01.06.2016, 09:33
One more win is all it takes for Montenegro

PREVIEW: Montenegro can book their ticket to the EHF EURO 2016, and Russia want to keep their qualification record clean when Round 5 of the qualification concludes on Thursday

One more win is all it takes for Montenegro

The penultimate round of the Women’s EHF EURO Qualification concludes on Thursday with two matches. EHF EURO 2012 champions Montenegro travel to FYR Macedonia where they can seal their EHF EURO 2016 berth with a win.

Russia are one of two teams already qualified, the other one being France. Their away game in Portugal is hence more a matter of honour, even though they will striving to keep their unbeaten record in this campaign.

Group 4: FYR Macedonia vs. Montenegro, 18:00 hrs local time in Skopje

With six points on their account, Montenegro can already book their EHF EURO ticket depending on the result of Wednesday’s match between Slovenia and Croatia. The Montenegrins won the first leg against their opponents easily by 21:14, while the hosts are still waiting for their first point in this qualification.

Due to their larger international experience, the EHF EURO 2012 champions can be expected to take their fourth win in this campaign.

Head coach Dragan Adzic might even use this game for some rotations and to give some key players a rest before the final home clash against Slovenia on 5 June.

Group 6: Portugal vs. Russia, 19:45 hrs local time in Sao Joao da Madeira

The 39:19 home win in this encounter’s first leg has been the second clearest victory in this qualification, ranking only behind the Netherlands’ 45:24 against Bulgaria.

But it is not only this results that confirms Russia’s role as clear favourites in this match. The team of head coach Evgenij Trefilov was the first to qualify for the EHF EURO 2016 in Sweden and is together with France the only one with the maximum of eight points after four rounds in its tally.

Portugal won their home match against Turkey (24:23) but these have been the only points they gained to date.

TEXT: Björn Pazen / ts