Since December 2010, when they played at the EHF Euro in Denmark and Norway, Montenegrin handball players have not missed a single major competition. There were as many as 17 of them - seven world and European championships each and three participations in the Olympic Games.
Whether that streak will continue will be clear on April 14, when the qualifying tournament for the Olympic Games ends in Ulm, where the "lionesses" will fight for two places in Paris with home team Germany, Paraguay and Slovenia. But, long before that, it will be clear that Montenegro will win the 18th major competition, because a miracle of miracles would have to happen if it does not qualify for the championship of the Old Continent organized by Hungary, Austria and Switzerland.
All formalities could be completed tonight, if elected Bojana Popović in the "Crystal Hall" in Zrenjanin, they beat the biggest rival for the 1st place in group 6, Serbia (the match starts at 18 p.m.).
The girls who won 7th place at the recent World Championships in Denmark, Sweden and Norway are convinced that they can beat the team Uros Bregara, which was completely rejuvenated last year.
- I expect the most difficult match in the group, we are playing against the best rival. Serbia has shown many times that it is an excellent team and that it fights until the end. It will be a demanding match, I expect good handball - said Itana Grbić.
The Lionesses opened the qualifiers with victories over Turkey in the Bemax Arena (39:23) and Bulgaria in Shumen (34:20), so they have a point more than their big rival with whom they will close the doubleheader on Sunday in Podgorica.
- Serbia has several more experienced players who are now old enough to take on leading roles, such as Andjela Janjusevic, Sanja Radosavljević, Jovana Risović... All the others are young, eager to prove themselves. We expect a full house and I believe that they and we will enjoy playing in front of full stands - added the center back of Crimea.
Although it is clear that the visa for the EHF Euro cannot slip away, because two teams from eight groups and the four best third-placed teams are going to the championship, the "lionesses" only think about winning.
- There are no calculations, let's go for two points - Grbić is clear.
He will make his debut in Zrenjanin in the jersey of Montenegro Armel Atingre, who is already in the fourth season in Buducnost Bemax, and was also part of Popović's coaching staff at the European Championship in 2022.
- She has been with us for years, we know her very well... We are very happy, and she herself knows how we accepted her and it is certain that she will mean a lot to us - concluded the 27-year-old woman from Podgorica.
The double match with Serbia, as well as the matches with Turkey and Bulgaria on April 3 and 7, respectively, will be a warm-up for the generation test - the qualification tournament for the Olympic Games from April 11 to 14. The Lionesses, however, do not want to be burdened with it.
- Qualifications for the European Championship are happening now and the focus is on them. Once this is over, then we'll move on to Olympic qualification. We will be 100 percent in that, as we are now 100 percent in this - she said Diana Mugoš.
The girl who shines in the Romanian University from Craiova knows what awaits her teammates and her in Zrenjanin.
- We expect a good and strong match. We want to enter with good energy, fighting spirit and to win two points. Serbia is a young team, fighting and still playing at home. I am sure that our opponents will fight to the end, because they are eager to prove themselves, so it will certainly not be an easy game - emphasized the lucid left wing.
GROUP 6
Today
18.00h Serbia - Montenegro
Yesterday
Bulgaria - Turkey 24:30
Bonus video:
