Montenegro secured their second win in as many matches at the 2024 IHF Women’s Junior World Championship, scoring at least 40 goals in the process for the second time, making a big step towards the main round, dominating Guinea, 43:30.

GROUP G
Montenegro vs Guinea 43:30 (25:13)

Two days removed from scoring their largest number of goals in a single match at the IHF Women’s Junior World Championship, 48 against Uzbekistan, Montenegro broke another record, this time for the largest number of goals scored in the first half of a match in the world handball flagship competition.

The European side faced Guinea in their second match at North Macedonia 2024 and delivered another fantastic attacking performance, with coach Igor Markovic instructing his players to run as much as they possibly could and they obliged, putting 25 past the African side in the first 30 minutes.

Captain Jelena Vukčević, who has already made her debut in the senior national team at the 2023 IHF Women’s World Championship, scored nine times, becoming the top goal scorer of the competition, while left wing Ivana Vujadinovic added seven more goals, as the two players combined for 16 of Montenegro’s 25 goals.

Guinea’s attack was plagued by misses, with their shooting efficiency dropping under 50% and Montenegro goalkeeper Marija Marsenić boasting a 52% saving efficiency, with 12 fantastic saves, including two penalties.

As Montenegro slowly started rolling out all their players on the court, to rest some key starters for tomorrow’s showdown against Portugal, their attacking rhythm slowed down, as Guinea also started scoring more goals, with line players Diaraye Soumah and Mayelie Soumah combining for 17 goals, but the African side could only limit the damage.

Eventually, Montenegro jumped to a 43:30 win, with Vukčević getting to 13 goals, consolidating her status as the top goal scorer of the competition, with 20 goals.

Montenegro have two wins in two matches and will qualify to the main round later if Portugal beat Uzbekistan. However, the two European sides in the group will clash in the last match, which will decide which one takes the largest number of points in the main round. 

Guinea, still looking for their first win at North Macedonia 2024, will have their chance against Uzbekistan in the last match of the Group G, scheduled for Saturday.

Alkaloid Player of the Match: Mariama Bangoura (Guinea)