Paraguay hinted that the "lionesses" are far from ideal form and performance at the most important tournament in the last three years, and Germany revealed all that...
When during the first 20 minutes the opponent's net was shaken only three times, when after 42 minutes the opponent was at a huge plus 10 (20:10), then the final minus four sounds even good - Montenegrin handball players were defeated in the 2nd round of Olympic qualification games from the host Germany (28:24), but they still hold the fate of going to Paris in their hands.
Everything stops in 60 minutes, if tomorrow (Sunday) from 16:32 they defeat Slovenia (which beat Paraguay 14:XNUMX yesterday), they will have a ticket to the City of Light in their pocket and no one will remember the weak performances against Paraguay and Germany.
- Even if we had won against Germany or played a draw, we knew that in the last round we had to beat Slovenia - that game must be won in order to go to the Olympic Games - said the coach of Montenegro Bojana Popović.
Her chosen ones struggled in the attack from the start - perhaps the best thing to say is that they scored the first goal through action after ten minutes of the game when Tatjana Brnović scored on the assist Jelena Despotović. In those moments, Montenegro's hope was guarded by the goalkeeper Armel Atingre with some great interventions.
- We knew from the start that 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 we didn't guess when he would go. A lot of missed shots from the wider right side led to the opponent getting unstuck - explained Popović.
Montenegro could have directed the match differently in the opening part, but Diana Mugoš she didn't use the seven-pointer, while Anastasia Marsenić missed from a good position on the wing. With that, the goalkeeper of Germany defended herself Katarina Filter. Epilogue - the host took advantage of everything and went for the first time with a more sensitive 7:3.
When the first part ended with a tolerable 11:7, the reaction of the "lionesses" was expected in the sequel, but the opposite happened - Germany ran away with a 4:0 series to 15:7 and it seems that the game was already settled then.
- I think that too many missed shots in the first half, as well as a weak opening in the second half, cost us the game - she said Matea Pletikosic, who was the only one in the mood in the attack, as she hit all nine shots (six out of six sevens).
Germany had the aforementioned 18:20 10 minutes before the end, and only after that did Montenegro start to play and ultimately avoid disaster. The match with Slovenia will show whether they found the game then or whether their rivals relaxed.
- During the last 20 minutes, we stabilized the attack, so the result was better. So I'm satisfied with the many defensive things the girls provided, as well as with their combativeness and their giving to the end - said Bojana Popović.
The defeat against Germany also brought positive things, says Bojana.
- This match brought us a lot. And I'm glad that we had it, so the girls saw some things, played a little, felt the field and the real opponent that awaits us in the last match.
The coach even revealed that certain segments of the match with Germany could be a recipe for Slovenia as well.
- I feel good because of the defense in the last 20 minutes, as well as the first 15. Whether it is a 5-1 or 6-0 defense, I can see that they feel safe and powerful in it, so we will also try the match with Slovenia to play on that way - concluded Bojana.
Sixty minutes of truth is before the "lionesses" - Paris or a summer without the Olympic Games.
GERMANY - MONTENEGRO 28:24 (11:7)
Neu-Ulm - "Ratiofarm Arena". Spectators: 5.000. Referees: Alvares and Bustamante (Spain). Sevens: Germany 7 (6), Montenegro 7 (6). Suspensions: Germany 6, Montenegro 4 minutes.
Germany: Ekerle, Filter (14 saves and seven goals), Greisels 5 (1), Schmelzer, Antl, Tomajer, Smits 1, Shoke, Belk 6, Weigel, Maidhof 9 (5), Del 1, Berend 1, Osenkopp 2, Benke 2, Stocksleder 1.
Montenegro: Rajčić, Atingre (10 saves), Marsenić, Pletikosić 9 (5), Mugoša 4 (1), Ćorović, Popović, Ivanović, Brnović 2, Bulatović 1, Klikovac, Despotović 3, Pavićević 3, Kepić, Grbić 2, Vukcevic.
Bonus video:
