The Buducnost handball team declared their intent to secure a point in France (which would effectively translate into a victory), and they achieved that in Brest with a score of 23:23. This sets them up for a home match against Rapid on February 23, where a win will ensure their spot in the EHF Champions League round of 16.

They circumvented the need to defeat a Romanian team by at least six goals through a brave, solid, and at times splendid performance in Brittany.

“The future of the team was crucial in achieving this feat in France. Every player delivered commendable effort in a fantastic atmosphere in Brest, showcasing the level we aimed for in earlier matches this season,” commented Buducnost head coach Bojana Popović.

“We revealed the true identity we’ve been searching for throughout many games this season. That entails playing as a team and maintaining our resolve; we accomplished that over the 60 minutes of intense competition in Brest. There were instances where we failed to capitalize with our player advantage, which could have tilted the match in our favor. However, during those moments, we lacked experience amidst the vibrant environment in Brest. It was a tremendous point, and all players executed their specific roles well in defense and attack. We functioned as a cohesive unit, and that’s how we must approach every match,” emphasized Popović.

Buducnost will not be chasing a six-point victory in the final round against Rapid next week; a win against the Romanian side will guarantee a sensational berth in the round of 16 of this prestigious competition.

The team, which faced major changes before the season and experienced delays in their preparations, has earned the right to determine their fate in the round of 16 in the final match at home.

“We have an opportunity, but there’s no pressure. We recognize that Rapid is a formidable team, and we must remain composed, treating this match as if it isn’t laden with such high stakes. The players should simply relish the game, as they deserve this chance. Our objective will be to perform well, and afterward, we will see if that suffices for us to advance to the round of 16. There’s no room for euphoria; we must play together as a team, as that’s the only way to match a team like Rapid where defensive prowess will again be crucial,” concluded Popović.

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