In a thrilling finale, the Montenegrin handball team triumphed over Serbia with a score of 26:25 in the “Bemax Arena,” nearly securing the top spot in Group 6 qualification for the European Championship.

Unlike the previous encounter in Zrenjanin, where Montenegro held a clear advantage early on, this match saw Serbia fully engaged from the outset.

Despite a back-and-forth, the “lionesses” managed to pull ahead first, establishing a 7:5 lead by the 13th minute thanks to three consecutive goals from Tatjana Brnović, Dijana Mugoša (penalty), and Anastasija Marsenić.

Serbia fought back, leveling the score at 11:11 seven minutes before halftime. By the 29th minute, they took their fifth lead at 14:13, but Brnović quickly equalized just before the break.

Bojana Popović recognized the need for adjustments as the first half relied heavily on the performances of Itana Grbić and Matea Pletikosić, paired with one of the world’s top pivots.

She introduced Ivona Pavićević on the left wing and Ilda Kepić in defense, but the “lionesses” struggled initially in the second half, missing their first four attempts (with two turnovers and a save by Mola Kubina) until Pletikosić converted a penalty to level the score at 15:15.

However, challenges continued in their offensive play, and Katarina Bojičić netted two quick goals to give Serbia a 17:15 advantage in the 37th minute.

Jelena Despotović struggled, prompting Tanja Ivanović to enter the fray. With 20 minutes remaining, Armel Atingre took over for Marina Rajčić. The Budućnost goalkeeper saved attempts from Dunja Radević and Jovani Jovović, further energizing the crowd as the team reclaimed the lead at 22:21 by the 48th minute.

Uroš Bregar quickly called a timeout. His team managed to equalize thrice and appeared poised for a comeback with six minutes remaining, but Atingre thwarted both Zicer and Teodora Veličković’s shots.

Pavićević struck on the counter-attack, and Pletikosić successfully converted another penalty, pushing the score to 26:24 with just under four minutes left.

Bregar utilized his final timeout, and his team forced a red card against Kepić following an extended possession. Ivona Pavićević emerged as a key player, confusing Anđela Janjušević into a turnover, effectively diminishing Serbia’s hopes for a draw.

Janušević scored to narrow the gap to 26:25 with 47 seconds remaining, prompting Popović to call a timeout. Marsenić attempted a breakthrough with 18 seconds to go, but the referees penalized Jovović for an illegal defense on Matea Pletikosić, granting possession to Montenegro. Bregar received a yellow card for his protests, but the ruling stood firm…

MONTENEGRO – SERBIA 26:25 (14:14)

Podgorica – “Bemax Arena”. Audience: 2,300. Officials: D. Lončar and Z. Lončar (Croatia). Penalties: Montenegro 8 (7), Serbia 2 (2). Suspensions: Montenegro 6, Serbia 6 minutes.

Montenegro: RAJČIĆ (five saves), Atingre (five saves), MARSENIĆ 3, PLETIKOSIC 4 (3), Godeč, MUGOŠA 4 (4), Nada Ćorović, Ujkić, Ivanović 2, Malović, BRNOVIĆ 7, DESPOTOVIĆ 1, Kadović, Pavićević 3, Kepić, GRBIĆ 2.

Serbia: M. Simić, KUBINA (eight saves), RADOSAVLJEVIĆ 5, Veličković 2, Majkić, Obrenović, MANDIC 1, Nuković, JANJUŠEVIĆ 5 (2), Vasić, JOVOVIĆ 5, Stamenić 1, Bojičić 3, RADEVIĆ 2, T. Simić 1, PETROVIĆ.

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