Following their defeat to Đer (29:21), the Buducnost Bemax handball team has lost their theoretical chance of advancing to the knockout stage of the Champions League, with three rounds remaining.

It was apparent beforehand that progressing further was unlikely, prompting Bojana Popović to provide more opportunities for younger players.

“I’m proud of how the girls performed; they exhibited tremendous character. There were some mistakes, but it’s crucial for young players to experience games like this to build their skills. We needed to convert some shots, missed several seven-pointers, and had some technical errors, yet the youngsters seized their opportunities and demonstrated their potential,” Popović commented.

Nikolina Marković stood out, contributing four goals and five assists while leading the team’s attack.

“It’s significant that we can provide opportunities for the younger players, and they made the most of it. They possess great potential, but they must remain humble and not get overconfident. They need to stay composed as there’s still much for them to learn. Their character is essential and must be preserved, as it sustains Montenegrin handball,” the head coach cautioned.

In her third outing in the elite competition, Marković proved she could have made an earlier impact.

“We fought hard throughout the match, showcasing both character and heart. Although there were technical errors and we let in a few easy goals, I’m content with our performance,” remarked the 19-year-old from Podgorica.

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