The women’s handball teams of France and Montenegro secured a place in the semi-finals of the European Women’s Handball Championship a round before the end of the second phase of the competition.
Olympic champion French beat Germany by 29-21 (13-9) in Skopje and with a total asset of 8 points guaranteed themselves the first place in Group 2. Thus, they continue the fight for a fourth consecutive European championship medal, having also won their only title in the series so far in 2018 in Paris.
The top scorer for France was Orlane Kanor with 5 goals, while Pauletta Foppa and Coralie Lassource added 4 goals each. For the team of Germany, Alina Grijseels scored 7 goals.
Montenegro won dramatically against Romania with 35-34 (18-18) and secured second place in the group with 6 points. The match was closely contested, with the Romanians leading 21-19 at the start of the second half, but a key 5-1 run saw Montenegro turn it to 33-30 in their favor with five minutes to go and not allow themselves to be caught until the final siren.
Jovanka Radicevic was the most successful for Montenegro with 8 goals, including the key 24 seconds before the expiration of regular time goal for 35-33. Itana Grbic added 8 goals for the success. For the Romanians, who remained in the last sixth place in the group with 2 points, the leader of the team Cristina Neagu stood out with 9 hits.
Montenegro reached the semi-finals of the European Women’s Handball Championship for the first time since 2012 when they won gold in Belgrade.
