Germans “Blow Away” Lionesses en Route to Paris, with Slovenia Match as Year’s Highlight and Last Olympic Opportunity
With no clear strategy in the attack and forty minutes of forgettable play, claiming victory against a determined and strong opponent seemed unrealistic.
The Montenegrin handball team delivered one of their worst performances ever, having no chance against Germany (28:24). They now face a crucial match against Slovenia tomorrow at 16:00.
A win would secure the “lionesses” a spot at the Olympic Games, allowing them to put behind two disappointing matches from the start of the tournament in Ulm.
The “lionesses'” struggle against the hosts is evident in the fact that Bojana Popović’s squad managed to score only three goals in the first 20 minutes, with Germany holding a staggering 10-goal lead (20:10) by the 30th minute.
Following that, we witnessed some impressive plays and goals from our team, but, as expected, the Germans played with far more ease…
The upcoming match against Slovenia is pivotal—arguably the match of the year, and perhaps even of this generation—with substantial stakes, namely the Olympic Games.
GERMANY – MONTENEGRO 28:24 (11:7)
NOJ-ULM – “Ratiofarm Arena”. Attendance: 5,000. Referees: Alvares and Bustamante (Spain). Penalties: Germany 7 (6), Montenegro 7 (6). Suspensions: Germany 6, Montenegro 4 minutes.
Germany: Ekerle, Filter (14 saves and seven goals), Greisels 5 (1), Schmelzer, Antl, Tomajer, Smits 1, Shoke, Belk 6, Weigel, Maidhof 9 (5), Del 1, Berend 1, Osenkopp 2, Benke 2, Stocksleder 1.
Montenegro: Rajčić, Atingre (10 saves), Marsenić, Pletikosić 9 (5), Mugoša 4 (1), Ćorović, Popović, Ivanović, Brnović 2, Bulatović 1, Klikovac, Despotović 3, Pavićević 3, Kepić, Grbić 2, Vukčević.