Montenegro did not manage to win a ticket to Vienna, but despite the defeat, the night in Debrecen was full of emotions - with great heart and character Đurđine Jauković farewell to the handball legend Milena Raičević.
The "Lionesses" bid farewell to the European Championship with a dramatic defeat by Sweden (25:24), they failed to fight for another match and fight for 5th place, but after the last 60 minutes in the north-east of Hungary, hardly anyone can give them anything hold grudges.
Immediately after the game in which, due to injury, she only scored two sevens (she did not use one in the finish), captain Milena Raičević announced that her great career had come to an end.
- I'm ending my career, I'm happy that it happened with the national team when she's no longer in the Budućnosti jersey - said Milena, and at the age of 35 she put an end to her magnificent story during which she was the heroine of the European gold of Montenegro, one of the most deserving of the historic Olympic silver, the girl who won the Champions League twice in the Buducnosti jersey.
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And, the farewell of the legend arrived after the handball war during all 60 minutes in Debrecen.
Chosen women Suzana Lazović they made a lot of mistakes in their excessive desire to bring their country another match at the EHF Euro and take a step towards the next World Cup, but they refused to give up with unreal combativeness.
On the other hand, girls Thomas Aksner they used mistakes and mostly led, they also had a big 11:7 during the first part, but after the time-out by Suzana Lazović, Montenegro won with a series of 4:0 and on the wings Itane Grbić completely back in the match.
Sweden was in the lead even after that, only for Đurđina Jauković to equalize with a bomb 30 seconds before the end of the first 30 minutes at 14:14.
Sweden had the advantage in the rest of the game (plus three at the most), and Đurđina Jauković - who tore the anterior cruciate ligament of her left leg twice in two years - had different plans.
Her bombs, nine goals and defensive play kept Montenegro in the game, and led to an attack for a draw that would have meant a trip to Vienna, but this time luck was not on the side of the "lionesses".
- Đina came back in September and immediately showed leadership and extra quality - said coach Suzana Lazović.
Sweden is going to Vienna for the match for 5th place, Montenegro has some upcoming tournaments where the "lionesses" will have more to show...
SWEDEN - MONTENEGRO 25:24 (14:14)
Debrecen - "Phoenix Arena". Spectators: 1.000. Referees: Barisas and Petrušis (Lithuania). Sevens: Sweden 4 (2), Montenegro 2 (1). Suspensions: Sweden 6, Montenegro 6 minutes.
Sweden: Bundsen (12 goals), Ride, Lerbi 5 (1), Stremberg 1, Blom 1, Roberts 5, Aksner 1, Dano, Lindkvist 4, Hagman 6 (1), Torleifsdotir, Hvenfelt, Hanson 1, Karlson 1, Lefkvist , Peterson-Bergsten.
Montenegro: Atingre (five saves and seven goals), Batinović (two saves), Jauković 9, Pletikosić 1, Godeč, Mugoša 2, J. Vukčević, Ivanović 1, Brnović 4, Bulatović 1, Džaferović, Tatar, Raičević 1 (1) , Pavićević, Grbić 5, N. Vukčević.
Bonus video:
