Three competitive matches were played by the Montenegrin women's handball team in 2025, each against the same rival, and the outcome was always identical - victory.
Portugal was not a problem for the "Lionesses" this time either, perhaps just a good test match before the World Cup which starts at the end of next month.
Our national team celebrated 29:22 at the start of the EHF Euro 2026 qualifiers.
If there was any uncertainty in the "Bemax Arena", it arrived at the beginning of the match when the Portuguese took a 3:2 lead, but everything after that was in the colors of Montenegro.
The two captains, Đurđina Jauković and Tatjana Brnović, were unstoppable, Dijana Trivić (formerly Mugoša) was too fast for the selection from the Iberian Peninsula, and the play of right back Katarina Džaferović was particularly pleasing (five goals from six attempts).
Already in the 15th minute, after one of her goals, Suzana Lazović's team went up three for the first time (9:6), and by the break the scoreboard showed 17:11.
In the following minutes, after Dijana Trivić stole the ball and scored another goal, the "lionesses" were at 20:13, Matea Pletikosić also got into the game, Marija Marsenić was excellent between the posts, so it was already clear that after the April play-off matches for the World Cup, our handball players would once again celebrate against the Portuguese.
How dominant they were was also shown by winger Dijana Trivić's goal from the full-back position, which also made Suzana Lazović smile. Incidentally, the coach gave a chance to all the players in this match, including two debutants Natalija Lekić and Elena Mitrović.
The first step towards a ninth consecutive appearance at the European Championships has been taken, the second should happen in three days in the place where Montenegrin football players recently survived a debacle - in the Faroe Islands.
Iceland is also in the qualifying group, and the two best teams from all six groups and the four best third-place teams will advance to the Euro, which will be organized by five countries (Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Turkey) at the end of 2026.
CRNA GORA - PORTUGAL 29:22 (17:11)
Podgorica - "Bemax arena", Attendance: 1.100. Referees: S. Jončev and Z. Jončev (Bulgaria). 7-pointers: Montenegro 6 (6), Portugal 1 (1). Suspensions: Montenegro 4, Portugal 4 minutes.
Montenegro: Atingre (three saves), M. Marsenić (eight saves), A. Marsenić, Mitrović, Lekić, Jauković 8 (3), Pletikosić 5 (2), Godeč, Trivić 6 (1), Džaferović 5, Vukčević 2, Božović, Brnović 3, Tatar, Pavicevic, Kepic.
Portugal: Ferreira (eight saves), Rosa (one save), Goiš, Gouveia 1, Monteiro 2, Sequeira 2 (1), Lima 1, N. Rodrigues, P. Rodrigues, Rebelo 4, Souza 1, Jesus, Rezende 3, Mincuña, Figeiredo 6, Moreno 2.
Bonus video:
