Spain 2013 and Poland ten years later remain the only two countries in which Montenegro has participated in the world championships. Germany 2027 was both close and far away, but the fact remains that our country's handball players did not disappoint against one of the strongest teams in the world.
After losing one in Podgorica, the "Lions" were defeated by Slovenia in Koper - 31:29. Although they had an attack in the final minute to equalize and probably caused a total frenzy in the "Arena Bonifika".
The World Cup remains a dream, but after the shipwreck at the January EHF Euro, the play-offs for the world championship brought positive things and at least showed that the Montenegrin handball players have returned to the old fanaticism that has adorned them over the years.
The clash in Koper was similar to the first match, the "dragons" quickly took the lead, and the "lions" chased the result, often coming close to catching it, but in those moments either Klemen Ferlin in goal or Blaž Janc in the home team's attack would shine.
The first half of the second leg brought a practically mirror image of the game at "Morača". This time Slovenia was up 16:9, but from that moment on - just like in Podgorica - the "lions" seemed to wake up and start playing.
Right winger Vojislav Vukić showed that he could be counted on, scoring twice, this time against the miraculous Klemen Ferlin (the second goal was a masterpiece), and Miloš and Branko Vujović also scored, so the scoreboard in the Bonifika Arena at the end of the first half showed 16:14.
It's a shame that the Lions' surge was interrupted by a seven-meter throw and a goal by Aleks Vlaho at the end of the 30th minute for 17:14.
However, Didier Dinar's team did not change their approach in the second half, Aleksandar Bakić brought new freshness, and Nikola Matović showed Ferlin that Montenegro also has a goalkeeper who knows how to lift the team with his saves.
Our national team was approaching at 19:18 and 21:20, but Slovenia once again showed its quality when it seemed to have broken the match at 28:23.
However, Branko Vujović and his friends didn't think so...
Aleksandar Bakić, Miloš Vujović, Čepić and above all Matović once again brought Montenegro back into the game with miraculous saves, and Stefan Čavor scored in the 58th minute for minus one (30:29).
The "Lions" then had an attack to equalize, but the Slovenian defense did a great job, so Čepić's shot from a passive attack was easy work for Ferlin, who made his 19th save and put an end to Montenegro's dreams.
The World Cup remained a dream, but the "lions" deserved applause - both from hundreds of our fans in Koper, and from everyone else in Montenegro.
SLOVENIA - MONTENEGRO 31:29 (17:14)
Koper - "Arena Bonifika". Attendance: 4.500. Referees: Barisas and Petrusis (Lithuania). 7-pointers: Slovenia 6 (5), Montenegro 2 (2). Suspensions: Slovenia 2, Montenegro 6 minutes.
Slovenia: Vujović, Ferlin (19 saves), Blagotinšek 5, Janc 5, Jovicič, Kodrin 4, Zarabec 4, A. Makuc, Horžen 3, Cokan, Mlivić, D. Makuc, Rozman, Novak 2, Vlah 8, Suholežnik.
Montenegro: Matović (11 saves), Simić (save and 7-meter), F. Vujović, Glendža, A. Bakić 6, M. Vujović 4, Čavor 2, Čepić 4, Ćorsović 3, B. Vujović 5, Vukić 2, L. Vujović, Vujačić, Lončar, Pelidija 1, M. Bakić 2.
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