Lionesses wrote the script for a Hollywood blockbuster

From the special reporter "Vijesti"

The medal from London is timeless, because it is the first and, so far, the only Olympic medal for Montenegro, the gold from Belgrade will shine forever, but what happened tonight in Ljubljana is perhaps the greatest miracle in the history of our sport - the wounded "lionesses" survived everything , rose like a phoenix from the ashes when it seemed that they had been beaten and after extra time defeated Olympic champion France (27:25) for a sensational bronze medal at the European Championship.

Everything that happened in the previous 15 days, from the roof leaking in "Morača" on the day of the first matches in group D, through the unreal cheering in Podgorica, Skopje and Ljubljana, to the injury due to which Milena Raičević played the semifinals with Denmark at her own risk, and then she watched the last match with a medical collar around her neck, it's a perfect scenario for a Hollywood movie.

Everything seems unreal, and it ended in the most beautiful way possible - with a party with over 2.000 fans, who came from all over Montenegro and Europe to cheer on the girls who delighted the nation for the umpteenth time.

And not only with the result, which is historic, but with the way they fought for every ball, risked injuries and played as if there was no tomorrow. That's why the award arrived, especially for the legendary Jovanka Radičević, who had an extended dream farewell...

From the very start, it was clear that the match would not resemble the one from Skopje in Group II, which Olivier Krumbolc's team won 27:19.

It is true that Bojana Popović's team struggled in the attack at the beginning, that more than six minutes passed between the first and second goals (three balls were lost in that period, and Kleopatra Darlo saved three shots), but it was obvious that the defense would be perfect.

With the score 5:6, Popović replaced the goalkeepers and put in Marta Batinović. And maybe that symbolism was needed - on the coach's 43rd birthday, it was the goalkeeper with the number 43 on her jersey who shone and pushed the team towards a turnaround with several phenomenal saves.

Fear appeared when Tatjana Brnović received her second dismissal in the 17th minute, but she "survived" until the end and was one of the pillars of the rampart in front of Batinović's goal.

The even 1st half ended with a phenomenal goal by Itana Grbić a second before the end for 13:12, then Ema Alivodić with one, and then Đurđina Jauković with two goals brought plus three at the beginning of the 37th minute (16:13).

Goalkeeper Gloria Buzau's stats at that moment were spectacular, as she saved eight of 14 shots, four of which were saves.

Montenegro had a three-point difference three more times, but after Radičević's goal from the penalty spot in 20:17, they stopped attacking.

The Darlo net did not shake for more than 10 minutes, France reversed at 21:20, only for the captain to bravely throw a "dry sheet" from the penalty spot two minutes and 26 seconds before the end for 21:21.

With 63 seconds to go, Jauković showed that her opponents couldn't stop her even with clubs and scored for 22:21, and when Alivodić forced a break from Debora Lasurs with 37 seconds to go, it seemed that everything was over.

The Lionesses, however, played the ball too slowly and the Bosnians Tatjana Praštalo and Vesna Balvan quickly raised their hands for a passive attack.

The ball was left eight seconds before the end, Grbić did not allow it to be played, which is why she received a straight red card according to the rules, and Gras Zadi used the seven-pointer for overtime.

Many would sink, but not these girls, who pulled out the last atoms of strength. Ivana Godeč brought an advantage and showed that she is the future of Montenegrin handball, that Brnović's is world class, and Matea Pletikosić and Đurđina Malović that they also have a knack for the greatest deeds.

Batinović also saved two shots in extra time, and everything was over with the score 26:24 with 74 seconds left, when Zadi shot over the goal from the seven-point line, in front of which Marina Rajčić stood.

The party with over 2.000 fans in the "Stožice Arena" brought tears to everyone's eyes, the most beautiful ones...

MONTENEGRO - FRANCE 27:25 (13:12, 22:22)

Ljubljana - "Stožice Arena". Spectators: 5.380. Judges: Praštalo and Balvan (BiH). Sevens: Montenegro 6 (6), France 3 (2). Suspensions: Montenegro 12, France 12 minutes. Red card: Grbić (Montenegro) in the 60th minute.

Montenegro: RAJČIĆ, Batinović (11 saves), RADIČEVIĆ 6 (6), Kadović, JAUKOVIĆ 6, Pletikosić 4, Godeč 1, Bulatović, Popović, MALOVIĆ, Ćorović, Brnović 3, ALIVODIC 2, PAVIĆEVIĆ 1, Kepić, GRBIĆ 4.

France: Andre (one save), DARLO (10 saves), TUBLAN, VALENTINI 2, K. Lasurs 1, ZADI 3 (2), Sersijan-Ugolan, FLIP 3, Kanor 3, Horacek 1, D. Lasurs 3, Edviž, FOPA 1, NZE-MINKO 4, Ondono, Granije 4.