The story that started 14 years ago in cold Aarhus continues this winter in Debrecen - Montenegrin handball players will start the eighth European Championship in exactly nine days.
Two days ago, the Lionesses started their final preparations for the EHF Euro, which is jointly organized by Austria, Hungary and Switzerland, and before the new big battles they have one big wish.
- From the first game we want to show desire and fight and to be everything that the "lionesses" have been during all these years - said the captain Milena Raičević and emphasized:
- We don't want to put pressure on ourselves, we didn't do that even when we won big medals.
For Montenegro always with the heart
The first match in the "Phoenix Arena" of the chosen one Suzana Lazović will play against Serbia on November 29, followed by matches with Romania and the Czech Republic - the two best teams advance to the main round, which will also be played in Debrecen.
- The group is equal, and the opponents are known - both they to us, and we to them. I believe that, first of all, through training and match preparations, we will analyze and correct the things we are preparing for the championship. We promise to fight and what we always say in slang - leaving your heart on the field. The Lionesses have always done it and I promise that it will be the same this time - added Milena.
The EHF Euro will also be a return to the big national team scene for the captain after she skipped last year's World Championship and qualification for the Olympic Games due to well-known reasons related to the "Future case".
- The feeling is euphoric - of course I'm excited, I haven't been there for a certain period. Always when I play for the national team, I play, first of all, with my heart. The fact that I have been without matches for a while does not mean anything to me, because I always perform the same for the national team - Raičević is clear.
Maybe it's the last competition, and maybe the fourth medal
Milena has been among the "lionesses" practically since the beginning, she also played at the mentioned Euro 2010 in Denmark, with the "lionesses" she went through the greatest successes and failures... Now she is slowly approaching the end of her career, so the next tournament could be her last one in her favorite jersey.
- Every athlete who is nearing the end of his career wants to show and give the most of himself, this desire is certainly present in me. I don't know how much I will play yet, but at this championship I want to do my best and show the energy I had throughout my career even now. Maybe it will be the last, maybe not. You never know - emphasized the captain.
And maybe a fourth medal will arrive?
- Maybe - added the legendary handball player.
On the way to the Euro in the qualifiers, the Lionesses twice defeated their first rival, who is waiting for them in Debrecen.
- Those two games against Serbia were not at all easy even though we won, so we will have to prepare carefully. We are in a better composition than we were then, but it does not necessarily mean that it will be an easier game. We have to devote ourselves as much as possible to that opponent - Milena is clear.
The same is the case with other rivals.
- It's the same with the Romanian women, we know very well how strong their league is and that they have great potential. Their composition has been changed a lot, but we must not think that it will be easy against them. It will certainly not be easy with the Czech Republic, which is always unpredictable and makes a surprise at every championship. We don't want to be part of that surprise - underlined Raičević.
The task is to pass the first round
With Milena, the next Euro will mark the return of i Marta Batinović who tore the anterior cruciate ligament during last year's World Cup.
- Unfortunately, I had two operations, one immediately in December, the second at the beginning of July, because my meniscus ruptured after stitching. I got through it, now I'm here and I'm happy. It was difficult, of course, but I knew I would come back and I'm happy that I have the chance to go to the European Championship again and to be with my team - says our goalkeeper.
Montenegro will have a strong goalkeeping line at the European Championship - alongside Marta, there are Marina Rajčić and Armel Atingre.
- We are healthy, we have been defending for a long time and we are experienced. The most important thing is that we play good defense, because then it's easier for us. The more aggressive the girls in front of us are, the easier it will be for us to score - pointed out Marta.
And the Montenegrin goalkeeper believes that the Lionesses are expecting a tough group.
- There are no easy ones at the European championships, because they are the most difficult competitions. We want to beat Serbia first, then Romania, and then play the Czech Republic. Our task is to pass the first round and then to fight for something more. We play for our country and that's the most important thing - clear Batinović.
It's strange when Suzana is the selector
Marta, just like several other "lionesses", cooperates with Suzana Lazović for the first time as a selector - together they used to form a rampart in front of the goal of Budućnost.
- It was strange when she became a coach, because she played with us. But we're all professionals here and we do the job as well as possible, whoever is in that position.
In this tournament, the Lionesses are defending their bronze medal from the last one.
- We're not going to talk about that... We're going step by step, the most important thing is that we win the first game, that it gives us confidence. This team is young and has a lot of years ahead of it, so the most important thing is that the first phase passes - concluded Marta Batinović.
The Lionesses are in Slovenia from today, where tomorrow they will have a test match with the national team of that country.
Bonus video:
