The Lionesses fulfilled their duties prior to heading to Ulm.
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Tanja Ivanovic, Photo: RSCG/Stefan Ivanovic
The Montenegrin women’s handball team excelled against Bulgaria in their final qualification match for the European Championship, dominating with a score of 35:17 today at “Morača” and concluding the qualification phase undefeated with six victories.
The Lionesses are aiming for Olympic qualification next week in Ulm, which led Coach Bojana Popović to field a mixed team for today’s match. Notably absent were Tatjana Brnović, Dijana Mugoša, and Marina Rajčić, while Matea Pletikosić, Itana Grbić, and Ilda Kepić did not play.
Montenegro surged ahead with a 4:0 run, featuring two goals each from Jelena Despotović and Ivone Pavićević, establishing a 6:2 lead. On the opposing side, Marinela Panayotova was the sole source of offense.
As the match progressed, Despotović’s “lionesses” stretched their advantage to plus eight (14:6), though Bulgaria managed to score three goals, tightening the score to 14:9. Following Anastasija Marsenić’s goal, Montenegro led 16:9, with a comfortable seven-goal margin.
The second half showcased superb play; Nikolina Vukčević netted three consecutive goals as Montenegro extended the lead to 20:11. After Andrijana Popović’s goal, the “lionesses” achieved a remarkable 9:0 run in the second half, pushing the lead to plus 15 at 26:11.
Struggles continued for Bulgaria as Montenegro scored its first goal of the half after 15 minutes, with the opponent’s net shaken only six times during that duration.
Top scorers for Montenegro included Jelena Despotović with seven goals, Tanja Ivanović with six, and Nada Kadović with five.
On the Bulgarian side, Marinela Panayotova led with six goals.
On April 11, Montenegro will kick off its Olympic Games qualification journey against Paraguay in Ulm, with Germany and Slovenia also in their group.
MONTENEGRO – BULGARIA 35:17 (17:11)
Podgorica – SC “Morača” – Attendance: 2,500. Referees: Bošnjak and Marić (BiH). Penalties: Montenegro 3 (2), Bulgaria 3 (2). Suspensions: Montenegro 10, Bulgaria eight minutes.
Montenegro: Atingre (six saves), Babović-Vujović (six saves), Marsenić 4, Pletikosić, Marković 2, Ćorović, Popović 2, Ivanović 6, Bulatović 1, Klikovac, Despotović 7, Kadović 5, Pavićević 4, Kepić, Grbić, Vukčević 4.
Bulgaria: Nikolova (five saves), Djulgerova (three saves), Kostadinova, Pavlova, Ivanova, Georgijeva, Grozdanova 4, Milanova 3, Stojčeva, Panayotova 6, Kostadinova, Spasova 2, Petkova, Petrova 2.
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