Not so great 60 minutes at the start of the pre-Olympic tournament for the Montenegrin handball players.
They defeated Paraguay (30:25) and only the result counts as positive from the duel with the South American team, which created a lot of problems for Bojana Popović's team with its atypical style of handball.
Now there are two key matches at the tournament in Ulm, and the next opponent is Germany - the host, who in the first round justified the role of favorite and defeated the Slovenia of our Dragan Adžić (31:25).
That role also belongs to the Germans on Saturday (14.15:XNUMX p.m.), but Montenegro is ready for a big fight, says pivot Bobana Klikovac.
"Germany is a strong, determined team and no player should be underestimated. The Germans have good wings, backs, goalkeepers, pivots and are very well covered in all positions. I expect a tough game, we have to prepare well and play calmly in attack, which could be the key to victory. With, of course, a strong defense", said Bobana Klikovac.
With a victory, Montenegro would take a step towards the Olympic Games, where the two best teams from the tournament in Ulm will meet.
"We are aware of how much victory brings and these are the matches of our lives. Each of us dreams of going to the Olympic Games - for some it would be the first time, and for some it would be the fourth time", adds Bobana and looks forward to the full stands in tomorrow's duel.
"It's always nice when you play in front of a lot of fans. It is a wind at our back as much as it is for the Germans. I hope that we will also have support, it would mean a lot to us", said Klikovac.
She also referred to the duel with the Paraguayans.
"The most important thing is that we won and finished the game healthy. We need to eliminate the mistakes from that game, there were some, especially in the attack".
Winger Nina Bulatović is not surprised by the victory of the Germans over the Slovenians.
"I can't say that we are surprised by Germany's performance in the first round. When we started the preparations, we focused on the German and Slovenian players - we know how much they can do, but also what each of their players can do. Germany is a great team, covered in all positions, but the stakes are huge and we know what we have to do," said Bulatović.
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