Buducnost came back from minus six, had a chance to turn around, but Esbjerg was still too strong

Bojana Popović's team lost 15:9, on the wings of a spirited Armel Atingra, they reached 20:20, but not to a sensation - the Danish team celebrated 28:23 in the "Bemax Arena".

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With four goals, she proved that she belongs in the Champions League: Ivana Godeč, Photo: Dejan Starčević/ŽRK Budućnost
With four goals, she proved that she belongs in the Champions League: Ivana Godeč, Photo: Dejan Starčević/ŽRK Budućnost
Disclaimer: The translations are mostly done through AI translator and might not be 100% accurate.

The duel with one of the strongest teams in Europe showed how much the Buducnost Bemax handball players have progressed compared to last season, but that they still lack the consistency to knock down the giants - Bojana Popović's team came back with a brave game from minus six, they had a chance to turn it around, but then stopped again and lost to Esbjerg 28:23 in "Bemax Arena".

After minus 26 in the double match with the same rival in the previous competition year, one would think that this is a good result, but considering that it was 14:21 less than 21 minutes before the end, sadness will remain due to the impression that more could have been done...

Buducnost missed two shots to take the lead at the start (a shot by Milena Raičević was saved by Rika Poulsen, Matea Pletikosić hit the crossbar) and never threatened again in the 1st half.

She came close to equalizing twice, but the Norwegians Heni Rajstad and Marit Rezberg Jakobsen netted Armel Atingra's net, so already at the beginning of the 11th minute it was minus four (6:3), after the fourth goal by Rajstad.

Bojana Popović immediately took a time-out, tried to find the best line-up with frequent changes, but it didn't work. When the Blues got close, Nataša Ćorović and Andrijana Popović would get sent off (two each in the 1st half), which Esbjerg used to go to a record plus six (5:1) with a 15:9 series.

The goalkeepers also failed, because Jovana Kadović recorded the first save in the 23rd minute, and Armel Atingre only worked at the end of the first part of the match, when she stopped a seven-pointer and then a shot by Nora Merk. Rike Poulsen had nine saves in the 1st half, six more than the opponents on the other side, that was one of the reasons why it was minus five at the break.

Atingre continued the 2nd half as it finished the first, the defense also worked, so after seven minutes of the game it was only minus two (15:17), after counter goals by Ivona Pavićević and Ivana Godeč.

Buducnost played as if in a trance, and after another great intervention by the French goalkeeper, Raičević forced a seven-pointer, and Pletikosić realized it to equalize (20:20) with 17 minutes left.

With that result, Katarina Džaferović jumped into the empty space perfectly, but shot over the goal from six meters, which was the only chance for the lead. The Danish team went to 23:21, Popović took a time-out, and after that, Amalie Milling saved Matea Pletikosić's seven-pointer. Soon Merk scored the first field goal and defeat was inevitable...

FUTURE BEMAX - ESBJERG 23:28 (11:16)

Podgorica - "Bemax Arena". Spectators: 500. Judges: Budžak and Zahradnik (Slovakia). Sevens: Buducnost Bemax 3 (1), Esbjerg 7 (5). Suspensions: Bućnost Bemax 14, Esbjerg 14 minutes. Red card: Tranborg (Esbjerg) in the 44th minute (3X2).

The future of Bemax: ATINGRE (eight saves and two sevens), J. Kadović (one save), Ćorović, PLETIKOSIC 2 (1), GODEČ 4, Popović, Džaferović 3, Marsenić, KARDOSO DE KASTRO 1, Agović, Bulatović 3, Tomova, N. Kadović, RAIČEVIĆ 6 (1), PAVIĆEVIĆ 3, KEPIĆ 1.

Esbjerg: POULSEN (nine saves and seven goals), Milling (two saves and seven goals), KAMP-NILSEN 1, Meler 1, MERK 3 (2), Heindal 1, BRUSSELS 3, Tranborg, RESBERG-JAKOBSEN 6, RAJSTAD 10 (3) , Petersen, Dz. Jakobsen, INGSTAD 3.

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