UPDATE: The Montenegro Women’s National Basketball Team is entering a critical phase of the European Championship qualifiers without key players. Coach Jelena Škerović has announced the roster for the upcoming matches, but star guard Sofija Živaljević will miss the action due to injury.
The team is set to regroup on March 8, 2023, in Riga, where they will face Ukraine in a must-win game on March 11, 2023. This match is crucial as Montenegro aims to secure a spot in the next round.
In addition to Živaljević’s absence, Dragana Živković and Jovana Savković are also sidelined with injuries. Živković, who plays for CS Rapid București, injured her ankle during the Romanian playoffs just minutes into the game on February 27. Meanwhile, Savković has been struggling with back issues and recently missed the final stage of the Montenegro Cup.
Montenegro’s current standing in Group E is precarious; they rank third after suffering a home defeat to Ukraine (71-65) and narrowly losing to Bulgaria (66-62), despite a significant victory over Azerbaijan (104-62). The stakes are high, as only two teams from each group will advance to the next round, along with the three best third-placed teams across all seven groups.
The upcoming matches in March are critical for Montenegro’s hopes, with the team scheduled to host Azerbaijan on March 14, 2023, and Bulgaria on March 17, 2023 in Bar. The absence of key players adds immense pressure on the remaining squad members to perform.
Fans are urged to support the team in these decisive encounters, as each game plays a pivotal role in their quest for European Championship qualification. The outcome of these matches could determine the future of Montenegro women’s basketball on the international stage.
Stay tuned for further updates as the qualifiers unfold, and follow the team’s journey as they strive to overcome these challenges.
