The initial losses at “Morača” after over a decade (against Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina) came too soon for decisive conclusions. However, strong performances at the European Championship, particularly the victory against Serbia, may have created a misleading context. The first playoff match against Italy underscored that the “lions” still lack a cohesive system and consistent gameplay.

Montenegro’s handball team fell to Italy, with a score of 32:26 in their first playoff for the World Championship. On Sunday at 17:30, they must “correct” their performance if they hope to fulfill their expected status as favorites and secure a tenth major title in their history.

Can the “lions” overcome a six-point deficit from Konversan? Their potential is undeniable, as they could perform well against opponents stronger than “Azure.” Yet, an even more pressing question remains: would a comeback erase all lingering issues, or signal the kind of gameplay that aligns with their true talent? Branko, Miloš Vujović, Nemanja Grbović, Nebojsa Simic…

“This is far from what we can achieve,” remarked coach Vlado Šola after the match in southern Italy.

This sentiment resonates with many fans who have followed the national team lately. Montenegro has never fielded a generation this talented, yet the significant progress made since the European Championship two years ago (11th place) seems to have gone unrealized.

It’s evident that under Šola’s coaching (who debuted in March last year, losing to Slovenia), the “lions” have encountered a series of perplexing challenges—from the loss against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Podgorica, a disorienting timeout during the Hungary match at the Euros, to a surprising victory over Serbia followed by a convincing defeat to Italy.

Compounding issues, the coach has strained relations with regular team members Bož Anđelić and Miloš Božović. In Konversan, it was glaringly apparent that Anđelić’s absence due to injury was significant, affecting their central defense alongside Radojica Čepića.

Thus, Šola had to improvise with Vuk Borozan and Vasilij Kaluđerović, who were out of their preferred positions, while debutant Filip Krivokapić was the only true center back.

It’s crucial to acknowledge that the “lions” have faced struggles even prior to Vlad Šola’s arrival. During the World Championships in Poland and Sweden, they were projected to reach the quarter-finals and qualify for the Olympics, yet they managed only two victories (out of six matches), both against lower-ranked teams Iran and Chile, and those wins came with great difficulty.

Former coach Zoran Roganović admitted to failure, stating that he prioritized other aspects, and subsequently resigned from his position.

Šola succeeded him, with the expectation of an immediate improvement, yet the single win at the European Championship and one in the previous qualifiers fell short of those hopes.

The statistics are stark: the Croatian coach has led Montenegro in eight competitive matches, suffering six defeats and securing only two victories—against Kosovo and Serbia.

This Sunday, fans anticipate a third victory, and ideally a more convincing win than six points. If achieved, either Šola will need to adapt his strategies, or the Handball Association of Montenegro may need to consider changes.

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