Simić: Slovenia is a clear favorite, they are stronger than in January

The Montenegrin handball team will face Slovenia in the first World Championship playoff match on Thursday (18) at the "Mtel Morača Hall" (the second is on Sunday in Koper), and ahead of those matches, the "lions'" goalkeeper Nebojša Simić says that the Slovenians are clear favorites.

After a poor performance at the European Championship, the "Lions" had to play matches against Finland in the second round of the World Handball Championship qualifiers. That obstacle was successfully overcome, and Simić and his teammates will face Slovenia on the final step towards the championship. But the final step is also the most difficult.

"Anything is possible, we've played against Slovenia many times - both in championships and qualifiers. There have been close matches, like the last one at the European Championship. There is a real chance that we can do something, although honestly speaking I think they are clear favorites," said goalkeeper Nebojša Simić.

Montenegro last played a match against Slovenia in January at the European Championship, when they were defeated 41:40.

"They will be much stronger now than in January, it changes the whole picture. They play atomic handball, there is a lot of running, we have to be ready to score 30 to 35 goals and concede the same number. They can easily score more than 40 goals. We have to physically chase them down in both matches."

The stakes are high - qualifying for the World Cup.

"When someone else is the favorite, you are always relieved. If you lose, then you say the favorite won against us. But I look at it differently. Whether they are the favorite or not, the question is whether you go to the World Cup or not. That is the main topic. We need to fight. For me, they are not a desirable team, who came to us in the play-offs, I would rather play against Hungary. Slovenia plays a lot of one-on-one, imposes a strong pace, has big players in the central block, which does not suit a shooting team like us. However, previous duels against them show that we have a chance," Simić pointed out.

Simić also spoke about the future of the national team.

"We are far behind other national teams, we have not released a single serious player after our greatest success at the European Championship. Switzerland is far ahead of us, the Faroe Islands have released two top players, Croatia has released four or five players... There is mention of a regional league, if we take it seriously and make a good plan, to be represented by two clubs that will seriously represent us, and which will allow younger players to prove that we can move forward," Simić assessed.

He points out that one chance has already been missed.

"I think that a big chance has been missed for this generation, because we have no indication that any young players will emerge. I am at an age where my body is no longer what it used to be. Someone needs to come in to replace me, to leave it in the right hands," said Simić.