From the special reporter "Vijesti"
The Olympic rhythm has begun for Montenegrin handball players. The first working day in Tokyo is behind them, while adjusting to the time difference and "jet lag" are still ongoing.
The dream is disturbed, after all, it is a plus of seven hours, the journey was also tiring and long, but there is no time to waste, there are six days until the first match in the tournament.
The final preparations began in the gym, from today, work in the hall is scheduled, and a control match with France, which is in the second group at the tournament in Tokyo, is scheduled for July 21 at 19.30:12.30 Japanese time (XNUMX:XNUMX CET).
"We did the main part of the preparations in Montenegro, here the first goal is to adapt to the time difference. "For two nights, we don't sleep on time, but that's normal and we're slowly getting into a rhythm," says Itana Grbić.
As a 19-year-old talent, Grbić was in the innermost circle of candidates to go to Rio de Janeiro. She was not on the Olympic list then, this time there was no dilemma - with her games in the Budućnost jersey and her significant role in the national team, she gained the status of one of the most important players in the "lionesses".
"I couldn't wait for this, my biggest dream has come true. I'm here, I'm part of the Olympic Games, among the best in the world... And it's a really special feeling to see so many flags, so many athletes in one place. We fought for it, we reached Tokyo weakened, we deserved everything that happened to us".
Jelena Despotović is in a similar situation. In handball circles, there is a well-known story that nine years ago in Podgorica, with tens of thousands of fans painted in red, she waited for four hours on the square in Podgorica for the "lionesses" to show the silver Olympic medal, which they brought from London.
"Even then I knew that the Olympic Games were something special, now I am also part of that story. I can't wait for the opening ceremony, I'm sure it's a special feeling, I can't wait for the competition to start," says Jelena Despotović.
Montenegro is participating in the Olympic Games for the third time in a row, and it is an indisputable fact that placing among 12 selections, in a fierce competition, is a great success.
"We fought for it, we reached Tokyo weakened, we deserved everything that happened to us," says Itana.
However, when you get into such a narrow circle, it is logical to expect more. "Lionesses", however, are cautious when talking about ambitions.
"Just step by step, the first game is the most important. But we didn't come here just to fulfill a dream and participate".
"You come to the Games maybe once, maybe never, it's been five years since the last one and it's clear that everyone wants to take advantage of the moment. Maybe it's a little harder to focus because of the environment you're in and the ambiance, but I believe we'll solve that too. In any case, it is a big deal for us that we are in the company of the best athletes in the world, it is a success that we are among 12 selections at the handball tournament", said Jelena Despotović.
There is only one promise.
"We will leave our heart on the field, that's for sure, we'll see how much it will bring us", Itana is clear.
Montenegro has an unusual group in Tokyo, with three selections that are not from Europe, along with European powers Norway and the Netherlands. It starts with Angola, then with Japan, and after the duel with the Norwegian women, the match with South Korea follows.
"Our group is specific, we don't often have the opportunity to play with teams like Japan, Angola and South Korea. It's a different handball, the only thing we can do is to prepare with a good analysis, to be tactically prepared. These are very awkward selections, even though it doesn't look like that from the outside. There must be absolutely no relaxation, regardless of the fact that, on paper, the European selections are at an advantage. Only the best are at the Olympic tournament," says Despotović.
"We don't think ahead, we don't make any conclusions, we don't deal with forecasts. We have our plan, we will stick to the agreement and we will do our job - to show what we know on the field", continues Itana Grbić.
Games in corona rules do not disrupt preparations...
"We have been living like this for a year and three months, we had numerous tests during the season, we prepared ourselves mentally, we do not want and will not allow anything to disturb us", concluded Itana Grbić.
Bojana's tears flowed when she talked about London
Itana Grbić and Jelena Despotović are debutants at the Olympic Games, and they can receive a "theoretical" preparation about what makes this competition special compared to others, what is needed to calm down the excitement of the performance and to focus their thoughts only on the competition. first hand - from selector Bojana Popović and her assistant Maja Savić.
They have silver from London, as well as Jovanka Radičević, Majda Mehmedović and Marina Rajčić.
"When she talked about London at the first meeting, Bojana's tears flowed. That says a lot about how strong the Olympic emotions are. It is necessary, however, to feel that specialness, I think we felt it from the first day. Also, since the start of preparations, we have been maximally focused on training, we want to show the most that we can on the biggest stage", emphasizes Itana Grbić.
"We all know what the famous national team did nine years ago, but there's really no need to compare ourselves with the generation from London, everything is different now," said Jelena Despotović.
Čučković: Now I'm enjoying myself, I'm more mature than in Rio
It's been five years since the last Games - I think I'm more mature and ready for the duels that await me. At the first OI, I was inexperienced, eager to prove myself, maybe I didn't experience the atmosphere in the right way. This time I'm enjoying every moment - said water polo player Uroš Čučković. The "Sharks" open the tournament on July 25 against Australia.
"I think the team is ready, both physically and mentally. And that we are at the right level. Each game has something for itself. The first rival is Australia, in the past we had a lot of problems with that selection. It is experienced, with a lot of good individuals, who play fast, physically very strong water polo," said the experienced guard. Spain, Serbia and Croatia are also in the group.
"These are the teams that said everything with their results," Čučković said.
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