The Montenegrin men’s volleyball team faced a 3:0 defeat against Austria (28:26, 25:20, 25:22) in a friendly match held in Kolašin, as part of the preparations for the final two rounds of qualification for the 2026 European Championship.

Despite the guests’ clean sweep in the match, Montenegro showcased solid performance, especially during the extra set that unfolded in SC “Kolašin”.

The first set was thrilling, with both teams trading leads right up to the climax, where Austria ultimately claimed the set 28:26.

The third set remained closely contested until the 45th point, when Austria pulled ahead with a slight run. Following the usual practice in friendly games, an additional set was played—with the mutual consent of coaches Ivica Jevtić and Radovan Gačić—in which Montenegro triumphed 26:24.

Overall, Nemanja Peruničić stood out as the most effective player for our team, scoring 12 points, two ahead of captain Đorđe Jovović, while Vukašin Cimbaljević contributed nine points. All players were given opportunities, with Matija Ćinćur netting seven points, and the youngest team member, Vuk Stanojević, adding six points.

On the Austrian side, Paul Buheger was the top performer, amassing 16 points.

Montenegro and Austria are set to compete in a closed-door training match on Saturday, as they enter the final stage of their preparations for the qualifiers.

Our team is scheduled to play the Czech Republic away on August 13, followed by a game against Norway in Kolašin on August 17, marking the final match of Group C.

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