Montenegrin handball players played their first two matches at the European Championship perfectly - two wins and four points were what Suzana Lazović's players wanted before the trip to Debrecen.
The plan worked, the "lionesses" showed their teeth, so after a convincing victory over Serbia (24:18), Romania was also defeated - it was more difficult than on Friday at the opening of the Euros, but well deserved - 27:25.
Our selection did not repeat the great edition in defense, it allowed the rival a series of goals that it shouldn't have, but the attack did the job, with Armel Atingre between the posts, who had several important interventions when Montenegro made the difference...
What is not ideal for our team is the situation in the table, because all the good things they did in the first 120 minutes of handball in this competition must be confirmed tomorrow against the Czech Republic, which was better than Serbia - if Montenegro celebrates, it will go from first place to the main round and transfer two points to the newly formed group 1.
A defeat of up to three goals would also guarantee a place, with the fact that they would not transfer a point, and a more convincing one would mean elimination.
"We will not look back on the match between Serbia and the Czech Republic, but we will prepare as best as possible for the duel that awaits us," said Suzana Lazović after the second victory in the group.
Montenegro opened the game very well and used the first eight attacks. Dijana Mugoša was then safe three times from seven meters, so very quickly the scoreboard read 7:2, then 8:3...
And then - a drop in energy in the defense and the return of Romania, which easily reached the series 6:0 and the first advantage (9:8) before our selection delivered an identical blow - scored six goals in a row and led 14:9, and on big break left with a good supply of four hits (16:12).
The beginning of the second part was "brought" by Matea Pletikosić, who used the first three attacks of Montenegro, so our national team had an advantage of at least plus four until the middle of the half. But the match was such that a new reaction from the Romanian women could be expected and it was seen.
Six minutes before the end, captain Lorena Ostase reduced the score to 24:22, and the opponent had the last chance to get back into the game a little more than a minute before the end, when Marta Batinović saved Anđela Stojka's shot with the help of a block to make the score 27:25.
"The most important thing is that we won. If we were to compare the game with Serbia and the defense against Romania - it is far from the quality it should be. We expected that Romania would not give up until the last minute and I am happy that the girls remained stable until the end." pointed out Suzana Lazović.
The Czech Republic is a rival on Tuesday from 20.30:XNUMX.
"The defense was a little lacking, but I hope that this will not be the case in the next game. In the last duel in the group, we should again give our best and correct what was not good against Romania," the coach added.
Montenegro scored 27 goals, and without the help of Milena Raičević, who was injured in the duel with Serbia...
"We missed Milena, but at the European and world championships the bench is important, because the matches are played day after day. Not even the most prepared player can play 60 minutes and it is up to us to make a good rotation at the right moment and for each girl to contribute in her own way as it should be," Suzana Lazović is clear.
MONTENEGRO - ROMANIA 27:25 (16:12)
Debrecen - "Phoenix Arena". Spectators: Judges: Backović, Palačković (Slovenia). Sevens: Montenegro 5 (5), Romania 2 (2). Suspensions: Montenegro 8, Romania 8 minutes.
Montenegro: Rajčić (one save), Atingre (seven saves), Batinović (one save), Jauković 4 (1), Pletikosić 4, Godeč, Mugoša 8 (3), J. Vukčević 2 (1), Ivanović 2, Brnović 3, Bulatović, Džaferović, Tatar, Raičević, Pavićević 3, Grbić 1.
Romania: Kurmenc (eight saves), Hosu (two saves), Stojka 4, Kotec 1, Bazaliju 3 (2), Nekula, Bukur, Dindiligan 2, Bojćuk, Ostase 4, Serafićeanu 6, Borš, Popa 3, Gogirla 1, Lupei 1, Terrible.
Bonus video:
