November 2022, XNUMX was a day that handball lovers in Montenegro can hardly forget. Then the "lionesses" performed a miracle in Ljubljana, defeated the great France in the duel for third place and reached the European bronze, which at that moment was deservedly celebrated as if the most brilliant medal had been brought to Podgorica.
A little more than two years have passed since then, and our handball players are facing a challenge in which they will try to repeat something similar - the complicated road to the finals of the European Championship starts tonight (20.30:XNUMX p.m.) from Debrecen. And the rival is well known - the selection of Serbia, with which Montenegro last met in February and March.
The start of a big competition can often determine a lot about its continuation, and the selected Suzana Lazović, who makes her debut on the bench after succeeding Bojana Popović three months ago, knows that. Popović left the national team after Montenegro missed the Olympic Games in Paris, so it can be said that our selection is at a new beginning - with new energy next to the field, but also on it...
- We can't wait for the championship to start - says goalkeeper Marina Rajčić.
- We are playing against Serbia, which we met twice in the qualifiers and we know what to expect.
"THE RIGHT THINGS HAPPEN AT THE RIGHT TIME"
Montenegro won both duels against Serbia in the qualifiers for the European Championship - they celebrated with minimal results in Zrenjanin and Podgorica. Our selection is now stronger than it was in those matches, but it is clear that tonight is a completely different story because the stakes are much higher.
- I played with several players from Serbia in clubs and I know what quality they have. They are led by coach Uroš Bregar and it will not be an easy match because it opens the championship. However, we will fight and we will prepare every match as if it were the final - said Rajčić.
Montenegro dreams of a medal, everyone would sign for the outcome to be the same as in 2022.
- I always believe in success and I never went to the championship if I didn't believe in it. Of course, sometimes that result did not come, but the right things always happened at the right time. I hope it will be like that this time as well - said Marina Rajčić.
KATARINA READY FOR A BIG COMEBACK
Katarina Džaferović is expected to shine in the national team jersey after many problems with injuries.
- I subordinated my complete recovery to this - the biggest reward is coming to the European Championship. I'm trying to put my emotions aside and not burn out with desire, because it's been three years since I've been in the national team. I can't wait for everything to start - points out the defender of Romanian Craiova.
Unlike some previous actions, Montenegro is stronger for Milena Raičević and Đurđina Jauković, while Jelena Radivojević is missing for private reasons. Thus, from the first day of preparations, Suzana Lazović included pivot player Nikolina Vukčević on the list instead of her.
- I don't think any player has an iota of doubt in themselves and what we can achieve together. I believe in the girls and the professional staff, I hope that all this will pay off for us - added Katarina.
He believes that there can hardly be any surprises between Montenegrin and Serbian handball players.
- I am very excited before the first match. Most of us play with one of the players from Serbia, I am a teammate with two of them. We all know each other well and the team that is wiser will win - concluded Kaća Džaferović.
The group also includes Romania and the Czech Republic, and the two first-placed teams will secure placement in the main round. Montenegro will play Romania in the second round on Sunday (18:20.30 p.m.), while they will meet the Czech Republic on Tuesday (XNUMX:XNUMX p.m.).
In the second 1st round of our group B, Romania and the Czech Republic will play (18 p.m.).
BREGAR: WE KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT MONTENEGRO
Serbian handball players want the same thing as Montenegro - to enter the championship in the right way.
Serbian coach Uroš Bregar knows our selection well, he notes how important the return to the team of the tandem Milena Raičević - Đurđina Jauković is.
- The two of them are back, which will be more difficult for us because they are experienced players. However, we will try to make a surprise with tactical changes compared to what is expected of us - said Bregar.
There is no doubt that it will be a big fight in Debrecen.
- We have an open match waiting for us and it would be good to open the European Championship with a win. We know everything about Montenegro, but that doesn't mean we underestimate it, far from it. We met twice in the qualifiers, in both games we were defeated by a goal difference, and I hope that we will play better now, as well as that we will have more luck - said the Slovenian expert.
Captain Jovana Risović has no dilemma:
- A stronger defense and a smaller number of technical errors will decide - said the goalkeeper of Serbia.
Bonus video:
