The Montenegrin volleyball team put up a good fight against one of the best teams in the Golden League, but could not win more than a set in the duel with Israel - 3:1 (25:27, 25:20, 25:15, 25:21).
The only national team that has won all of its league matches continued its series of triumphs in Strumica, where coach Ivica Jevtić's team will face the hosts, North Macedonia, tomorrow, seeking a victory to stay in the Golden League.
A very good performance by our young team, who was without the help of their most experienced, injured center, Luka Babić, even in the "Park" hall, and only a weaker third set cast a shadow over a fairly good performance.
Jovović and his teammates hinted that they would play well against the powerful Israel in the first set, in which, after an even game over 35 points, they made a 4:0 run, turned the tables and quickly went to +4, leading 23:19, but almost stopped on the edge of the lead. They lacked the experience to bring the set to an end, Israel came back to 23:23, but did not have a set point, and our team used the third, and led 27:25.
Israel continued to show why they are the top seed heading into the final tournament in Brno. By the middle of the second set, our boys were in the lead, when Israel turned the score around with a 4:0 run to 16:14, then managed to resist Montenegro's attacks, and in the end, convincingly tied the score - 25:20.
In the following match, Israel got excited after about twenty points, our team had no solutions for the rival's series, which they turned around with a convincing 25:15, and Peruničić and his teammates were not discouraged by the 10-point deficit in the third set.
Despite Israel's constant lead, our team found a response, managing to get to -2 at the end of the match, but the last three points went to Israel, who won 25:21.
The best game in the selection's debut appearance in the Golden League was played by Đorđe Jovović, who scored 26 points, and Nemanja Peruničić also took advantage of the opportunity, finishing the match with 15 points. Three other players scored points - Ćinćur eight, Đurović six, Hadžisalihović five points. For Israel, Rura had 22 points, and Liberman 20.
Israel won first place with all six wins, and our team will play a practically elimination match tomorrow, also at 20 p.m., against North Macedonia, which they must win in a maximum of four sets to leapfrog them in the standings and secure a chance to compete in the Golden League next season.
MONTENEGRO – ISRAEL 1:3 (27:25, 20:25, 15:25, 21:25)
Strumica - SD “Park”. Spectators: Judges: Hristvov (S. Macedonia), Krticka (Czech Republic).
Montenegro: Dubak, Ćinćur 8, Peruničić 15, Hadžisalihović 7, M. Joksimović, A. Joksimović (libero), V. Milenković, R. Milenković, Lečić, Lojić, Jovović 26, Rovčanin, Đurović 6, Radević (libero). Coach: Ivica Jevtić.
Israel: Liberman 20, Bachakala 7, Goldrin 11, Ariel 1, Maron, Hazan 8, Roitman (libero), Kopilevich, Haver, Rura 22, Halachmi (libero), Chansky. Coach: Itamar Stein.
Bonus video:
