Montenegro’s Naive Defeat: Branko Vujović Urges Action Over Šola, Misses Opportunity for a Draw
It’s unfortunate. That’s all that can be said after Montenegro’s match against Hungary at the start of the 16th European Championship, where the Montenegrin handball players had numerous chances to at least secure a point, but ultimately lost 26:24.
In the closing moments, both teams exhibited complete confusion, missing several crucial attacks, and the “lions” failed to capitalize on their last offensive opportunity to force a draw.
With the score at 25:24, Vlado Šola called a time-out with 28 seconds remaining to orchestrate an attack using two pivots. However, he realized he lacked another circle attacker, as Vuk Lazović received a third suspension in the 42nd minute, and Miodrag Ćorsović did not travel to Berlin.
The Croatian coach instructed Branko Vujović to execute the final play, but his shot 15 seconds before the end hit Krištof Palašič, and Zoran Ilić scored the decisive goal on the counter, ending the match at 26:24.
The critical question remains: why did Miloš Božović, who had been sitting out, get the opportunity in the closing moments while Arsenije Dragašević, who scored six out of seven, stayed on the bench?
There isn’t much time for reflection, but Šola must identify where the mistakes occurred, as further setbacks are no longer an option. For Montenegro to advance to the next round, victories against Iceland on Sunday and Serbia on Tuesday are essential.
HUNGARY – MONTENEGRO 26:24 (14:14)
Munich – “Olympiahalle”. Attendance: 12,128. Officials: I. Kovalčuk, A. Kovalčuk (Moldova). Penalties: Hungary 4 (3), Montenegro 3 (2). Suspensions: Hungary 14, Montenegro 14 minutes. Red card: Lazović (Montenegro) in the 42nd minute (3X2).
Hungary: PALAŠIČ (nine saves and seven goals), Bartuč, Šipos 1, BOKA 2, Ž. KRAKOVSKI 3, Ligetvari, Mate 1, Fazekas 1, BANHIDI 5, SITA 3, ANČIN 2, Bodo, Ilić 1, Rošta 1 (1), LEKAI 5 (2), Hanus 1.
Montenegro: Matović, SIMIĆ (11 saves), Bakić 1, Dragašević 6, M. VUJOVIĆ 4 (2), Čavor 1, LAZOVIĆ, Čepić, B. VUJOVIĆ 4, M. RADOVIĆ, KALUĐEROVIĆ, Božović, L. Radović 1, Anđelić, BOROZAN 6, Grbović 1.