Cheers to the host, there is still hope for the Olympics

From the special reporter "Vijesti"

With the defeat against France, Montenegrin handball players practically said goodbye to the dream of the quarter-finals of the 28th World Championship.

When they take to the pitch of the "Tauron Arena" tonight, before the match against Poland (20.30:XNUMX p.m.), they will know if they are still theoretically "alive" for the knockout stage or if the victory brings them "only" a continuation of the fight for a place that leads to the qualification for the Olympic Games .

For that they need two wins, which may not be enough, but it must be tried.

"There is a theoretical chance and we will do our best to achieve what we set out to do. But Poland is the host and a good team, it will be very difficult for us. She's quite hearty, just like us. He plays in front of his audience, he started a little weaker, but he is playing better and better", said Risto Vujacic.

What can judge?

"Good defense and counters".

Stameni Baranin, who is waiting minutes behind the undisputed Branko Vujović, hopes that Montenegro will be in the game for the Olympic Games in Paris.

"Our motive is to beat as many rivals as possible. The main goal is to reach the qualification tournament and qualify for the Olympic Games. If we succeed, it will be great, if it doesn't happen, this is also a success," the 29-year-old right back, who was MVP of the Israeli championship last season, is realistic.

"Lions" suffered a convincing defeat against France (35:24).

"The defeat is difficult, we imagined everything differently. We didn't implement what we wanted, we didn't use the chances when they appeared and we defended their goalkeeper, and later it was very difficult to get into a situation to beat him. "We struggled for every goal, but we don't have time to think about that defeat, no matter how hard it was, because we have a match with Poland ahead of us," said Vasilije Kaluđerović.

The left back of the German second division Potsdam does not despair

"All is not lost. We did our best and have nothing to regret. France has been playing at the highest possible level for many years, has won everything there is to win, knows how to win and achieves all these successes. We are a young team, and Nemanja Grbović was also injured, which is very bad luck for us. Young Ćorsović came and proved that he belongs here".

The chance to reach the Olympics in Paris is a big challenge for all athletes.

"The focus is on the next match, because we could qualify for the Olympic Games. That would mean a lot to us, we would get another chance to fight for something big", stressed Kaluđerović.

"Lions" appreciate Poland.

"We also watched the match against Spain. It is a very strong team, when you look at where and how these players play, you see that it is a very serious level. They coped with the Spaniards, they play strong defense, they are awkward in attack, they play fast. I think, however, if we have a chance, we will do our best to get a favorable result".

Kaluđerović waited a long time for an opportunity in the national team, and he started the match against France in defense.

"For the first time I got a little more chance to play, I think I did what was asked of me. I expect to get the opportunity in the future. I am patient, I wait and I try to respect the agreement of the team. It's not important here who will play and how much, but that we all play for each other, because that's the only way we can achieve a greater goal," said the 24-year-old from Cetinje.

Reporting made possible by Lob