The OTP Group Budućnost handball team was defeated today in Podgorica by Debrecen (25:24) at the start of the new season in the Champions League.
Bojana Popović's team led, on several occasions by three points, but the Hungarian team always came back and eventually triumphed.
"A physically difficult game, we knew it would be like that. We haven't played a game like this since February, so we know what awaits us. Most of the players felt tired, we don't have the match pool to be in playing form. Then during the game we had to rotate with substitutions, which was felt on the field. We didn't realize some chances when the game was breaking down. We can't miss those shots. We lost the game physically, because it felt like Debrecen had two lineups, that they could physically carry the game, and we couldn't," Popović said after the match.
Popović also emphasized that the team needs to have better focus and concentration.
"Most of the players need to be better with focus and concentration - both in execution and in some tactical situations, where we need to know what we are doing. Let's move on - physically the game was lost, Debrecen was more physically dominant and we couldn't keep up with that," said Popović.
Itana Grbić finished the match with seven goals.
"There is regret. I think Debrecen broke the game in the last few minutes. In the last few actions, inexperience was visible, but that is a lesson for all of us. We will see where we made mistakes, and keep the good things. We wore ourselves out a lot, but I am happy that we fought until the end and had an active result with a strong and quality team, which plays in Hungary in a Wednesday-Saturday rhythm," said Grbić.
Grbić also reflected on the brilliant goalkeeping performance of Andrea Škerović, who got a chance in the second half, saved several shots and finished the match with six saves.
"I'm happy with Andrea Škerović and her entry, she saved a few shots and I have to praise her," said Grbić.
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