Montenegro’s Women Fall Short Against Bulgaria in Eurobasket Qualifiers

Montenegro’s women’s basketball team suffered a setback in their quest for qualification for Eurobasket, losing to Bulgaria 66-62 in Botevgrad on January 25, 2024. This defeat marks Montenegro’s second loss in the first round of qualifiers, following a prior win against Azerbaijan. With two losses against key competitors Ukraine and Bulgaria, Montenegro’s path to the next round now appears challenging.

The match started with Montenegro initially taking the lead, but Bulgaria showcased their prowess in the closing minutes. A three-pointer by Ivanova with just 1:53 remaining solidified Bulgaria’s victory and nearly ensured their progression to the next stage of the tournament. Bulgaria quickly established an early advantage, jumping to an 8-4 lead within two minutes, thanks to successive three-pointers.

Montenegro faced difficulties at the outset, experimenting with an unusual lineup featuring Leković, Živković, Akšam, Kovačević, and Mek. The tactical choice to place Akšam in a forward position was soon abandoned, leading to a substitution that improved the team’s performance. A quick 6-0 run allowed Montenegro to take their first lead at 10-8, with Mek dominating the boards and contributing defensively.

Bulgaria struggled offensively in the first quarter, relying on difficult shots. Montenegro capitalized, crafting a 9-0 run led by Dragana Živković, who sank a three-pointer and finished a fast break to push the score to 12-21. In the closing moments of the first quarter, strategic substitutions attempted by Montenegro backfired, allowing Bulgaria to reduce the gap to 18-21 by the end of the period.

As the second quarter unfolded, Bulgaria began to find their rhythm, tying the game at 20-21 after a series of effective plays. Despite facing pressure, Montenegro maintained their advantage until the halftime mark, leading 36-32. However, the momentum shifted in the third quarter when Bulgaria took the lead, primarily through a remarkable assist by Hristova to Manolova, resulting in a score of 40-39.

The game remained closely contested, with both teams trading leads. As the third period concluded, Montenegro was trailing 52-50. The final quarter saw intense exchanges, with Bulgaria maintaining a slight edge. A pivotal three-pointer from Ivanova at 1:52 left Bulgaria ahead 65-62. A critical moment occurred when Leković lost possession, allowing Hristova to secure two free throws, further extending Bulgaria’s lead to 66-62.

Despite a late opportunity for Montenegro to turn the tide, their efforts fell short, and Bulgaria emerged victorious. Notably, Montenegro played without Sofija Živaljević, who had to return to her club in Ruzomberok, leaving the team with a rotation of 11 players.

In a parallel matchup, Ukraine dispatched Azerbaijan with a commanding 98-34 victory, establishing their dominance in the group. The outcomes from these matches suggest that Montenegro will need to regroup and focus on securing wins against both Bulgaria and Ukraine in the upcoming matches to keep their qualification hopes alive.