The first 60 minutes of the pre-Olympic tournament weren’t the best for the Montenegrin handball team.

They secured a victory over Paraguay (30:25), and the only positive takeaway from the match against the South American side is the win, despite facing significant challenges due to their unconventional playing style.

Upcoming are two crucial matches in the tournament in Ulm, with their next opponent being Germany—the tournament hosts—who demonstrated their strength by defeating Slovenia under Dragan Adžić (31:25) in the first round.

Germany will also be favored on Saturday (14:15 p.m.), but Montenegro is prepared for a fierce battle, as pivot Bobana Klikovac states.

“Germany is a formidable and resolute team, and we must not underestimate any of their players. They have excellent wings, backs, goalkeepers, and pivots, with a strong lineup across all positions. I anticipate a challenging match; we must prepare thoroughly and remain calm in our offense, as that could be crucial for our success, alongside a robust defense,” said Bobana Klikovac.

A win would bring Montenegro closer to the Olympic Games, where the top two teams from the Ulm tournament will qualify.

“We understand the significance of this victory, as these are the matches that define our careers. Each of us dreams of participating in the Olympic Games—some for the first time and others for the fourth,” Bobana remarked, eagerly anticipating a full stadium for the upcoming match.

“Playing in front of a large crowd is always exhilarating. It provides us with motivation just as it does for the Germans. We hope to have support from our fans, as it would mean a lot to us,” Klikovac added.

She also reflected on the match against Paraguay.

“The key takeaway is that we won and came through the game without injuries. We must address the errors made during that match, particularly in our attacking play.”

Winger Nina Bulatović expressed that she wasn’t surprised by Germany’s win over Slovenia.

“I can’t say that Germany’s strong performance in the first round shocked us. During our preparations, we concentrated on both the German and Slovenian teams, aware of their capabilities and the strengths of each player. Germany is a highly skilled team that is strong in all positions, but with the stakes so high, we know what we need to execute,” Bulatović said.

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