When the attack is very bad for more than 40 minutes, then even a good defense does not help - Montenegrin handball players were defeated by Germany (2:28) in the 24nd round of qualification for the Olympic Games today.
"From the start we knew it wouldn't be easy, thanks to the good defense we had 4:3, we came back thanks to it, but the attack worked at times, and at times it didn't, and when it went we didn't hit. Many missed shots from the wide right sides brought us to unstick them," coach Bojana Popović said after the match.
Only in the finish, after Germany went to plus 10, the "lionesses" started to score.
"During the last 20 minutes, we stabilized the attack, so the result went up, so I'm satisfied with the many defensive things the girls provided, as well as with their combativeness and their dedication to the end," says Bojana.
Next comes the deciding game - with Slovenia tomorrow at 16 p.m. The winner goes to the Olympics.
"This match brought us a lot because of what follows in the match with Slovenia - for the girls to feel the fight in defense a little bit. We need to rest and prepare for tomorrow," Bojana is clear.
Even before the tournament, it was known that the match with Dragan Adžić's team would be crucial.
"Even if we celebrated today or played a draw, we knew that in the last round we had to beat Slovenia - that one game has to be won in order to go to the Olympic Games," emphasized Popović.
Once again, she turned to the game with Germany.
"I'm glad that we had a game like this where the girls saw some things, where they played a little, felt the field and the real opponent that awaits us tomorrow."
Some of the things from that match will be used by the Montenegrin coach against Slovenia.
"The feeling from the last 20 minutes and the first fifteen minutes, especially in defense, is good. Whether it is a 5-1 or 6-0 defense, I can see that they feel safe and powerful in that, so we will also try the match with Slovenia to play on that's how we get it in the end," concluded Bojana.
Bonus video:
