In a qualification match for European handball championship 2016 Croatian female team won against Montenegro in Split
More than three thousand fans appeared in Spaladium Arena, Split, to support the Croatian female team on Thursday, March 10 in their effort to qualify for the European Championship which will take place in Sweden later this year. Croatia was up against Montenegro, two teams topping the table of Group 4 of the qualifications, so the win for either of the teams was to get them on the verge of winning the group.
Montenegro started the game in better shape, Croatian players seemed a bit off, but brilliant Andrea Penezić kept the Croatian team close, scoring first 4 goals for the team. Montenegro was in the lead, even by a three-goal difference, but after 20 minutes of the game, as Katarina Ježić entered the game bringing that something extra both in offence and defence, and it was Ježić that scored the equalizer in 26th minute.
It was all even at halftime, 13-13, Montenegro again starting better, but in the second half crowd got more involved, and as the Croatian defense got more aggressive, home court advantage started to kick in, with Montenegrin players passing a couple of balls directly out of the court. Croatian goalkeeper Ivana Kapitanović added few saves, and at last, Croatia got ahead, 19-18 in the 45th minute of the game, with Andrea Penezić scoring her 10th goal of her total 12.
Croatia kept the lead till the end of the game, and with Ćamila Mičijević scoring for 23-21, just 30 seconds before the end, it was time for celebrations for the home team.
We talked with Andrea Penezić just after the game, and she was pleased with the result and thanked the fans for their support. She said that it all started somewhat slow, but as the game went on, they got it together and got the desired win. She complimented Montenegrin team and said they were a tough opponent. As they are to play a return match in Bar on Saturday, Andrea said it will be even more difficult there, but no white flags are to be raised, and they will do everything in their power to secure the ticket for Sweden in that match.
