Montenegro opened Group C at the 24th IHF Women’s World Championship with a four-goal win over Senegal, thereby becoming the first side in Yatsushiro General Gymnasium to add two points to their collection. Although the final score might make it appear as though it was a clear win for the European side, the difference stood at just one goal as late as the 57th minute, before Montenegro sealed the win with three unanswered goals. 

GROUP C
Montenegro vs Senegal 29:25 (14:15)

It was their first match at an IHF Women’s World Championship, but no one watching would have assumed that given Senegal’s impressive display against Montenegro. The European side, who count on a number of experienced players that claimed the Olympic silver medal and the continental title in 2012, were well-matched by the African debutants, and the result was a thrilling game decided in the last minutes. 

In the end it was Montenegro’s greater experience that won them the match, as they turned a one-goal lead into the four-goal victory in the high-pressure final stages. Prior to that, the difference was never greater than two goals. 

Senegal were led by a strong back court, with right back Fanta Keita and left back Amina Sankhare top scoring for their side with five goals each. For Montenegro, the top scorer was left back Durdina Jaukovic, with seven goals. Senegal goalkeeper Hatadou Sako also had a superb game, clearly winning the contest between the posts, with 12 saves. 

Senegal’s defence and fast returns to the line limited Montenegro’s fast breaks considerably, and Sako made a number of outstanding saves off open chances from the usually highly effective shooters on the wings – Jovanka Radicevic on the right and Majda Mehmedovic on the left. However, the Montenegrin pair still managed a combined nine goals. 

Still, those disruptions to Montenegro’s game were enough to keep Senegal level and even in front for a period from the end of the first half through to the 40th minute. With a quarter of the game remaining, Montenegro had created one of the two-goal distances rarely seen throughout the entire 60 minutes, but Senegal soon closed the gap and at the 50-minute mark, 24:23, it was still anyone’s game. 

Senegal’s French coach Frederic Bougeant called a time-out in the 53rd, as Montenegro threatened to take firm control with a 25:23 advantage. Although his team once again decreased the distance to one, some important saves from Montenegro keeper Marta Batinovic paved the way for the European side to take the deciding lead at the crucial moment. 

hummel Player of the Match: Durdina Jaukovic, Montenegro