The 'Guerreras' suffer a fateful debut in the European against Montenegro

Spain loses to the host Montenegro with the worrying injury of Silvia Navarro

The Spanish women's handball team lost (30-23) this Saturday against Montenegro its debut in the 2022 European Championship, a start at the Moraca Sports Center in Podgorica against the host in tow always and with the shock of Silvia Navarro's injury before the break, which gripped the Spanish game even more.

To the always complicated debut in a big event, the 'Guerreras' could add doing it in hostile territory, with much at stake in each match of a powerful Group D. Nerves and inaccuracies took over the first act and, the captain's injury , left a bad body that certainly did not help the reaction in the second half.

Spain will have to bring out its fighter gene to take flight from Monday on the second day of the first phase against Poland, in search of points and the pass to the 'Main Round'. Shandy Barbosa (5 goals) was the best of the Prades team, forced to turn the page quickly after a bad game and pending Silvia. Radicevic (5), Jaukovic and Malovic were the best in Montenegro, with a great first part of the Rajcic goal.

With a 6-1 start, the José Ignacio Prades found themselves in tow of a Montenegro that did not need to shine. Rajcic's saves, at times 75%, held down the host and precipitated the Spanish game, although the problem was behind. Mismatches in defense prevented the 'Guerreras' from playing.

The robbery and the counter, the rapid transition hallmark of the Spanish appeared in drops, with much to do with the Montenegrin train in motion. However, Spain managed to settle down and left eight minutes without scoring against their rival (6-4), but Rajcic did not fail. The entrance of Paula Arcos helped the 'Guerreras' believe, finally punishing the bad retreat of the Montenegrins (11-9).

Those of Prades, a team with several debutants, were aware of their mistakes and the time in the locker room seemed to come at a good time to make pineapple. However, on the last play Silvia Navarro was injured in her left knee, she was taken off the court with help and tears in her eyes. A serious emotional blow for all.

The lump in the throat was undoubtedly fat in the selection, seeing their flag fall, without time to assimilate it and with a very uphill game. Thus, the second half was a collapse that could be in any script, with Shandy Barbosa pulling the cart, without preventing Montenegro's income from settling on seven goals.

Spain seemed to have the motto of pressing on defense, but the referees, who swept home several times, did not forgive when they signaled the two minutes. The 'Guerreras' played in inferiority for many minutes and Montenegro enjoyed themselves at home (23-17), while nothing came out of Prades's, with a very low percentage of success.

The national coach changed his defense to 5:1 and the host did not hesitate to attack with seven. A game of slates that did not help a Spain that will have to improve everything if it wants to be among the best again after three bad Europeans and a year after staying on the verge of medals in 'their' World Cup.

DATASHEET

--RESULT: MONTENEGRO, 30 - SPAIN, 23. (12-9, at halftime).

--EQUIPMENT.

   MONTENEGRO: Batinovic (P), Rajcic (P), Nenezic (P); Radicevic (5), Bulatovic, Pavicevic (3), Kadovicnos, Brnovic (4), Alivodic (3), Godec, Popovic, Raicevic (3), Jaukovic (5), Pletikosic, Grbic (3), Malovic (4), Corovic y Kepic.

SPAIN: Silvia Navarro (P), Mercedes Castellanos (P), Maddi Aalla (P), Alicia Fernandez (4), Esther Arrojeria (2), Lara Gonzalez (2), Shandy Barbosa (5), Almudena Rodriguez, Irene Espinola, Paula Arcos (3), Jennifer Gutierrez (3), Soledad Lopez (!), Paula Valdivia, Maitane Etxeberria (1), Kaba Gassama (1), Lysa Tchaptchet (1) and Alba Spugnini.

--PARTIALS EVERY FIVE MINUTES: 3-0, 5-1, 6-3, 8-4, 11-7, 12-9 --break--, 15-10, 18-12, 20-14, 23- 16, 27-21, 30-23.

--REFEREES: Vranes and Wenninger.

--PAVILLION: Moraca Sports Center in Podgorica.