First practice and immediately bad news - as soon as the women's handball national team gathered and started preparations for the European Championship, Jelena Radivojević was left without.
As stated by coach Suzana Lazović, the Budućnost defender dropped out for private reasons:
"The latest news is that Jelena cannot help because of family problems. I would not go into details, there are serious matters at stake. I was counting on her, but what is there is," said the coach.
In her place, the pivot player Nikolina Vukčević is on the list.
"I have already invited Nikolina as her replacement, I believe that she will be able to replace her both in defense and in attack, because I think that pivot women can take on a big role in this team," added Lazović.
Montenegro is at a new beginning...
"This is our third gathering and I think we can see everything we need. We followed what the players were doing in the clubs, I believe that through training and preparatory games we will bring it to what we want and that we will be ready for the start of the European Championship".
The Euro starts on November 28, the first rival is Serbia, and the group also includes Romania and the Czech Republic.
"We will prepare for the match with Serbia, later we will turn to Romania. We know what awaits us in the group, Montenegro has the experience of playing with all three teams and it is certainly not an easy task. But, I believe in these girls - in their courage, cohesion, togetherness - that is what has always led us and will lead us to greater results. We will go from match to match - we don't want to promise anything, we just want the girls to give everything, to show that they are "golden lionesses" and if it is like that, I'm sure that the result will not fail", said Suzana.
Defense should be the trademark of this selection as it used to be.
"With the departure of Dragan Adžić, a lot has changed in the team's defensive system. The girls play in different clubs and leagues, with different coaching philosophies, but I'm sure they all remember that from before. We will do everything to return it to them and to remind them, to stimulate what was good and what brought results to Montenegro. That is also my coaching philosophy - defense will be the focus"
Will the roles in the back line change without Jelena Radivojević?
"Every absence is felt, but there are players who can make up for it. We have a lot of defenders, and Milena Raičević is there, as well as everyone in those positions because they are universal and not fixed to one position. We believe that everyone will contribute to make up for Jelena's absence".
Suzana Lazović recently succeeded Bojana Popović on the bench.
"I am happy and excited that I got this chance. It's mine to teach the girls everything they taught me and to pass on to them the energy and fighting spirit I had. I believe in my system, the people around me and the coaching staff, as well as the players. The pressure after the golden year like 2012 is always there, every selector will try to do something like that. It is challenging and I will give everything to return the national team to that path in the future. For certain things, there needs to be patience and faith in what we do", Lazović concluded.
Bonus video:
