The first "window" in the Eurobasket qualifiers has been successfully completed - the Montenegrin national basketball team convincingly defeated Sweden 95:70 tonight in "Morača" and recorded its first triumph in the campaign for the continental tournament.
Our selection played better than against Germany, controlled the game from the end of the first quarter and was constantly in the lead, already in the third quarter it had a plus 21 (64:43), so it equalized in the table with tonight's rival, but also with Bulgaria and Germany, since the Bulgarians created a sensation in Botevgrad and beat the world champions (67:62).
After points from Anderson and Gadefors, the Swedes took a 5:3 lead, and after a basket from Borg, they reached the maximum plus five (11:6). In those moments, the guests were well served by shooting for three, they also had several offensive rebounds, but as time went on, Montenegro played better and better. At the end of the first quarter, our team scored eight points (five from Peri and three from Mihailović) and led 25:19.
From that moment, Boško Radović's team controlled the events on the field. The second quarter was much better, the "reds" became better in the jump, the defense was better than in the first quarter, so after the 7:0 series, our team had an eight-point lead (34:26), and after a three-pointer by Mihailović, Crna Gora reached its first double-digit advantage - 45:33.
Radović's team went to the locker room with 50 points scored (50:37), and Peri opened the second half with seven tied points, so the scoreboard quickly read plus 20 (57:37), and after Hadžibegović's triple, plus 21 - 64 :43.
It was then clear that Montenegro would win this match, Sweden tried to alleviate the defeat, at one point it was close to minus 12 (64:52), but our selection again went to plus 21, and in the end had a maximum of 25 extra points (95:70).
Peri was the most effective with 18 points. Simonović had 16 (eight rebounds), Mihailović 13, and Hadžibegović 11 points.
With the Swedes, Enzije was the most effective with 15 points.
The qualifications continue in November, and Montenegro will then play two matches with Bulgaria.
Plus 22, Mihailovic's points - 89:67.
The advantage is growing, points of Slavković - 91:67.
Simonović's points after a jump in the attack - 87:67.
New points of Simonović - 85:64.
Our selection is heading for its first victory in these qualifications.
Plus 21 again, Mihailovic's points - 83:62.
Radovic's easy points - 81:62.
Simonović accurate - 77:60.
Great block by Simonović, he stopped Pancar.
Three-pointer, precise Drobnjak - 75:57!
End of the third quarter.
Perry in a good mood, his third triple - 72:54.
But Pancar returns the triple - 72:57.
Prodor Radović - 69:54.
Troika Simonović - 67:52.
But Anjije played his game, his 13th point - 67:54.
Enjije hits on the counterattack, Sweden came to minus 12 - 64:52.
The Swedes reduce the deficit, Enjie hits for three points - 64:49.
Gaderfors' points - 61:43, then Hadžibegović's third triple - 64:43.
But, the triple was returned by Borg - 64:46.
Nice penetration and points by Hadžibegović - 61:41.
Basket by Anderson after an offensive rebound - 57:39.
Seven tied points by Perry in the second half, plus 20 - 57:37!
Peri's points on the counterattack, after Nikolic's excellent defense - 54:37.
Maximum advantage of our selection!
Points by Perry - 52:37.
Bonus video:
