Paraguay has been and gone, the most important thing is that the Montenegrin handball players found a way to beat an outsider at the start of the qualification for the Olympic Games, but the fact remains that they are behind the "lionesses" by a modest 60 minutes at the start of the competition in Ulm.
The South American selection was defeated 30:25 and the result is the only thing that counts as a positive from the premier duel against a team that created a lot of problems for Bojana Popović's team with an atypical style of handball.
Now there are two key matches in the tournament, and the first opponent is the host Germany, which in the first round justified its role as the favorite against our Dragan Adžić's Slovenia (31:25).
The Germans are the favorites even today (14.15), but Montenegro is ready for a big fight and wants to show more against a serious opponent, 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 qualifying tournament 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 the fourth time to participate in the OI - adds Bobana and looks forward to the full stands in the duel with the host:
- It's always nice when you play in front of many fans. It is a wind at our back as much as it is for the Germans. I hope we will have support, it would mean a lot to us - Klikovac pointed out.
She also referred to the duel with the Paraguayans, which was a "land mine":
- The most important thing is that we won and finished the game healthy. We need to eliminate mistakes from that game, there were some, especially in 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.
The main strength of the Germans are the defenders Ksenia Smits, Alina Greisels, Emily Belk and Julia Maidhof.
- Germany has excellent defenders, but I think we can stop them with a strong defense. With a strong defensive team, we can match the opponent - says Dijana Mugoša, who scored nine goals from 11 attempts against Paraguay.
Bonus video:
