Today, the Montenegrin women’s handball team flew to Portugal for their opening match in the World Championship playoff against the home squad on Wednesday (20).

Before traveling, our national team conducted two training sessions in Podgorica with a reduced roster. In Portugal, they will be at full strength with the addition of Đurđina Jauković, Tatjana Brnović, and Ilda Kepić.

“As a coach, I don’t favor any particular player. It’s a sport, things can change, especially in modern handball where physicality plays a significant role. Portugal should not be underestimated; they have a unique style of play that’s uncommon among Balkan teams or even in youth categories. Spain, Portugal, Asian teams all share a defensive strategy that could pose challenges for us. I’m confident that our players will enter the field with the right mindset, respecting the defensive structure, which has always been crucial. I hope that this will lead to a few easy goals, supported by the ‘Chinese wall’ we have in our goalkeepers. I believe we can navigate through this and continue our streak in major competitions,” said Lazović.

Montenegro has a challenging journey ahead to Fafe for the match.

“We are going all out, of course. Every minute will be critical. Though the journey is complex for both teams, we’re traveling practically all day, about 12-13 hours. Tomorrow will focus on recovery training and tactical discussions. On game day, we have another long trek, but I trust the coaching staff to prepare and rejuvenate the team correctly,” the coach commented.

Conversation also touched on revitalizing the team.

“I aimed to give chances to younger players who’ve yet to don the national team’s colors. While we would have preferred more experienced players for such matches, we do have some seasoned athletes who can guide the younger ones. It’s crucial for them to gain confidence through upcoming matches. We need to expand our player base with quality training in Montenegro to cultivate new ‘lionesses’,” the coach expressed.

Nina Bulatović and Itana Grbić are not included in this gathering.

“We are not a national team with a vast pool of handball players. The absence of even a single player is felt. This is part of the sport; previous coaches have faced similar challenges. It’s up to us to discover players who can adapt to new roles. We’ll support them alongside more experienced teammates. While we may miss some key players, I believe the rest can compensate,” the coach highlighted.

Lazović underscored the importance of not underestimating Portugal.

“They shouldn’t be viewed lightly. Their unique style may not be favorable for taller defenders. We have devised strategies to address these situations. We understand their weak points and the areas they target. It’s essential for us to approach the game with courage, focus, and adherence to our agreed plan. If we perform at our best, no team, including Portugal, can compete with us. Conversely, any team can present challenges if we’re not on our game,” concluded Suzana Lazović.

The second leg will be held in Podgorica on Saturday at 18:00.

News