That the Montenegrin handball team had class in the duel with Iceland was evident from the first minute of the match in the "Westfalenhalle" - all that was needed was for the "lionesses" to relax and show it on the court.
After 30 minutes of somewhat tense play, everything came together in the second half, and our national team opened the main round of the World Championship with a victory 36:27 (14:11).
As Serbia had earlier defeated Spain in Dortmund after a sensational turnaround (31:29), it is clear that the road to the quarterfinals is now somewhat easier for Montenegro - a road they will most likely have to travel on Saturday against Dragana Cvijić and her friends.
Before that, the duel with Germany could provide the answer to whether Suzana Lazović's team can reach the knockout stage from first place, which would also mean they would avoid the powerful Norway there. But also whether they will have to fear until the end, if Spain were to defeat the hosts in the final round.
Probably still under the impression of the defeat to Spain at the end of the first round, the "lionesses" failed to create a decisive advantage during the first 30 minutes.
Led by Dijana Trivić, who finished the match without a miss (7/7), our handball players took a 5:3 lead, but also allowed Iceland to quickly come back (5:5). At those moments, Matea Pletikosić "connected" Montenegro's play in attack, captain Đurđina Jauković also started scoring, and Armel Atingre was sure of the goal...
Ivana Godeč's goal completed the 5:0 series for a plus five (10:5), and after Tatjana Brnović's mastery (counterattack, dribbling and an easy goal), our handball team reached the maximum six-goal advantage (13:7).
It seemed that Iceland would have difficulty threatening after that, but by the end of the first half they were down to just minus two (13:11).
However, Jelena Vukčević was sure from the 7-meter, so Montenegro went into the break with 14:11, and from the locker room, she furiously ended the story at the beginning of the second half.
Matea Pletikosić scored another goal after a great solo action, then Nina Bulatović, then Đurđina Jauković and Tatjana Brnović quickly took our national team to 18:11.
There were also attractive goals like the zeppelin of Đurđina Jauković and Dijana Trivić, several times plus 10, and Suzana Lazović gave a chance to the players who played less until the end, so the talented Elena Mitrović scored her first goal in major competitions.
ICELAND - MONTENEGRO 27:36 (11:14)
Dortmund - "Westfalenhalle". Attendance: 5.000. Referees: Mads Hansen and Jesper Madsen. 7-pointers: Iceland 2 (1), Montenegro 1 (1). Suspensions: Montenegro 8 minutes.
Iceland: Renotudotir (one selected), Helgadotir (one selected), Asgeirsdotir 6, D. Magnusdotir 3, Elijahsdotir 1, Torkelsdotir 1, Tompson, Erlingsdotir 3, E. Magnusdotir 6, D. Gudmundsdotir 6, Asmundsdotir, Jensludotir, 1 Odsdotir Hagalin, R. Gudmundsdotir.
Montenegro: Atingre (six saves), M. Marsenić (save and 7-meter), A. Marsenić, Mitrović 1, Jauković 5, Pletikosić 3, Godeč 2, Trivić 7, Džaferović 2, Vukčević 3, Božović 1, Brnović 7, Bulatović 1, Tatar, Pavicevic, Grbić 4.
END - a safe and important victory at the start of the main round (36:27).
With two minutes left, Montenegro is heading for a sure victory, and Suzana Lazović gave a chance to the players who played less during the championship (34:26).
The Montenegrin handball team completely relaxed in the second half, with goals coming from all positions, so with ten minutes left the Lionesses have a plus 10 (31:21).
The "lions" are also making attractive moves - Đurđina Jauković's zeppelin for the unerring Dijana Trivić (25:17).
Atingre is in goal again.
The "Lionesses" advantage is growing, Dijana Trivić five out of five, Montenegro is up nine (23:14).
The fourth goal from the same number of attempts by Dijana Trivić, followed by a goal by Katarina Džaferović for a new maximum advantage (21:13).
Perfect opening of the second half - Matea Pletikosić with another goal after a great solo action, then Nina Bulatović, then Đurđina Jauković and Tatjana Brnović for the biggest lead of the match - 18:11.
Marija Marsenić was in goal in the second half.
Iceland's threat was "rejected" by Jelena Vukčević with a goal from the seven-meter mark at the end of the first half, so Montenegro went into the break with a three-goal lead (14:11).
The Iceland - Montenegro series was plus six, now it is only plus two (13:11).
Mastery by Tatjana Brnović - counterattack, great feint and goal for the biggest lead so far (13:7).
Captain Jauković was also excellent in attack in this match - her third goal for 12:7.
Ivana Godeč also scores - series 5:0 for plus five (10:5).
Montenegro goes up four for the first time (9:5) - Dijana Trivić scored after an assist from Đurđina Jauković. Our left wing is without a miss so far (3/3).
An excellent response from Matea Pletikosić and two goals from our center back, and a masterful goal from Đurđina Jauković, meant Montenegro again went three goals ahead (8:5).
Montenegro had a 5:3 lead, but Iceland made it 5:5 after another goal by Gudmundstodir from a counterattack.
Great goal by Katarina Džaferović, Montenegro leads 4:2.
Iceland's first goal came after almost nine minutes - Gudmundstodir scored from a counterattack.
The second goal arrived soon after, reducing the Icelanders' lead to 3:2.
Seven minutes have passed and Iceland is still scoreless - two shots were taken by Atingre.
Meanwhile, another goal by Dijana Trivić, the "lionesses" lead 3:0.
Montenegro reaches 2:0 - Dijana Trivić and Tatjana Brnović scored, Iceland is scoreless for four and a half minutes.
Bonus video:
