A lot has changed since June 2011 and the qualification for the World Cup in Brazil, when Montenegrin handball players scored over 40 goals in one match against the Czech Republic - primarily because the Central European team has improved a lot since then.
Thirteen and a half years later, some new "lionesses" are chasing a victory against the Czech Republic, which would mean going to the main round of the European Championship, but would also mean that Montenegro with two points (which it would transfer) can dream big things in the rest of the tournament.
The match of the last round of group B in Debrecen will be played tonight at 20.30:XNUMX p.m Suzana Lazović even after two triumphs at the start, they are not calm, because in the event of a defeat by three or more goals, an unreal, after everything shown and well-deserved scenario would happen, according to which the European Championship would be over for our national team.
At the same time, a minimum or two-goal defeat would bring the main round without points, but such calculations are not of interest to the "lionesses".
- It is clear that we have to play seriously and win the maximum number of points in the group - the message from Debrecen of our goalkeeper Armel Atingre.
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Ježabkova, Holevova and the selector from Norway
How much the situation in Czech handball has changed since 2011 is also shown by the fact that the national team reached the quarter-finals at the last World Championship (defeated by Montenegro in the match for seventh place), and half a year ago at the pre-Olympic tournament they also fought for a visa to Paris .
- The Czech Republic has a good team, a good coach (Norwegian Benta Dala), and there are also some excellent players - Marketa Ježabkova was once the MVP of the final four of the Champions League, there are good wings, Charlotte Holevova... I expect a real and big fight - Atingre emphasized.
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Montenegro and the Czech Republic played mutual matches, and the "lionesses" celebrated seven times, including two duels at major competitions.
If Serbia had defeated the Czech Republic in the 2nd round of Group B, tonight's match in the "Fenix Arena" would have represented a warm-up for the main round... Nevertheless, after the previous two excellent games, such an outcome should not affect our national team.
- The self-confidence is there, and it is very important that all the girls know that they can contribute to the team - emphasized the former member of the French national team.
Atingre, Marina Rajcic i Marta Batinović, whoever is between the posts, the goal of Montenegro is safe.
- We goalkeepers have a great team that works hard and communicates exceptionally well with each other. As for my releases, I know that I have to maintain my level longer, not to defend well only at times, added Atingre.
"Not everything must fall into the water"
Serbia and Romania practically had no chance against Montenegro, the "lionesses" deserved to wait for the continuation of the competition in Debrecen with two points, so it is clear that they do not want to allow the Czech Republic to spoil everything.
- If we don't win, everything else falls into the water, it's clear Tanja Ivanovic, right back of Montenegro.
However...
- I believe and I know that it will not come to that, our team will do its best, we will "die" in defense and achieve the desired result, added the Budućnosti handball player.
Apart from defense, the advantage of the "lionesses" should be a longer bench, i.e. the fact that Suzana Lazović uses practically all the players.
- Rotation is quite important, and the Czech Republic may not have that. There are good shooting guards, but we know a lot of those players and have already played with them. The key is in our defense, if we play it like in the previous two matches, we will solve the game in our favor without any problems - Ivanović stressed.
"To show the Czech Republic when it is the favorite"
Montenegro enters the match of the last round with two out of two, the Czech Republic has a defeat against Romania and a triumph against Serbia.
- I think we are the favorites, but from the statements of the Czechs, I can see that they see themselves as the favorites, so let's go to prove that this is not the case - he says Ivana Godeč, pivot woman of Montenegro.
And the 23-year-old Budućnosti handball player has no dilemma when it comes to the outcome of tonight's match.
- We want to win all the points and transfer as many of them as possible to the next stage. From the start, I believe that our group is the most difficult, and it is certain that it will be difficult against the Czech Republic, because points are important for both us and them - added Godeč.
Continuation of the competition in Debrecen, but also dreams of the finale in Vienna or something that no one expects - the end after only three rounds. If the "lionesses" are at the level of the previous two matches, the story in the north-east of Hungary will continue.
Bent Dal: Our best handball for Montenegro
Among those who believe that the Czech Republic is not the favorite in the duel with Montenegro is the selector of that representation, Bent Dal.
A big fight is expected...
- We always prepare in the same way, but now we have to work on mental preparation as well, which we really need - said Dal.
An experienced trainer adds:
- Our goal is always to knock down the favorite, so expect a big fight. We know that Montenegro is the favorite, but if we can play our best handball, we will have a chance to win - said the Norwegian expert.
Bonus video:
