When you have one of the favorites of the World Cup against you, more than 11.000 fans, and when there are also strange referee decisions, the semifinals of the World Cup look like a mountain... And in such an environment, the "lionesses" were close to a miracle.
They didn't succeed, but Montenegrin handball players have nothing to regret after losing to Denmark in the quarterfinals... The goal was achieved, the host trembled until the very finish, and the most important thing - qualification for the Olympic Games and probably the lights of Paris - is still waiting for the girls of Bojana Popović .
"We fought until the end, but sometimes it doesn't go as you want and expect. During the whole match, we looked ahead - even when it was minus seven. There were also some referee decisions, which we really didn't understand, but we didn't give up, and that's something to be proud of Of course, we regret, but we move on with our heads held high," said our goalkeeper Marina Rajčić, the day after the defeat against Denmark.
The "Lionesses" threatened for the last time two minutes before the end when Nina Bulatović reduced the score to 25:23, and instead of excluding Trine Estergord-Jensen, judges from Algeria Belhiri and Hamidi sent Itana Grbić to the bench - due to excessive joy.
"I've never seen anyone excluded because of rejoicing and that's it, let's not go any further," Marina pointed out. "I don't want to be rude and comment too much on the refereeing in such an important game - in any case, congratulations to Denmark on the win, I wish them luck for the rest of the championship".
Montenegro has the ticket for the Olympic qualifications in its pocket, and until the end of the World Cup, the matches for the 5th to 8th place are waiting for it - the first rival is the Netherlands on Friday, from 14.30:XNUMX p.m.
"Every match is difficult, we are all tired and mentally worn out, because preparation for such matches requires maximum focus. We will try to rest, to 'adjust' and play another match to enjoy, because when we enjoy ourselves, we play our best", she concluded. is Marina Rajčić.
Godeč: They couldn't do anything to us
The World Championship in Scandinavia will be a great experience for some new "lionesses", like the young pivot of Montenegro, Ivana Godeč.
"I'm proud of all the girls. We fought, they couldn't do anything to us, and in the end the judges did what was in their power," said Godeč.
He says about the match for the Netherlands...
"It will be difficult to find strength, we are empty, but we are not giving up," added Godeč.
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