Montenegro Falls to Bulgaria 66-62 in Eurobasket Qualifiers

In a tightly contested match, Montenegro’s national women’s basketball team suffered a disappointing defeat against Bulgaria, losing 66-62 in Botevgrad during the third round of Eurobasket qualifiers. The loss complicates Montenegro’s path to advancing to the main round, following a mixed performance that included a victory over Azerbaijan and losses to both Ukraine and Bulgaria.

Montenegro had a strong start, leading for much of the game. However, Bulgaria managed to showcase their skills in the final minutes, with a critical three-pointer from Ivana Ivanova securing their victory and putting them in a favorable position for advancement. After falling behind early, Bulgaria rallied back to take control, with two consecutive three-pointers giving them an 8-4 lead just two minutes into the game.

The Montenegrin team, fielding an unconventional lineup that included Jelena Škerović, Dragana Živković, and others, initially struggled with their strategy. An early adjustment by coach Savković brought in Savković for Akšam, which seemed to stabilize the team. Montenegro responded with a quick 6-0 run, eventually leading 10-8.

Despite a few shaky moments, Montenegro capitalized on Bulgaria’s offensive struggles, executing a 9-0 run largely credited to Živković. Her three-pointer and subsequent layup extended the lead to 21-12. However, in the final minute of the first quarter, an offensive foul by Šćepanović led to a foul shot for Bulgaria, prompting a shift back in momentum as the quarter ended 21-18 in favor of Montenegro.

The second quarter saw Bulgaria continue to fight back, completing an 8-0 run to take a narrow lead at 20-21. Montenegro managed to maintain its advantage, but Bulgaria’s persistence paid off. By halftime, the score was 36-32, leaving Montenegro with work to do.

As the third quarter unfolded, Bulgaria seized the lead for the first time with a remarkable assist from Hristova that set up Manolova for a basket, bringing the score to 40-39. The teams exchanged leads, with intense back-and-forth play leading to a tight score of 52-50 at the end of the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, the game remained neck-and-neck. With just under two minutes remaining, Ivanova’s three-pointer put Bulgaria ahead 65-62. A crucial moment occurred when Leković turned the ball over, allowing Hristova to increase Bulgaria’s lead with free throws, finalizing the score at 66-62. Montenegro’s efforts to reclaim the win fell short, and they were left to reflect on missed opportunities.

Notably, Montenegro played without key player Sofija Živaljević, who had returned to her club in Ružomberok, leaving the team with only 11 players in rotation. The defeat leaves Montenegro in a precarious position as they look ahead to the March qualifiers, where they will need a strong performance to secure a spot in the main round.

In a parallel game, Ukraine demonstrated their dominance by defeating Azerbaijan 98-34, underscoring the need for Montenegro to secure wins against both Bulgaria and Ukraine in the upcoming matches. As the Eurobasket qualifiers continue, the stakes have never been higher for the Montenegrin team.