Slovenia claim last ticket to Sweden

Montenegro wrapped up the Women’s EHF EURO 2016 Qualification Phase with a narrow win that secured their place at the top of Group 4.

15 of the 16 teams to play in Sweden were determined after Round 5 was played earlier in the week, with only the best-ranked third-placed team to decide in Round 6.

Slovenia earned that place based on crucial points won against Croatia on Wednesday and goal difference.

Sweden were automatically granted a spot at the final tournament as hosts, and now the other 15 teams to join them through qualification are confirmed: Norway, Romania, Serbia, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Spain, Croatia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Hungary, Poland, Russia, Denmark, France and Germany.

GROUP 4:

Montenegro vs Slovenia 24:22 (13:11)

Slovenia entered the Round 6 match with everything at stake, though the odds of the situation working out in their favour were good.

The visiting team would qualify as the best-ranked third-placed team out of all groups even if they lost to Montenegro – as long as it was by less than 12 goals.

As Montenegro had already booked their place in Sweden and were expected to win the match in Bijelo Polje, it was not unexpected for coach Dragan Adzic to start with a different line-up than usual.

The wing duo of Majda Mehmedovic and Jovanka Radicevic, along with Milena Raicevic, were all on court from the first whistle, however.

The three EHF EURO 2012 champions led the home team’s attack through the first half, contributing 11 of Montenegro’s goals between them despite a minor injury to Radicevic’s hand midway through the half.

Slovenia struggled to find shooting opportunities, with Neli Irman the only successful shooter with three goals from three shots in the first half.

Ana Gros scored on just one of her six attempts in the first period, severely hindering Slovenia’s opportunity to level the score – though they kept pace remarkably well considering the misfires.

At half-time the difference was only two, but those two goals remained crucial as Montenegro held a steady advantage into the second period.

With 15 minutes left Montenegro still led by three goals at 20:17, but two consecutive goals for the visitors allowed Barbara Lazovic to score her seventh goal and equalise at 20:20 just as the clock showed 50 minutes.

Slovenia could only hold on for a couple of minutes before Raicevic struck twice, with her 11th goal taking Montenegro two in front at 23:21 with just over three minutes left.

After a time-out Slovenia’s Lina Krhlikar closed the gap to one with a minute and a half on the clock, and the 60-second countdown began with Montenegro in possession.

Adzic called a time-out and Mehmedovic was the next to score, giving the hosts a two-goal lead inside the last 30 seconds and deciding the match.