Montenegro entered the match against Portugal as the favorite and successfully lived up to that expectation, with our handball team achieving a commanding 31:19 victory in Fafe, effectively opening wide the path to the World Championship after the first playoff match.

While it may seem like the series is decided even before the return leg in Podgorica, there remains…

“In handball, there’s no such thing as complacency, regardless of our +12 advantage; we’ll be going all out in the second leg,” stated Suzana Lazović, head coach of Montenegro.

The “Lionesses” showcased their dominance on the court right from the start.

“We highlighted in our pre-match discussion that this team approached the game seriously, and we proved that by maintaining our focus without a moment’s relaxation. We prepared thoroughly, and I’m confident our defense was crucial in achieving this result,” Suzana Lazović added.

Portugal managed to stay competitive in the first half, closing the gap to just one point, but Montenegro swiftly put the game beyond doubt at the beginning of the second half.

“We were in contention for the first 20 minutes, but we needed a little extra spark. However, it became evident at the start of the second half that the outcome was going to favor us,” said the Montenegrin coach.

Đurđina Jauković captained Montenegro for the first time, showcasing her talent, though she did sustain an injury.

“I hope Đina is alright; I didn’t see how she got injured… I’m optimistic that this result allows us to give her some rest during the rematch; we’ll see… She’s an incredible fighter with a strong spirit, so if it’s not a serious injury, she won’t hesitate to continue with us,” concluded Suzana Lazović.

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