URGENT UPDATE: The Montenegro Women’s Basketball Team is facing a significant injury crisis as they prepare for crucial qualifiers for the European Championship. Coach Jelena Škerović has announced the roster for the upcoming matches, but key player Sofija Živaljević will miss the action due to injury.
The team is set to gather on March 8, 2023, in Riga, Latvia, where they will play against Ukraine on March 11. This match is vital as Ukraine is the formal host for the qualifiers. Montenegro must secure wins in their remaining games to improve their standing in Group E, where they currently sit third.
In addition to Živaljević, who plays for Slovak club Ruzomberok, two other players, Dragana Živković and Jovana Savković, are also sidelined. Živković suffered an ankle injury just two minutes into her game on February 27, while Savković has been struggling with a back injury for over a month and recently missed the final tournament of the Montenegro Cup.
The broader roster includes notable players such as Marija Leković from Estepona (Spain), Bojana Kovačević from Hapoel Petah Tikva (Israel), and Natasha Mack from Phoenix (USA), among others.
Montenegro’s performance has been mixed so far in the qualifiers. They lost to Ukraine at home (71-65), achieved a decisive victory over Azerbaijan (104-62), but narrowly fell to Bulgaria (66-62). With only the top two teams from each group and three best third-placed teams advancing, the stakes are incredibly high.
After the match against Ukraine, Montenegro will host Azerbaijan on March 14 and Bulgaria on March 17 in Bar, making these home games crucial for their qualification hopes.
Fans and supporters are urged to rally behind the team during this challenging time, as the players look to overcome these injuries and secure their spot in the European Championship. The urgency of the upcoming matches cannot be overstated, and the team needs all the support it can muster as they aim for victory in the face of adversity.
Stay tuned for live updates as Montenegro embarks on this critical phase of their European Championship journey.
