From the special reporter "Vijesti"
A day after the defeat by France and a (un)slept night, Montenegrin handball players are ready to turn over a new leaf.
And they have to, because tomorrow (18:XNUMX) they have the most important game in the championship so far, which can open the door to the semi-finals - a duel with Romania.
If they win, Bojana Popović will be one millimeter away from Ljubljana, and everything could theoretically be finished around 22 p.m., if France does not lose to Germany. In that case, the matches of the last round on Wednesday would not have any significance, so the "lionesses" could play a "friendly" match with the Netherlands.
"That defeat happened, but we know what our goal is. Already tomorrow we play against Romania, that game is definitely the final for us, because it takes us to Ljubljana. We should forget about France, not to think about that match at all, because we have a big day ahead of us and I expect only victory", said Marta Batinović.
Against the Olympic champion, the attack was a problem.
"We definitely played poorly in attack, it cost us quick goals. We put a lot of balls in our hands and missed simple shots, I don't think such a bad day can happen again. We have to play defense as before, fight for every ball and just pull the transition. There is no doubt that it will not be better tomorrow".
The first three results in group II corresponded to Montenegro, so the duel with Romania is crucial, and not with the Netherlands, as expected.
"Everything really went our way, for the Netherlands and Spain to draw, so tomorrow is a big day for us. Everything is in our hands, that one victory would lead us to Ljubljana, which is the goal of all of us from the first day," said goalkeeper Gloria Buzau.
Batinović has already been in Romania for the fourth season and knows very well the team led by her former coach from Ramnik Vlcea, Florentin Pera.
"Romania will certainly not give up, they have Neaga and Pintea, who are the key to everything, as well as good goalkeepers. It's a good team, they certainly won't go out on the field and say it's over, they'll play 100 percent. Our trump card must be defense, as it was from the first day, in order to score easy goals and show them who is the boss in Skopje too"
Is Montenegro the favorite?
"It is".
Do you believe in fan support?
“Of course. It was really nice when we ran out onto the field last night and, regardless of the fact that we are in Skopje, played in front of our fans again. I hope that they will come in the same, if not more, numbers to support us, because we deserve both support and placement in the semi-finals", concluded Marta Batinović.
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