Following their triumph against Serbia (26:25), Montenegrin handball players have nearly secured the top spot in Group 6 of the EHF Euro qualification.

For them to lose this position, an extraordinary series of events would need to unfold: they must lose their away match against Turkey and a struggling Bulgaria in “Morača,” while the Turks must also defeat Serbia in the final round.

It’s evident that their objective has been achieved, but the journey was anything but simple.

“I warned the girls not to expect an easy match, as Serbia boasts a strong team with players adept at controlling the pace. I advised them to brace for a strenuous defensive effort, yet in the first half, we allowed goals that we shouldn’t have. In the second half, our defense improved, but we missed opportunities to extend our lead,” commented Bojana Popović.

The coach is optimistic that two victories in tightly contested matches will bolster the team’s confidence.

“These games are crucial for us, as they present a mental challenge; players often find greater stability afterward. The audience sometimes provided us with a boost, although some less experienced players struggled under pressure. The European Championship is on the horizon, and it’s great that many young talents got their chance. Ivana Godeč is still young, even with her Champions League experience, while Anastasija Marsenić performed at a high level in both matches.”

In terms of defense, Andrijana Popović was sidelined due to injury, but Ilda Kepić and Tanja Ivanović seized their moment in the second half.

“Without Ana Popović, our defensive rotation suffers. Ilda and Tanja offered solid defensive contributions, adding stability, but we need to carefully consider our tactical options. In the forthcoming matches, we chose to focus on defense and utilized two substitutions, which is viable only if the opposing team doesn’t consistently force fast breaks. Ilda, Tanja, and Tatjana Brnović all played key roles in providing stability,” she added.

Popović made some rotations during this double-header and is hopeful for a more favorable situation as the qualification tournament for the Olympic Games approaches, set for April 11-14 in Ulm.

“Gathering the team in just two days during the season is challenging, often leading to misunderstandings. The priority is to keep the players healthy because it’s tough to compete when we’re short-handed. Some team members aren’t getting playtime with their clubs, which complicates matters. Our rotation is tight, and we need to expand it,” she remarked.

A beneficial aspect is that leading up to the Ulm tournament, matches against Turkey and Bulgaria will provide the team with additional preparation time.

“This is the first time we’ll have ten consecutive days together. Initially, we aim to play against teams that are at a lower level than Serbia, allowing for more rotations and experimentation,” stated the coach.

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