With the arrival of coach Suzana Lazović and the return of Đurđina Jauković, a new chapter is unfolding for Montenegro’s women’s handball team.

The Lionesses have been training in Podgorica over the past few days as part of the EHF week. On Friday, they will face Croatia in a closed match, marking their first game since the Olympic Games qualifiers in April.

This match serves as a precursor to their participation in the European Championship, which kicks off at the end of November. Đurđina Jauković is set to play her first minutes after a lengthy absence. She recently made her return to the field wearing the ĆSM Bucharest jersey and will don the “lioness” kit again after nearly two years.

“Wearing a jersey with the national emblem is a unique honor; representing the national team is entirely different from playing for a club. I have eagerly awaited this moment, and emotions are high ahead of my first match back after such a long break,” shared Đurđina.

“I’m also excited about the upcoming match against Croatia and the significant challenge awaiting us at the European Championship in just over a month. Competing against quality opponents like Croatia will be beneficial as we prepare,” explained the seasoned defender.

Milena Raičević is back in the mix…

“Several players on the team haven’t played together in the national team jersey for the past two years, making this game incredibly valuable for us to regroup. Croatia is a team with a distinct Balkan character; they always give their all, and we must leverage this match as preparation for the European Championship,” she remarked.

Montenegro’s first match in the Euros is scheduled for November 29 against Serbia, with additional rivals in Debrecen, including Romania and the Czech Republic. The top two teams will advance to the main round.

“Right now, our focus is on gearing up appropriately and being ready for the start of the European Championship. We have received footage from our group stage opponents, and our prior experience against Serbia, Romania, and the Czech Republic will definitely aid us. We need to concentrate on our own performance because if we are all fit and ready, our success will depend on us,” concluded Đurđina Jauković.

News