Bojana Popović: This kind of game means nerves, after it the players become more stable

With the victory over Serbia (26:25), Montenegrin handball players practically secured the 1st place in group 6 of the EHF Euro qualification.

In order for it to escape them, it is necessary for a miracle of miracles to happen - for them to lose away from Turkey and weak Bulgaria in "Morača", and for the Turks to defeat Serbia in the last round as well.

It is clear that the goal was met, but it was far from easy.

"I told the girls not to expect it to be easy, because Serbia is an excellent team and has players who know how to play and lower the tempo. I told the girls to get ready to play persistent defense, but in the 1st half we conceded goals we shouldn't have. In the rest, we played better in defense, but in attack we didn't take advantage of some chances to break away to a bigger difference", said Bojana Popović.

The selector believes that two victories in uncertain endings will raise the confidence of the team.

"These games mean a lot to us and this game of nerves, because after it the players become more stable. Sometimes the audience gave the wind at their backs, but some less experienced ones got their feet tied. The most important thing is that the European Championship is here, that a lot of young people got a chance. Ivana Godeč is still young, although she is playing in the Champions League, and Anastasija Marsenić played at a top level in both games."

In defense, specialist Andrijana Popović was absent due to injury, and in the second half, Ilda Kepić and Tanja Ivanović made excellent use of the opportunity.

"When Ana Popović is not there, we lack a defensive rotation. Ilda and Tanja are very good defensively, they brought stability, but sometimes we have to weigh what is better. In the following, we decided to rely on defense and to make two substitutions, which is possible only when the team on the other side does not constantly drag the transition. Along with Ilda and Tanja, Tatjana Brnović was more stable."

Popović rotated a little in this double match, but she hopes that she will have a better situation by the time of the qualification tournament for the Olympic Games, scheduled from April 11 to 14 in Ulm.

"It is difficult to gather the team in two days, in the middle of the season, there are a lot of misunderstandings. It is important that the girls come back healthy, because it is difficult to play when we are missing one or two, not more. The problem is that some players do not play in clubs and it is difficult to raise them. Our rotation is narrow, we have to expand it".

The facilitating circumstance is that before the tournament in Ulm, matches with Turkey and Bulgaria will be played, so the team will be together for a longer time.

"Now it's the first time, the advantage is that we will be together for ten days. We should first play matches of a lower level than this one with Serbia, but we will be able to rotate more and try," said the coach.