Two wins in a row – Last night, during the second round of the European Championship, Montenegro triumphed over Romania (27:25), securing another win and inching closer to advancing to the next phase.

The “Lionesses” took the lead early against Romania and only faced a setback once, although they periodically allowed their opponents to rally and pose a threat.

Despite achieving two victories, Montenegro has yet to confirm its place in the second stage. Tomorrow (20:30), they will face the Czech Republic in the final round. A win ensures the top spot and two points going forward, while a loss by three goals will still secure qualification, albeit without points carried over. A heavier defeat would mean elimination.

“It was a tough match. There were ups and downs, but when faced with challenges, we proved ourselves. Our goal was to advance from the group, and we will take it step by step,” Ivona Pavićević commented after the game.

Player rotation played a crucial role, providing opportunities for all team members.

“That really makes me happy. It’s essential for us to maintain as much rotation as possible, allowing each player to make the most of their time on the court,” Pavićević added.

Jelena Vukčević scored her first goals in her European Championship debut.

“Once again, our defense was key. It set us up for successful plays in attack. I believe this is just the start, and this team has the potential for greatness. There will always be fluctuations, but I believe we are united and strong enough, both mentally and physically, to handle it,” Vukčević expressed.

The beginning of the second half was notably influenced by Matea Pletikosić, who netted goals and maintained a substantial lead for our national team.

“We performed well defensively. There were a couple of mistakes that allowed them to come back into the game, but I think we deserved the win. Today, I may have stepped up, just as Ethan did in the first half, and Djina did against Serbia. There are many of us capable of stepping up, including the outstanding Jelena Vukčević,” Pletikosić stated.

Looking ahead, Montenegro will compete against the Czech Republic, with the outcome still uncertain.

“I don’t believe we should rely on others to achieve a result for us. Instead, we must take things step by step and prepare for that match just as we have for all others,” concluded Pletikosić.

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