Whether it was because they arrived in Ulm less than 24 hours before the first match or because they were relaxed against the easiest rival, only the "lionesses" looked "sleepy", often even executed at the start of the pre-Olympic tournament.
In the end, the Montenegrin handball players defeated their rival, whom they defeated 41:26 just four months ago at the World Championship, with a plus five - thanks to a good game only at the end of the first part of the game.
The victory against Paraguay was registered (30:25), but due to the game shown by Montenegro in the German city on the Danube, the Olympic rounds and Paris seem very far away.
During the weekend, decisive battles and duels with much more serious selections - Germany and Slovenia - begin, and there are only two free seats left on the plane to the City of Light.
- In the next 48 hours, some things will have to change, so that we can hope for something and expect something - she said. Itana Grbić.
DON'T MISS IT
- It is difficult to play games for which we have prepared less and for which it is most important to finish and then everything turns out like this. The girls' heads were turned towards Saturday, and that can't be done - maybe Norway and other national teams can do it, but not us yet - continued the coach Bojana Popović.
Small, fast and fighting Paraguayans, led by a tandem Maria Fernandes Estigaribia - Fernando Mora, from the start they "tormented" our selection, until the 25th minute it was practically a goal for a goal, and the "lionesses" kept the game Diana Mugoš (seven goals in the first half) and goalkeeper Marina Rajcic with some great interventions.
In those moments, the head coach of Paraguay Marisa Alejandra Servin she asked for a time-out, which turned out to only help Montenegro - with a 6:0 series, she went to the break with 17:12.
It seemed that the torture was over, but the same story continued in the second half, so the Paraguayans first came back into the match with a 3:0 series, and then practically believed in the sensation until the end, and had several attacks to equalize...
- I don't know who expected it to be easy, we're not sure - Itana added.
- Even at the last World Cup, we were even with them until the 40th minute. From championship to championship, they play better and are more technically trained, and they are a team that does not suit us, because they have a fast flow of the ball and small players.
Jelena Despotović with two hits, Ivona Pavićević one, and from his half Tatjana Brnović they ensured a peaceful finish for the Montenegrin national team...
- We have to remember that we are playing for the Olympic Games and that we have to change everything and attitude and attitude - Itana is clear.
Germany is the rival on Saturday, and Slovenia on Sunday. The German women opened the tournament with a 31:25 victory over the Slovenian women.
- All the girls are fine, which is the most important thing. Now we are preparing for what awaits us in the weekend, because then it will be a different picture when European handball is played - emphasized Bojana Popović.
MONTENEGRO - PARAGUAY 30:25 (17:12)
Neu-Ulm - "Ratiofarm Arena". Spectators: 700. Judges: Ko and Lee (South Korea). Sevens: Montenegro 3 (2), Paraguay 2 (1). Suspensions: Montenegro 4, Paraguay 4 minutes.
Montenegro: Rajčić (six saves), Atingre (six saves), Marsenić 4, Pletikosić, Mugoša 9 (2), Ćorović, Popović, Ivanović 1, Brnović 3, Bulatović 2, Klikovac, Despotović 5, Pavićević 2, Kepić, Grbić 4, Vukcevic.
Paraguay: M. Viljalba, Ocampos (6 saves), Acuña 3, Insfran 9 (2), Gonsales, Leiva 1, S. Viljalba, Fernandes 5, Bogdanof, Quinones, Lugo 2, Torres, Viljasboa, Portillo 5 (1), Samaniego , Jimenez.
Bonus video:
