08.04.2016, 12:20
Buducnost with a job to finish

QUARTER-FINAL PREVIEW: The Montenegrin team aim to proceed to the Women's EHF FINAL4 for the third time by winning at home against HCM Baia Mare.

Buducnost with a job to finish

With the away victory against HCM Baia Mare and a five-goal advantage from the first leg (29:24), it seems like the ticket to a third consecutive Women's EHF FINAL4 for Buducnost is all but secured.

Buducnost (MNE) vs HCM Baia Mare (ROU)
Sunday 10 April, 19:00 hrs local time, live on ehfTV

Although they won in Romania, Buducnost's coach Dragan Adzic was only satisfied with the result after the match, not with the game itself.

His team lead 10:3 after 19 minutes and 18:10 at the beginning of the second half, but HCM Baia Mare came back to within a goal nine minutes before the end of the game. Luckily for Buducnost, they woke up just in the nick of time and finished the game with a five-goal victory.

"We are not satisfied with the game in defence, but we had good offence. We practically always created good situations to score. However, we did not defend the way we can. I believe we will play better in Podgorica and qualify for the FINAL4," Buducnost centre back player Milena Raicevic said.

Unlike most other teams in the Women's EHF Champions League, Buducnost do not have a high quality domestic championship - they only play the final part of it. Therefore, the problem for the Montenegrin powerhouse is to keep the competitive rhythm.

But, thanks to excellent work of Dragan Adzic and his coaching staff and the quality, fighting spirit and winning mentality of the team, Buducnost can win games even if they are not at 100%.

Buducnost have not lost a home game in the competition since 10 March 2013, when Györi Audi ETO KC won in Podgorica (22:21). The Montenegrin champions also have a positive record against Romanian teams – six wins, one draw and four defeats.

"We are not in top shape, but because of the league situation we can’t be in form throughout the whole season. We know that from before and we do not burden ourselves. The current goal is to play the second leg against HCM Baia Mare the best we can and achieve a victory, then we will have a month to prepare for Budapest," said right wing Radmila Petrovic, who scored seven goals from as many shots in the first leg.

Having not taken the advantage of home court, it becomes difficult for HCM Baia Mare to expect they will go to Podgorica and get a victory by at least six goals.

"In the first game we largely lacked determination and missed easy shots, which were perhaps the biggest problems. We have also been weakened without injured Melinda Geiger and Paula Ungureanu, while Adriana Nechita is out due to pregnancy. All that reflected on our team. I can say that I am disappointed, we gave our best, but we could have finished better," HCM Baia Mare line player Katarina Jezic said.

On Sunday, Jezic is coming back to Moraca hall, where she played two seasons as a Buducnost player from 2012 to 2014.  

"I look forward to playing again in Podgorica, because I know what the atmosphere is like there and I can’t wait to feel that atmosphere again, though now in the Baia Mare jersey. The only thing that is important for my team and me on Sunday’s match is to give all our best and to enjoy every moment spent on court," Jezic added.

TEXT: Saša Jončić / es, cor