With their victory against Serbia in Zrenjanin (31:30), the Montenegrin handball team has secured a spot in the upcoming European Championship in Hungary, Austria, and Switzerland. With three rounds remaining, they can’t drop below the status of one of the top four third-placed teams out of eight groups.

The Lionesses clinched the win with a decisive goal from Itana Grbić in the final minute, having previously held a five-goal lead on eight occasions during the first half.

“We knew this would be a challenging match. Serbia rallied after the first half and pushed hard; we anticipated a back-and-forth battle until the end. I am proud that we secured these crucial two points for the European Championship. It is vital for the players to navigate through these matches; they exhibited character, focus, and patience right to the end,” stated Bojana Popović.

On Sunday, Montenegro will host the same opponent at the “Bemax Arena.” A win would ensure they finish first in group 6 and secure a favorable position for the draw.

“The upcoming match will not be easy either. Serbia is performing excellently, methodically seeking opportunities. We didn’t execute defensively as we should have; the midfield struggled a bit, which must be addressed before Sunday. We rushed some shots and made errors in defense, and we need to analyze and rectify those issues ahead of the next game,” she added.

The atmosphere in the “Crystal Hall” was fantastic, and on Sunday, they aim to return the hospitality.

“There was an amazing atmosphere in Zrenjanin, with friendly and fair-play cheering. I anticipate that the ‘Bemax Arena’ will be packed, and we will enjoy playing another match,” concluded the coach.

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