The Montenegrin handball players returned to sun-drenched Podgorica after securing 7th place at the World Championship.

“We’ve been without sun for a month, we lack vitamin D,” Itana Grbić cheerfully replied when asked if she could speak to local television with the sun shining in her eyes.

The Lionesses demonstrated their elite status in Sweden and Denmark by reaching the quarterfinals despite a depleted roster. The fans certainly recognized their efforts.

“We are thrilled to have made Montenegro proud once again. From the first match, we gave our all on the field. Although there were defeats and victories, the key takeaway is that we left each game with our heads held high and learned valuable lessons from our losses.”

On February 28 and March 3, Montenegro will face Serbia in the qualifiers for the European Championship, and from April 11 to 14, they will compete in the crucial qualification tournament for the Olympic Games. Their competitors will be Germany, Slovenia, and Paraguay, with spots in Paris available for two teams.

“This championship was a tremendous experience for us and will greatly benefit us in the upcoming qualifiers. We are aware of the tough group we are in. We know Slovenia well, having defeated Germany here last year. We will approach the tournament in a weakened state, but our priority is for all clubs to seize the opportunity, stay healthy, and be ready,” Grbić emphasized.

Despite their commendable achievement of 7th place, Bojana Popović’s team still feels a sense of injustice, as they could have defeated Denmark in the quarterfinals if not for poor officiating.

“It was tough, especially when external factors influence your performance and the outcome. We gave our best and left the field proudly, while the coach and Danish players felt the strain of the situation. I am most proud of that match; I received more messages of support afterward than after last year’s bronze medal. The people truly recognized our efforts, and we are grateful for that,” said the 27-year-old from Podgorica.

Grbić emerged as the true leader for Montenegro during the World Championship. In the absence of key players Milena Raičević and Đurđina Jauković, she stepped up to guide this generation.

“I’m pleased, but I know that there’s always room for improvement as the seasons progress and I gain more opportunities. I aimed to maximize each player’s potential for overall team success,” she stated.

With Jauković absent, there was no traditional outside shooter, prompting Popović to implement tactical adjustments.

“We recognized the lack of a classic shooting guard, so we adapted by employing two pivots or three right-handed players, including Jeco, Mateo, and myself. While it worked well, we did miss several shots from six meters and penalty shots. However, for over 50 percent of the team, this was their first championship where they played a significant role and contributed heavily to the games, making me extremely proud of both the team and coaching staff,” concluded Itana Grbić.

News