From the special reporter "Vijesti"
The socializing of football players, along with a symbolic exchange of jerseys on the first floor of the Bucharest hotel "Fenicija Grand", where both teams are located, also announced the character of tonight's duel between Montenegro and Spain, in Ploesti, in the third round of Group A of the European Youth Championship (19 p.m.).
Spain, with one round to go, already in first place, secured a place in the semifinals - Montenegro, with both losses, is playing its last match in its debut major competition. Will this introduction affect the course and epilogue of the duel at the "Ilie Oana" arena - once the game starts, everything is forgotten, including the fact that it is a match without any result significance.
Team Nenad Vukčević enters the match with the same goal and task as before the first two - to leave the best possible impression, to show that it is not by chance that it is at the Euro, although significantly weakened. How will it look from the Spanish side, will the coach Paco Gallardo change something, give a chance to players who played less in the first two matches, in the victories over Denmark 1:0 and Romania 3:1.
Realistically, such a scenario would be somewhat desirable, because after the convincing defeat to the Danes (5:0), there are few in the Montenegrin camp who, before the duel with the powerful "fury", the nine-time European champion in this age category, are at least partly or secretly afraid of another convincing result. After all, Montenegro is a debutant on this scene, and at the same time severely weakened, already tired, worn out...
Will they find the strength to play a good game and put up a good fight against Spain?
- It is a privilege to play against Spain, who have won the European Youth Championships nine times. We will try to be much better in every way than we were against Denmark - Montenegro coach Nenad Vukčević announced the match.
Five from Denmark - still burning, but less and less. And that's the price of debuting at a competition like this.
- We didn't leave a good impression and none of us are satisfied, but after a good night's sleep you understand that this happens in football, it's not the first or the last time. Before that, we also had a difficult match with Romania, in which we could have gotten the first and historic point, but we didn't succeed. Both matches left their mark in a physical and psychological sense, but we are aware that there is one more match left and we need to show ourselves in the best possible way - adds Vukčević.
Another one, and what a one - with the strongest team this team has ever played against.
- We have seen quality and dominance in all segments of the game from Spain. They are a strong team, we will try to minimize their individual and team qualities, and for us to be at the highest level. It will not be easy after two difficult matches, because this is a level of competition that we are not used to playing at, primarily in a physical sense. It is certainly a great challenge and experience for all of us who are here, especially for the players who, I am convinced of it, will play in a major competition again - Vukčević points out.
The Spanish are relieved, they have already secured their place - relief or additional danger?
- From a professional perspective, they will certainly do what they did in the previous two matches. It is possible that they will refresh the team a little before the semi-finals, but that does not change much - they have serious quality and will definitely go for the win.
And Vukčević will try to refresh the team, to balance fatigue, with all the limitations.
- Most of our players come from the domestic championship, which is of much lower quality compared to the level we faced here. We are in a serious problem because we are not used to this kind of rhythm, this is the top level and you pay the price if you are inferior in any segment - concludes Vukčević.
While Montenegro and Spain will play a match in Ploesti that is not so important in terms of competition, but invaluable in terms of the experience and experience of our players, Denmark and Romania will fight a direct battle for passage at the "Triumphal Gate" stadium.
The Danes deserve a point, the hosts need a win.
Tomašević: You always have to have strength when you play for the national team.
For Montenegro, despite two defeats, the duel with the "fury" must not be without significance - it will be an opportunity to improve the impression, to show character - that's what Bodin Tomašević thinks.
- It's a pleasure to play against Spain. We will enter the match with respect for our rival, but with moderation, because we must first respect ourselves, our work and quality, in order to achieve what we want in that match - said the Bologna defender.
Regardless of fatigue and the consequences of the heavy defeat to Denmark (5:0), energy and motivation cannot be questioned when playing for the national team, emphasizes Tomašević.
- There is always strength when playing for the national team. We are driven by the anthem, the coat of arms that we carry on our hearts and in our hearts. We are motivated to do the last match in the best way, better than the previous two. Just qualifying for the EURO is already a success, and the match against Spain - a kind of reward.
- Qualifying for the EURO is a reward for everything we have done in recent years, as a generation. The fact that we have drawn Spain as one of our rivals is a privilege, and the upcoming match is a challenge to show how much we can do and to measure ourselves against such a selection and such players.
The Spanish have already secured their place, it is possible that there will be changes in the team, but the Spanish team has no reserve players.
- If someone from Barcelona or Chelsea isn't playing, there's someone from Atletico Madrid. They have a great rotation and a lot of great players, we understand what an advantage that is.
Young Montenegrin football players are particularly motivated to correct the impression from the match against Denmark...
- We entered that match lightly, without energy, but that was our maximum at that moment. We are learning lessons from that match, we are not looking back at the downcast, but rather with our heads held high, as participants in the European Championship, we are moving forward.
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