25.09.2012, 03:56
New era in Montenegrin women's handball

Katarina Bulatović leaves future in national team open

New era in Montenegrin women's handball

After having won silver at the London 2012 Olympic Games as an Olympic debutant, a new chapter opens for Montenegro's women's handball team.

The reason is well known – two world class players, Bojana Popović and Maja Savić retired from their career after the London Games.

However, on head coach Dragan Adžić's list of players for the upcoming test matches (October 1 to October 6) the name of Katarina Bulatović (picture) appears.

The right back, who just signed with Romanian club Oltchim Rm. Valcea, had, after the Olympic Games, originally announced the end of her career in the national team.

But Adžić stated that, "people from the Montenegrian (handball) federation contacted all the players, and I expect them all to come."

Bulatović hence confirmed that she will come to Podgorica for the upcoming test matches, but she did not go into further detail on whether she will continue playing for the national team.

"About that, I will speak first with the coach Dragan Adžić and then to the journalists. One thing is certain, I am coming to Podgorica to see all the girls, and to answer the call of the coach. About all other things, we will see later,” Bulatović said.

Bulatović explained that she has lot of problems with her tendon and that she wants to cure it before making any further decisions.

“Problem with the tendon is the reason I said that I will not play for the national team anymore. I need to heal the tendon prior to the start of EHF Champions League. After I have spoken with coach Adžić, I will be able to tell you something more”, Bulatović added.

Third goalkeeper Mirjana Milenković, new member of French club Besançon, will also miss the test matches.

New names in the team are 18-year-old goalkeeper Katarina Perović, coming from Biseri Pljevlja, and right-back Andrea Klikovac (21), who play for FYR Macedonian team of Vardar.

The team will gather together on October 1 in Podgorica, where the team will train for few days before leaving for Ohrid, where Montenegro will play two test matches against FYR Macedonia (October 4 and October 5).

The team as announced by head coach Adžić:

Goalkeepers: Sonja Barjaktarović (Rostov-Don, Russia), Marina Vukčević (Budućnost), Katarina Perović (Biseri);

Wings: Biljana Pavićević (Budućnost), Majda Mehmedović (Budućnost), Radmila Miljanić (Budućnost), Jovanka Radičević (Györi Audi ETO KC, Hungary):

Line players: Suzana Lazović (Budućnost), Ana Đokić (Rostov-Don, Russia) Sara Vukčević (ETV-Erdi VSE, Hungary);

Backs: Marija Jovanović (Oltchim Rm. Valcea, Romania), Sandra Nikčević (Alcoa FKC, Hundary), Milena Knežević (Budućnost), Anđela Bulatović (Budućnost), Ana Radović (KIF Vejen, Denmark), Katarina Bulatović (Oltchim Rm. Valcea, Romania), Jasna Tošković (Issy Paris Hand, France), Andrea Klikovac (Vardar, FYR Macedonia).

TEXT: Saša Jončić / ts