From the special reporter "Vijesti"
The victory over Iran was "fixed" even before the match started, and it will be the same tomorrow (18:XNUMX) against Chile.
The Montenegrin handball players will play the role of favorites for the second time in Group A at the 28th World Championship and will try to justify it against the awkward Foichtman brothers, Salinas and others.
"The first, historic victory at the world championships, not to mention the President's Cup at the first World Cup. A tough game, Iran put up a strong resistance. It's a tough team, they fought. Several times we separated by three or four points, but the opponent came back quickly. It is important for us to win psychologically, but also to catch the rhythm. I hope that we will keep it in the continuation of the championship", said Marko Lasica.
Apart from the fact that in the event of a victory or a draw against the South Americans, they would carry over two points to the main stage, the "lions" also want to boost morale with a new celebration.
"We have to win both for points and for confidence, which we will need in the main stage. Very difficult matches await us", emphasized the experienced man from Nikšić.
Lasica admits that Iran surprised them with their style of play.
"I didn't think it would be easy. Veselin Vujović arranged everything as it should, they are strong physically, and they surprised us, because they played much differently than against Chile. They gave their best against us, they fought until the very end and it was very difficult to beat them".
It won't be easy against Chile either. The team of Baksi expert Aitor Ecaburu dropped the triumph against Iran in the 1st round and tormented Spain for a long time, before laying down their weapons and losing 34:26.
"Against Spain, they held on until the 50th minute with a two-three difference, so it won't be easy. There are no easy opponents at the World Cup, we have to be as focused as possible. If we give 100 percent of the opportunity, the result will not be missing".
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Montenegro could lose four points and go to the main stage, but no one is thinking about that.
"We don't think about defeat, we can't allow ourselves the luxury of losing and we underestimate anyone. But we are definitely a better team".
Although they will play against Chile tomorrow, Zoran Roganović's team is also thinking about their rivals in the main stage - Slovenia, France and most likely Poland.
"We have already begun to prepare for those opponents. We watched the match Poland - Slovenia, it will be very difficult. The Poles are the hosts, Slovenia is an exceptional team, and let's not talk about France. About then and there, if tomorrow we solve Chile in the right way and win, then we will think about the next opponents", concluded Lasica.
Aleksandar Bakić has the "misfortune" of covering the same position as the masterful Miloš Vujović, but he also gets playing time, primarily in defense, because he plays brilliantly in the position of "double" in the 6:0 zone and forward in the 5:1 formation.
"The feeling after the first victory is phenomenal, we all played great together and corrected the mistakes from the first match. We showed that we have room for improvement, the defense has to be even more aggressive, and in the attack everything is working as it should. We are slowly getting in shape as the championship progresses," said the 22-year-old from Andrijevica.
The left wing of Croatian Nekse also had a message for the fans.
"I hope that we will record a few more victories and make Montenegro happy. Thanks to the fans who came in large numbers to support us, I hope it will be like that in the next matches as well".
It will not be easy against Chile, because they play unusual handball.
"We scouted Chile, it's a really unpleasant team. A few individuals play in European clubs, they are combative, they play with their heart for their country, just like us. It will be difficult. We are the favorites again, we will do our best to justify it, but we have to be careful, because there are always surprises at the world championships", concluded Bakić.
Reporting made possible by Lob
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