Ninth consecutive European Championship within reach: "Lionesses" run 9:0 to convincing victory over Iceland

Suzana Lazović's team has practically booked their ninth consecutive appearance at the European Championship with two rounds remaining in the qualifying round. Tanja Brnović and her teammates now have six out of a possible eight points.

Još jednu fantastičnu partiju odigrala je kapitenka Đurđina Jauković. Bombarderka iz Nikšića postigla je čak 12 golova, identično kao i prije četiri dana u Hafnarfjoduru.

In the opening minutes, the game was goal for goal, but the "Lionesses" then took control with a 4:0 run and led 6:3. Montenegro had a three-goal advantage on several occasions (7:4, 10:7), and in the 26th minute for the first time, they were plus four – 13:9.

However, the finish of the first half belonged to the visitors. The Icelandic team responded with a 4:0 run and tied the score at 13:13, which was the halftime score – identical to the first duel between these teams in Iceland.

The Icelandic team had two goals in reserve on three occasions in the first 10-12 minutes of the second half. In the 43rd minute, the scoreboard showed 18:20 in favor of the visiting team, and then Suzana Lazović's players, led by Jauković and Armel Atingre, made a 9:0 run and turned the score to 27:20 with ten minutes to go. The rivals repelled the onslaught and reduced the score to 27:22 with two consecutive goals, but then Matea Pletikosić scored two goals in a row and Dijana Trivić scored an empty net to put an end to the match – 30:22 four and a half minutes before the end.

In the very end, debutant Martina Knežević also scored.

The most efficient player in our team was the aforementioned Đina Jauković with 12 goals. Matea Pletikosić added five, and Dijana Trivić and Tatjana Brnović each scored one less. Armel Atingre had eight saves (three 7-meter shots). Marija Marsenić had one blocked 7-meter shot.

On the other side, Torkelsdottir led the way with seven and Asmundsdottir with six goals. Helgadottir made 12 successful saves.

The qualifiers continue in April – Montenegro will host Portugal on April 9, while three days later they will welcome the Faroe Islands in Podgorica.