The first step towards Austria, Hungary and Switzerland was made without a mistake - the Montenegrin handball players beat Turkey last night in the "Bemax Arena" with a flying game in the second half (39:23).
Although coach Bojana Popović had a lot of trouble with injuries to the players, the "lionesses" are, nevertheless, a class for the first rival in the qualifications. What is especially pleasing is the performance of the younger players.
"I'm very happy that we ended like this - a lot of young girls got a chance, so it was a really nice match and atmosphere in Podgorica," said Montenegro goalkeeper Marta Batinović.
In the group with our ladies, there are also Serbia and the next rival Bulgaria, with whom the "lionesses" will play on Sunday in Shumen.
"Now we have Bulgaria first, then the World Cup, then the continuation of these qualifications and the qualification for the Olympic Games - we have a really challenging period ahead of us. We are as young a team as we can be - there aren't many older players, so the youngsters have to do their best fit in. They showed themselves really well against Turkey and I hope they will get as many opportunities as possible in Bulgaria," added the Montenegrin goalkeeper.
She made nine saves against Turkey, while her partner in the goal of Montenegro, Marina Rajčić, made five.
"I think that the two of us did what we had to do and just gave energy so that the girls have faith that we will defend whatever it takes," said Batinović.
The matches against Turkey and Bulgaria herald the exciting handball winter and the World Championship, which will be played in Scandinavia in November and December.
"We have a tough job ahead of us - every team that comes there is not easy at all, but the most important thing is to go one step at a time. Now Bulgaria is waiting for us, maybe it's not such a high-quality national team, we honestly don't know anything about them. I hope we will get through there without some difficulties and injuries. We have several games until the World Championship and the most important thing is to be healthy and ready for that championship," concluded Batinović.
The match against Bulgaria on Sunday starts at 16:XNUMX p.m.
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