The Montenegrin women’s handball team will have to put their dreams of reaching Paris on hold – they faced a setback today in Ulm, losing 30:26 to Slovenia in the final round of the qualification tournament, marking the missed chance to qualify for the Olympic Games for the fourth consecutive time.

The “Lionesses” struggled offensively throughout the tournament, and today was no different. They often rushed their attacks and quickly finished their actions, overshadowing the strong performance of goalkeeper Armel Atingre, who recorded 17 saves.

Slovenia took the lead from the outset, and Montenegro’s first goal from gameplay didn’t come until the 12th minute, with Dijana Mugoša scoring from the wing to make it 5:4.

Following Mugoša’s goal, Slovenia responded with three consecutive goals, extending their lead to four for the first time at 8:4, and it swelled to 9:5 after Ana Gros found the net.

By halftime, Montenegro narrowed the deficit to one goal at 11:10 thanks to Matea Pletikosić, but Dragan Adžić’s squad regrouped to head into the break with a three-goal cushion at 14:11.

In the second half, the “Lionesses” briefly closed the gap to two goals twice, the last instance thanks to a goal by Pletikosić that made it 17:15 for Slovenia. Unfortunately for Montenegro, Slovenia then surged ahead, extending their lead to five at 20:15 and finishing with a seven-goal advantage, 25:18.

Dijana Mugoša emerged as the top scorer for Montenegro with seven goals, while Matea Pletikosić contributed six, and Itana Grbić had five. For Slovenia, both Ana Gros and Tjaša Stanko also scored seven goals each.

Itana Grbić scores – 25:28.

Varagić adds to the score – 24:28.

Mugoša and Brnović bring the score down – 24:27.

Tatjana Brnović scores – 21:25.

Tanja Ivanovic reduces the gap – 20:25.

Matea Pletikosić finds the net – 19:25.

Stanko scores her third in a row – 18:25.

Slovenia leads by six, courtesy of another goal from Stanko – 18:24.

Mugoša scores, while Klikovac receives a red card – 18:22.

Pandžić stops Bobana Klikovac; Varagić then scores from the wing – 17:22.

Gros re-establishes a four-goal lead with a nine-meter shot – 17:21.

Quick response from Jelena Despotović – 17:20.

Itana Grbić cuts the deficit – 16:20.

The Slovenian women gain a five-goal margin for the first time – 20:15.

Slovenia once again takes a four-goal lead, as Stanko scores – 15:19.

Pandžić makes a save against Jelena Despotović.

Pletikosić misses the penalty, while Pandžić makes the save.