Montenegro’s national basketball team prepares for a pivotal clash against Romania tonight in Pitești, as they seek redemption following a significant loss to Portugal. The match, scheduled for 18:00 local time, is vital in the Group B qualifiers for the 2027 World Cup in Qatar. With only three out of four teams advancing to the next round, this encounter could prove decisive for Montenegro’s hopes.
After suffering an 83-62 defeat to Portugal during their season opener at the MTEL Arena in Morača, Montenegro enters this match with renewed urgency. The team, under the guidance of coach Andrej Žakelja, faces a challenging road ahead, particularly as they navigate the loss of several experienced players who have retired or moved to the NCAA league. The absence of injured players Petr Popović and Igor Drobnjak further complicates Montenegro’s efforts to regroup.
Despite Romania being the lowest-ranked team in their group, sitting at 66th in the FIBA standings compared to Montenegro’s 18th, the players remain cautious. As Zoran Nikolić, a center for the team, noted, “Romania has a good squad and must not be underestimated.” He emphasized the need for Montenegro to adapt quickly to their generational shift in players and to harness their energy from the start.
Andrija Slavković, a forward on the team, echoed this sentiment, stating that Montenegro must elevate their energy levels compared to their initial matchup. “We are a completely new team with many young players, but I am confident that our energy will be significantly higher,” he remarked.
In their previous game, Montenegro began strongly, leading 21-14 after the first quarter. However, the tide turned dramatically during the second and third quarters, both ending with a score of 25-11 in favor of Portugal. Slavković acknowledged the need for improvement, asserting, “Against Romania, it will be completely different from the first game.”
Romania, having also faced a heavy loss to Greece (91-64) in their opening qualifier, is similarly determined to bounce back. Mihai Silvășan, the Romanian coach, highlighted the importance of playing fast-paced basketball to counter Montenegro’s strengths. He remains confident in his team’s ability to learn from past mistakes and approach this match with a positive mindset.
As the teams prepare for their encounter, the stakes are set high. A victory for Montenegro would not only provide much-needed momentum but also position them favorably for the subsequent fixtures against stronger opponents in Group A, which includes teams like Spain and Ukraine.
As the clock ticks down to tip-off, Montenegro aims to deliver a performance that will heal the wounds from their opening match and set them on the path to securing a place in the next round of the World Cup qualifiers. The atmosphere in Pitești promises to be electric, as both teams strive for redemption and recognition on the international stage.
