The journey to the World Championship was anticipated to be challenging, yet no one foresaw the significant defeat faced by the Montenegrin handball team in their first playoff match.

The “lions” struggled to find their rhythm, allowing Italy—considered the underdog after the draw—to dominate in Conversano and secure a 32:26 victory.

Vlad Šola’s squad faces an incredibly tough challenge in the rematch at “Morača” (17:30), where they must rectify their defensive and offensive shortcomings from tonight’s game if they hope to enhance their performance and live up to their status as favorites.

It could be argued that Montenegro managed to hold on, as they were down by eight goals (31:23) with just seven minutes left.

This provided Italy with the opportunity to celebrate more emphatically, but the Montenegrin team contributed to the chaotic end of the match with a series of poor decisions.

Despite the six-goal deficit being significant, it is not insurmountable. The Montenegrin national team has often shown they can triumph over giants with their fans’ support…

Italy jumped to a quick 3:0 lead, extending to 4:1 before Montenegro managed to flip the score to 8:7 with a goal from Miloš Vujović in the 12th minute. This was their first—and ultimately, only—lead of the match.

The rival team held a 16:12 advantage until our national team mounted a 3:0 run to adjust to a manageable halftime deficit of 16:15.

In the second half, both teams exchanged goals until Italy moved ahead at 20:17, while Montenegro squandered several chances to level the score.

Then followed a total collapse of Šola’s team, marked by a series of errors, missed shots, and failed seven-meters, allowing the “azuri” to extend their lead to a staggering 31:23 with six minutes remaining.

Neither Šola’s time-out nor the rival’s missed penalty shot could assist; Montenegro could only manage to reduce the deficit to six by the end…

The standout performer for our team was Vasilije Kaluđerović, who netted seven goals, while Vuko Borozan and Branko Vujović each contributed four goals.

Italy’s attack was spearheaded by Umberto Bronco, who scored 13 goals.

ITALY – MONTENEGRO 32:26 (16:15)

Conversano – Hall “San Giacomo”. Attendance: 3,900. Referees: Bruner, Salah (Switzerland). Penalties: Italy 8 (4), Montenegro 3 (0). Suspensions: Italy 6, Montenegro 6 minutes.

Italy: Ebner (seven saves and three penalties), Colleluori (one save), De Angelis 1, Dapiran 1, Bulcamini 2, Savini, M. Mengon 4, Bronco 13 (3), S. Mengon 3, Ibali, Bortoli, Pugliese, Manojlović 1 (1), Helmerson, Maroki 2, Parizini 5.

Montenegro: Matović (seven goals), Simić (10 saves and two penalty saves), A. Bakić 2, Dragašević, M. Vujović 3, Čavor 1, Lazović 1, Ćorsović, B. Vujović 4, Radović, Kaluđerović 7, L. Radović 1, Krivokapić 1, M. Bakić, Borozan 4, Grbović 2.

News