minute earlier, effectively caught the scissors kick. He didn't hit the target, but at least he worried the opponent.
Montenegro had two more dangerous attempts (Camaj was a split second slower than Falkušan in the box), and in the 86th minute, a lot of luck.
Gucea tried a powerful shot from almost 30 meters on the ground, Milović had no reaction for the first time, the ball hit the post. Ćerćel had a great chance, but his shot was blocked by Tomašević...
The point was getting closer, but the host made up for all the misses in the 91st minute, and Montenegro was left without a reward for its brave and great fight - David Barbu placed the ball into the bottom left corner from 12-13 meters diagonally from the right side. In the last attack of the game after a corner kick by Ćetković, Perović tried to head it, then Damjanović, but the shot was not strong enough to "break through" the Romanian defensive block and prevent defeat...
Montenegro plays Denmark on Monday (17), who lost to Spain 1:0 in the opening match.
ROMANIA - MONTENEGRO 2:1 (0:1)
Bucharest - “Triumphal Gate” Stadium. Attendance: 2.500. Referee: Menelaos Antoniu (Cyprus). Scorers: Marinkau in the 63rd and Barbu in the 90+1st minute for Romania, Vlahović in the 13th minute for Montenegro. Yellow cards: Damjanović, Vlahović (Montenegro).
Romania: Munteanu - Ćerćel, Falcusan, Marinkau (79th Baraitaru), Marica - Simonas - Matei, Pacurara (62nd Basquean), Tarba (75th Gucea) - Kodor (62nd Danciutiu), Vermeshan (62nd Barba).
Montenegro: Milović - Vračar, Tomašević, Damjanović, Maraš - Vukanic, Savović - Đukanović (58. Ćetković), Camaj, Vlahović (83. Šekularac) - Kostić (74. F. Perović).
Bonus video:
