Was it because they arrived in Ulm less than 24 hours before the first match or was there relaxation against the easiest rival, only the "lionesses" looked "sleepy", often executed during the first duel at the pre-Olympic tournament...
In the end, they defeated the rival that they beat 41:26 just four months ago at the World Championship with a plus five - thanks to a good game only at the end of the first part and the game.
At the start of the qualification for the Olympic Games, Montenegrin handball players were better than Paraguay (30:25), but with the game they showed tonight in the German city on the Danube, the Olympic rounds and Paris seem very far away.
During the weekend, decisive battles and duels with the much more serious selections of Germany and Slovenia begin.
Only the two best selections will qualify for Paris.
Country - Montenegro defeated Paraguay with a lot of difficulty (30:25).
Jelena Despotović with two goals, one by Ivone Pavićević and one by Tanje Brnović from their own half, Montenegro puts an end to the torture, but also the first triumph in Ulm (30:25).
Several times Paraguay had a chance to equalize, but the "lionesses" somehow managed to defend themselves. It is now 25:24, six and a half minutes to go.
What the Paraguayans failed to do a few minutes ago, they managed with a new goal from More - the lionesses are only at plus one (22:21).
Bojana Popović asked for a time-out and told her girls that nothing can be easy.
With a new series of 3:0, Paraguay reached 21:19, and had an attack for minus one, but Atingre was safe, after which she hit Mugoš from the counter.
Tatjana Brnović scored first in 20:16, and then won the seven-pointer - Mugoša was safe, so the "lionesses" have plus five again (21:16).
Paraguay reduced the series 3:0 to 17:15, but Jelena Despotović stopped the torment in the attack at the start of the second period (18:15).
And Paraguay opens the second part better - with two goals it reduced the score to 17:14. Armel Atingre is now in the goal of Montenegro.
The second half began in Ulm.
The first half is over - the "lionesses" went on a 6:0 run at the end of the first part to 17:12 and thus "erased" the bad 25 minutes in Ulm.
The most effective player in our national team was Dijana Mugoša with seven goals, while Anastasija Marsenić and Itana Grbić each hit the Paraguayan net three times.
Marina Rajčić was also excellent in goal
Anastasija Marsenić and Mugoš scored twice each, now everything is easier (17:12).
Finally, Montenegro - with the goals of DIjana Mugoša and Itana Grbić, the Lionesses have a plus two for the first time (14:12), 27th minute.
Almost all goals for Paraguay so far have been scored by two players - Marija Fernandes Estigaribija (5) and Fernanda Mora (4).
20 minutes have passed in Ulm, and the fast and fighting Paraguayans are still tormenting Montenegro - It is currently 10:11 and that is after Marina Rajčić saved the "lion's" goal with several great interventions.
Paraguay responded with two tied goals, so the team from South America leads again (7:6).
Bojana Popović's girls took their first lead after ten minutes of play when Nina Bulatović scored (6:5).
The Paraguayans continue to play well in attack, while Dijana Mugoš is the only one in a good mood in the selection of Montenegro, who scored four of the five goals of our national team (5:5).
Paraguay entered the match well, leading 1:0 and 2:1, but Dijana Mugoš answered both times (2:2).
The match in Ulm has started...
Four months ago in Helsingborg at the World Championship, the Lionesses were convincing against tonight's rival (41:26), but even without that, it is clear that they are big favorites tonight.
Bonus video:
