Once again, Tatjana Brnović has proven her status as one of the top pivot players globally.

The remarkable athlete from Podgorica netted seven goals, earned multiple seven-pointers, and was once more a puzzle for Serbia’s defense and offensive plays.

Thanks to her outstanding performance, the “lionesses” triumphed over their rivals for the second time within 72 hours (26:25), securing the top spot in group 6 of the European Championship qualifiers.

“It was a very tough and challenging match. Serbia performed excellently in both encounters; it was a fierce battle, uncertain until the very end. We are thrilled with the two points, and both teams displayed superb abilities. This double-header was immensely beneficial for us, allowing us to assess our progress and identify what needs improvement.”

The atmosphere at the “Bemax Arena” was electric, with a packed crowd propelling the players towards victory, although some clearly felt added pressure.

“Thank you to everyone who supported us. We felt goosebumps during warm-ups; the atmosphere was surreal.”

The Krima player expressed her anticipation of a fierce challenge from her opponents.

“After the previous match, it was evident that Serbia was prepared to compete, coming in with a determined mindset. They never relented, which is why I cherish this victory more. I was also aware that sometimes a large audience can tighten our game and heighten pressure to perform well. We felt that pressure; we weren’t as free, but securing those two points is what matters most.”

It’s clear that Montenegro needs to elevate its performance level by mid-April, when it competes in the Olympic qualifiers in Ulm, Germany. They will vie for two spots in Paris alongside the hosts, Slovenia, and Paraguay, with Andrijana Popović and Jelena Vukčević expected to rejoin the team by then.

“These victories are incredibly significant for us; winning games like this, where the battle lasts until the final whistle, is always gratifying. I am genuinely pleased about the four points and our secured position at the European Championship, but I realize we’ll need to improve considerably to achieve our dream in April,” stated the 25-year-old from Podgorica.

Serbia’s coach, Uroš Bregar, struggled with the defeat on the court, vigorously contesting the call made by Croatian referees Davor and Zoran Lončar regarding a foul by Jovani Jovović during the last attack. He opted not to discuss it at the press conference.

“In Zrenjanin and Podgorica, the crowd has been fair, with no incidents; everything transpired in a sporting spirit. We played two outstanding matches, but it’s evident that we lack the experience of Montenegro and many players who compete in the Champions League. It’s disappointing that we finished both games without a single point and ended with a goal difference of minus two. I have to take pride in the team, as it was uncertain how long we would withstand in Podgorica; it came down to a single ball. Montenegro capitalized well on our exclusion, disrupting our rhythm, and their goalkeeper saved some crucial shots,” remarked the Slovenian expert.

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