Anything is possible when it comes to "lions", miracles are always there - even when few believe in them.
The Montenegrin handball team, which lost to Italy less than a year ago, has now won a point against one of the strongest teams in the world - against Hungary in Tatabanja it was 29:29.
Didier Dinar's men had a shot at winning, but Aleksandar Bakić was unlucky to beat Krištof Palašič with about forty seconds left.
In the end, the huge point to which the "lions" were led by the masterful Branko Vujović practically confirmed that the ticket to the European Championship was in their pocket after only four rounds.
The Lions were down three points (17:14) after the first 30 minutes, and they deserved much more with their play.
The powerful Bence Banhidi tormented our defense, the home team was always in the lead, several times having three goals more, but just like four days ago in "Morača", our national team did not give up.
Two left-handed players Branko Vujović and Stefan Čavor, as well as Radojica Čepić and Miodrag Ćorsović "pulled" the "lions" in attack, and Nikola Matović brought additional energy with several saves after Nebojša Simić did not enter the match in the right way.
There were nice goals and actions like the zeppelins of Vujović and Čepić, so Montenegro had 23:11 in the 11rd minute, and several chances to take the lead, but at 14:14 in the last two minutes of the first half they conceded three quick goals (17:14).
Unlike the first match, Montenegro now opened the second half brilliantly - Aleksandar Bakić, Čavor, Luka Radović and Branko Vujović took a 4:0 run to take an 18:17 lead.
At that moment, with the score at 21:21, Branko Vujović had to go on the bench for three minutes after being diagnosed with an injury, and the Hungarians took advantage of everything and went to 26:21.
Then Simić stepped into the goal again, his miracles began, and the "lions" returned once again.
Bakić and Luka Radović brought another equalizer (28:28), the "lions" had an attack and even the lead with five minutes left, but the ball escaped our players into the outfield, then none of the ones Simić "threw in the counterattack" passed through.
The Hungarians took the lead once again, and then Branko Vujović found Ćorsović with an unreal assist and Montenegro tied the score again two and a half minutes later (29:29).
Bakić had the chance of the game with about forty seconds left, but his shot was saved by Krištof Palašič.
In the end, Hungary could have won, but they didn't - Simić kept the net once again. After all, it wouldn't have been deserved if the outcome had been different.
HUNGARY - MONTENEGRO 29:29 (17:14)
Tatabanja - Multifunctional Hall. Attendance: 6.000. Referees: Mikelić and Paradina (Croatia). 2-pointers: Hungary 1 (3), Montenegro 3 (4). Penalties: Hungary 6, Montenegro XNUMX minutes.
Hungary: Palasic (four saves), Bartuc (six saves), Sipos 1, Boka 3, Krakovski 5, Ligetvari, Gyeri, Fazekas 1, Banhidi 6, Sita 3, Bodo 2, Rosta, Lekai 2 (2), Onodi-Janoskuti 3, Hanus 1, Imre.
Montenegro: Matović (three saves and a 4-meter shot), Simić (six saves), F. Vujović, Bakić 5, Dragašević, Čavor 2, Čepić 3, Ćorsović 8, B. Vujović 1, M. Radović, Kaluđerović, S. Vujović 6, Vujačić, L. Radović 3 (XNUMX), L. Vujović, Pelidija.
Bonus video:
