"We are like a family," says Bulatović

Celebrations are far from over in Montenegro as the country is still gripped by the success of its women's national team that beat defending champions Norway in the EHF EURO 2012 final on 16 December.

A mere week after the victory eurohandball.com talked to Montenegro's Katarina Bulatović, who was voted into the All Star team as the  tournament's best right back, about her feelings after winning the first title with the national team.

eurohandball.com: You won the Women's EHF Champions League with Budućnost this year, you claimed silver with the national team at the London 2012 Olympic Games and now you have won EHF EURO 2012. How do you feel about this year?

Katarina Bulatović: We made history. We are excited by this, we finished the year in a phenomenal way, after some fantastic 80 minutes in the final of EHF EURO against the Norwegians.

eurohandball.com: Is it fair to say that at the EHF EURO 2012 final you were determined to win against Norway as you had lost the 2012 Olympic final against the exact same team?

Katarina Bulatović: We had such an impression on the court because we knew it was our chance that we should use. We were close to winning the final at the Olympics, but we did not succeed back then.

It was payback time now. We have shown that we have more character, will, desire, patience and nerves than Norway. I can't say how happy we are because we dethroned Norway.

We have shown that we are mentally phenomenal team, great set of individuals, and coach (Dragan) Adžić fit in all that in a superb way.

eurohandball.com: What was the secret of your success in Serbia?

Katarina Bulatović: From game to game we played better and better. We had a lot of individuals in great form, every player was giving her maximum. We are, literally, like a family, and that's why we got the gold medal.

eurohandball.com: Did you expect such a big support of Montenegrin fans in Belgrade and the magnificent welcome in Podgorica for the team?

Katarina Bulatović: The fans have really been phenomenal. I've said a million times that they are the best. A big 'thank-you' to everyone who came to Belgrade to support us, they definitely were our eighth player.

I am particularly delighted about the welcome in Podgorica. Again, it was phenomenal, as after it was after London. This is something that needs to be lived and what needs to be experienced. We will try everything to continue to bring medals and not to disappoint the fans.

eurohandball.com: In Serbia you were top scorer and voted the All Star right back. Because of those results and also because of the success in London with Budućnost, Bojana Popović and you were awarded Athletes of the Year in Montenegro. How do you feel about that?

Katarina Bulatović: Surely, I am very pleased with those recognitions. They mean a lot to me. I finished the season in the best possible way.

eurohandball.com: In addition to EHF EURO 2012 gold and Olympic silver with the national team you also won the Women's EHF Champions League with Danish side Slagelse in 2007 and with Budućnost in 2012. What's your favourite momentof these four?

Katarina Bulatović: Honestly, the silver medal at the Olympic Games is still my favourite. After that I put in second place the gold from EHF EURO in Serbia and the victory at the Women's EHF Champions League with Budućnost. In the third place I put the trophy with Slagelse.