Following their initial defeat against Hungary (26:24) in the European Championship, the Montenegrin handball team faces immense pressure as they prepare to compete against Iceland tomorrow (the 18th) in their second round match.

Montenegro missed a crucial opportunity against Hungary. The opponent had shortcomings, and at the end, the “lions” had a chance to equalize. However, Branko Vujović’s attempt 15 seconds before the final whistle found Krištof Palašič, leading to Zoran Ilić sealing the game with a final score of 26:24. This transpired after a timeout where coach Vlado Šola aimed to devise a strategy involving two pivots, only to realize that Vuk Lazović was still on the court, prompting him to consult Nikšićan about the play.

“I believe we need to move on from Hungary quickly. It’s sports, and this is a major tournament with games every other day. It’s disappointing what occurred in the dying seconds, but it has happened. We lost the game much earlier due to several technical mistakes. Now our focus must be on Iceland,” Luka Radović stated the day following the match.

In their first round, Iceland played to a draw against Serbia (27:27). Serbia was ahead 27:24 in the 59th minute, but the “fishermen” managed to earn a point.

“We’ve shown that we have a strong roster of players to rely on. We need to put that on display against Iceland, who are favorites for a medal. They have skilled players, like Gisli Kristjansson and Omar Magnuson, who are at the top of their game. If we can contain them and manage their fast transitions, we can hope for a positive outcome,” Radović asserted.

Radović further emphasized that the group is well-matched.

“Psychological readiness could be key. We must come out strong from the get-go and prove we can secure two points. The matchup between Serbia and Iceland showed that there are no absolute favorites in this group; everyone can compete. It’s the most tightly contested group in the tournament, and the chances are unpredictable,” the Nikšić native added.

Aleksandar Bakić stressed the importance of minimizing technical errors to triumph over the “fishermen.”

“We’re looking at a tough match. Iceland is a frontrunner in our group, and their performance against Serbia showcased their potential flaws,” Bakić noted.

He referred back to the match played by Iceland against Serbia.

“Serbia played exceptionally well, which could serve as a model for us against Iceland. They displayed they can handle tough situations with aggressive defense and maximum focus in attack. I’m hopeful that we can emerge victorious. Iceland has shown resilience, particularly in their quick play. I believe if we focus defensively and properly neutralize their attack’s strengths, we can find success,” Bakić concluded.

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