The women's basketball team of Montenegro is the favorite against Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and Switzerland, but it has to prove it on the field, said coach Jelena Škerović.
The Montenegrin selection begins a new cycle of European Championship qualifiers with a duel with Bosnia and Herzegovina on November 9 in Sarajevo, and three days later they will host Switzerland in Igalo.
Škerović said that she is satisfied with the composition of the group, that Switzerland, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Luxembourg are rivals that we can play with.
"We have an easier group, but we have to play at our level and justify the role of favorites. The goal is to continue the good games from the European Championship (EP). We want to give a chance to younger basketball players in every FIBA window. In this cycle, they will get a chance by two players from the under-16 and under-20 selections," Škerović said at the press conference.
Speaking about the opponent at the start of the qualifiers, she emphasized that they do not know much about the BIH selection.
"They have a new coach, a new game system. We know some players who have been called up before. We will focus on us, on what we need to do in defense and attack. If we succeed, the result will not fail. Švajvarska may not be at a high level, but if she is allowed the opportunity to play her game, we will have problems," Škerović said.
She emphasized that she respects her rivals, but does not doubt her players.
"We are wondering, we are the favorites for the first time, but on the field we need to show who is the boss," Škerović said.
She emphasized that she will not be able to count on the American Nataša Mek and Bojana Kovačević for the upcoming duels.
"Mek had problems with her back, she returned to the training process and should start playing next week. Bojana Kovačević is not with us either, who could not answer the call due to her obligations at the club in China," Škerović said. .
She pointed out that the American Taja Raymer, who prepared for the EP with the Montenegrin national team, is again in the national team.
Škerović previously published a list of 15 female basketball players for the start of the qualification.
The list includes: Milica Jovanović (Dvtk), Marija Leković (Fenerbahce), Jovana Pašić (Asa Jerusalem), Jelena Vučetić (Castors Braine), Božica Mujović (Slavija Banska Bistrica), Dragana Živković (Constanca), Maja Bigović (Buducnost Bemaks). , Zorana Radonjić (Future Bemaks), Ksenija Šćepanović (Future Bemaks). Lana Vukčević (Future Bemaks), Taja Rejmer (Botas spor), Milena Bigović, Future Bemax, Nikolina Ilić (Future Bemaks), Jelena Bulajić (Future Bemaks) and Sanja Akšam (Crvena zvezda) were also invited.
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