URGENT UPDATE: Montenegro’s junior volleyball teams are set to fight for bronze medals at the prestigious “Winter Nations Cup” in Pordenone, Italy, after both squads suffered disappointing defeats in the semifinals. The women’s team faced a strong challenge from Japan, falling decisively with a score of 3-0 (25-18, 25-20, 25-17). They will now battle the Czech Republic for third place on Sunday at 9:00 AM.
Meanwhile, the men’s team was in a promising position, leading 2-0 against the Czech Republic before collapsing to a 3-2 loss (14-25, 25-27, 25-12, 25-16, 15-11). They will compete against Croatia for bronze at 11:00 AM on Sunday.
Both teams had previously shown strength during the group stages, with the women finishing second after victories against Egypt (3-2) and Croatia (3-1), despite a tough loss to Germany (0-3). The men’s squad also claimed second place, defeating Egypt (3-1) but falling to Germany (2-3) and Croatia (2-3) in tightly contested matches.
This tournament is crucial for the development of Montenegro’s young athletes as they prepare for the second round of qualifiers for the European Championship, scheduled for late March 2024. The women will compete in Maribor against Slovenia, Belgium, and Slovakia, while the men will host matches in Podgorica against France, Croatia, and Israel.
Fans are encouraged to support their teams as they aim for podium finishes, with both matches expected to draw significant attention. The outcome of these games will not only determine the immediate success of the teams but also provide invaluable experience ahead of the critical European qualifiers. Stay tuned for live updates as Montenegro looks to secure bronze medals!
