In 27 matches at the European championships, Montenegrin handball players registered four victories, all against selections from the former Yugoslavia. The first, which was awaited for 12 long years, was achieved on January 11, 2020 against Serbia in Graz (22:21). In Debrecen and Budapest in 2022, they destroyed North Macedonia, Slovenia and Croatia respectively on the way to the best placement in major competitions - 11th place.
On their farewell from the championship of the Old Continent in Germany, the "lions" are waiting for a duel with the only selection against which they have a positive score - Serbia tonight (18 pm). And they also have something to fight for - not only does the neighboring derby always carry an extra dose of charge, but Vlad Šola's chosen team would gain a much better position with a win before the draw for the World Cup in Norway, Denmark and Croatia.
And the "eagles" have a calculation, because with a triumph they would remain in the game for the main stage and depend on whether Hungary will overcome Iceland and drag their southern neighbors with them to the temple of German handball, the "Lankses Arena" in Cologne.
- We play every match for Montenegro as if it were the last in our lives, and it will be the same against Serbia - said the captain of the Lions, Mirko Radović.
After two heartbreaking defeats against Hungary and Iceland, in which they had attacks for draws, even the most experienced "broke down" - Nebojša Simić could not stop the tears, Radović also cried, but it is time to forget that, because the importance the match with Serbia is huge. In the playoffs for the WC, it is certainly much easier to play with anyone from the second hat, especially if it is Serbia or the dangerous Faroe Islands, than with someone from the first, because potential rivals would be Hungary, Iceland, Slovenia, the Netherlands, maybe even and Spain, Sweden...
For the 10th time at the European championships, Montenegrin handball players will play against selections from ex-YU. Against Slovenia and Croatia, they have a score of 1:2, against North Macedonia 1:1, and they are leading against tonight's rival, whom they defeated 2020:22 in Graz, Austria in 21.
- For us, the continuity of participation in major competitions is everything, we live from it, and the cult of the national team is made from it. Therefore, we will also want to win against Serbia in order to secure a more favorable place in the play-off. We will prepare the best and give everything to win - promised Radović.
The "Lions" had a shot for a draw against Hungary and Iceland, but Branko Vujović and Vuko Borozan were unlucky.
- It is simply unbelievable that after such two games we don't even have a point and that the first and last place in the group will be decided by one or two balls. We knew that the group would be hellish, but we were unlucky - emphasized the 33-year-old from Cetinje.
This will be the fourth match between Montenegro and Serbia, and so far all three "signs" have been seen, apart from the victory in Graz, the "lions" also recorded a defeat in Belgrade (25:21) and a draw in Bar (25:25). in the qualifiers for EHF Euro 2016.
In the 1st round in Munich, the Eagles led 27:24 against Iceland in the 59th minute, but conceded three goals in the last 100 seconds. They were defeated by Hungary 28:27 on Sunday, but the match was broken much earlier than the final score would suggest.
- Serbia has shown that it is a competitive team and it will be difficult to play against them. It has excellent pivots, wings and goalkeepers, it will be difficult for us to cope with the Spanish system that plays - warned Stefan Čavor.
The right back of the German team Weclar believes that Montenegro showed in the first two matches that it can play against serious teams, but that it could have done more.
- Both games were uncertain until the very end, but I think we could have done some factors much better. We had a lot of technical mistakes against the Hungarians, less in the duel with Iceland, but the defense had to be better if only some things were respected to the end. We still have the game with Serbia, very important because of the playoffs for the World Cup. We want to end the championship with a victory - concluded Čavor.
Girona: An aggressive rival, Simić is in excellent form
After spilling plus three against Iceland in the last 100 seconds and losing to Hungary, Serbia came to a situation where it depends on others for placement in the main stage. They have to beat Montenegro, and then wait for Hungary's victory over Iceland to extend their hopes of going to the Olympics. Admittedly, it will be very difficult, because in group 1 of the main stage in Cologne, they would play with the "alls" - Germany, France, Croatia and Spain...
- We know that Hungary will want to take two points, but we have to do our part against Montenegro. We are playing against a very aggressive selection, especially in defense. Nebojsa Simić is in excellent shape, but I trust my team. It's up to us to win with enough goals and wait for the outcome in the second game, which is our last chance to go to Cologne - said the coach of the "Eagles" Toni Gerona.
TODAY:
SERBIA - MONTENEGRO (18),
ICELAND - HUNGARY (20.30).
Bonus video:
