The countdown to the Montenegrin handball team’s first match in the European Championship is almost over.

Coach Suzana Lazović’s squad has recently completed training sessions with Slovenia, culminating in a close victory in a preparatory match, winning 29:28, although Lazović expressed some dissatisfaction.

“We need to maintain the right energy for the full 60 minutes, not just for 15-20 minutes. Continuity is essential,” Lazović emphasized following the narrow win against the team managed by Dragan Adžić.

The European Championship kicks off on Thursday, with the “lionesses” set to play against Serbia the following day at 20:30. They understand how crucial it is to start this significant tournament with a win.

“Our expectations remain the same – to fight as hard as we can. We will take it one step at a time; the first game is what matters most now. We need to perform at our best and see what we can achieve,” said Itana Grbić.

Montenegro’s team is bolstered ahead of this competition with the return of Milena Raičević, while Đurđina Jauković has recovered from her injury, and goalkeeper Marta Batinović is also ready for action.

“I expect a competitive match from the first whistle. Our team is stronger now, but it’s always challenging to face Serbia. Starting with a win is vital for our confidence, as every point has its significance,” Itana explained.

Notably, Jelena Radivojević is absent from the original roster after withdrawing for personal reasons, with pivot Nikolina Vukčević stepping in from the outset of preparations that began last Monday.

“Having all players available is crucial, but it’s felt when one is missing. While it’s unfortunate that Jelena Radivojević is not with us, I truly believe that we are significantly stronger compared to the last competition. I am confident we will demonstrate our capabilities from the start,” concluded Grbić.

Montenegro is in a group with Romania and the Czech Republic, with their match against the Romanian team scheduled for Sunday at 18:00, and against the Czech team on Wednesday at 20:30.

This marks Montenegro’s eighth appearance at the European Championships, with two medals secured to date: they won the title in 2012 in Belgrade by defeating Norway and claimed bronze ten years later, overcoming France in the third-place match in Ljubljana.

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