Paraguay has come and gone, but the key takeaway is that the Montenegrin handball players successfully defeated an underdog to kick off the Olympic Games qualifying round. Nevertheless, they now find themselves slightly behind the “lionesses” after 60 minutes of play at the start of the competition in Ulm.

They managed to secure a 30:25 victory over the South American team, which is the only positive aspect from the initial match against a squad that posed various challenges for Bojana Popović’s team with their unconventional style of handball.

Looking ahead, two crucial matches remain in the tournament, with their first opponent being the host nation, Germany, which showcased its dominance in the opening round against Slovenia (31:25).

Germany is favored going into today’s match (14:15), but Montenegro is geared up for a fierce contest and aims to deliver a stronger performance against a formidable opponent, according to pivot Bobana Klikovac.

– Germany is a powerful, determined squad, and we must not underestimate any player. They have strong wings, backs, goalkeepers, and pivots, making them well-rounded across all positions. I anticipate a challenging match. We must prepare thoroughly and maintain composure in our attack, as that could be pivotal for our success — along with a robust defense, – stated Bobana Klikovac.

A victory would bring Montenegro one step closer to the Olympic Games, where the top two teams from the qualifying tournament will qualify.

– We recognize the immense value of a win; these matches are critical for us. Each one of us dreams of participating in the Olympic Games — for some, it would be their first time, while for others, it would mark their fourth appearance at the OI — Bobana added, eager for a supportive crowd in the match against the host country:

– Playing in front of a large audience is always a positive experience. It energizes both us and the Germans. I hope we’ll receive strong support; it would mean a great deal to us, – Klikovac emphasized.

She also reflected on the match against Paraguay, describing it as a “land mine”:

– The main takeaway is that we secured the win and finished the game without injuries. We must work to eliminate the mistakes we made during that match, especially in our attack.

Winger Nina Bulatović was not surprised by Germany’s strong showing against Slovenia.

– I wouldn’t say we were taken aback by Germany’s performance in the first round. During our preparations, we concentrated on both the German and Slovenian teams — we understand their capabilities, as well as what each of their players can achieve. Germany is an exceptional team, well-equipped in every position, but we’re aware of what we need to do — Bulatović commented.

The Germans boast defensive strength with players like Ksenia Smits, Alina Greisels, Emily Belk, and Julia Maidhof.

– Germany has outstanding defenders, but I believe we can neutralize them with our own strong defense. If we build a solid defensive framework, we can hold our own against the competition, – remarked Dijana Mugoša, who scored nine goals out of 11 attempts against Paraguay.

News