The new Head coach of the women’s national team of Montenegro, Kim Rasmussen, arrived in Podgorica, where he will do the first training in the preparations for the European Championship in Denmark today.
When the Montenegrin handball players were at the peak of their results, one of their biggest admirers was Kim Rasmussen, who said in an informal chat with Montenegrin journalists in Herning in 2015 that the „lionesses“ are the best national team in the world. Five years after his words, he became the fifth coach of Montenegro, and he will make his debut on the bench in Herning, at the 14th European Championship, in a duel with the current champion France.
Until three days ago, it was thought that the first training would be led by Per Johansson and his assistants Adrian Vasile and Novak Ristović, but RSCG decided just like in 2017, when the Swedish expert succeeded Dragan Adžić. That is why Rasmussen and new assistants – Bojana Popović and Gojko Vučinić – will work with 19 players today.
– I was happy and proud when I heard that people in Montenegro are thinking about me, that they want me to help them in this situation. Montenegro was one of the best national teams in the world for a long time, but many players who brought medals interrupted their careers and left the door open for the younger generations. It will be interesting to see in the short term at the European Championship what the team can do, and maybe in the long run I will help them achieve good results – Rasmussen said for the Montenegrin media
The coach who won the title in the Champions League with CSM Bucharest in 2016, agreed to a short-term contract.
– For now, we have agreed to lead the national team to the Olympic Games. Everything happened quickly, and now my goal is to meet girls at the European Championships, to learn a little more from each other. The Olympic qualifiers are in March, we will see what will happen then. I hope we do well, maybe then I sign a long-term contract.
He is aware that he cannot change the game of Montenegro in such a short time, but only bring some finesse.
– Now I am focused only on the European Championship. I want to see how I can help the team, and it is clear that I cannot leave a mark on the game. So I will spend these 10 days differently, to see if there is room for small tactical surprises, to just slightly adapt Per’s game.
He expects great help from Popović, who has a cult status in Denmark.
– It is very important that she is with me, I am overjoyed about that. She knows everything – both the concept of the game and the player, and when the work time is so short, her help will be crucial. I will be able to focus on some other things, and the girls will be relaxed when they know that Bojana is next to the out-line. I can’t wait to start working with her, to see what she is like as a coach.
In relation to the World Cup in Japan, where the 5th place was won, Montenegro is weaker by four players from the starting lineup – retired Katarina Bulatović, injured Tatjana Brnović, and Milena Raičević and Marina Rajčić, who are in second condition. With a rejuvenated squad, one of the first three places in Group A with France, Denmark and Slovenia will be sought.
– It will be a big test, but it is certainly possible. The team lost a lot of experience, which is necessary in big competitions. We have to find a way to make up for it, I’ll try to find out. Montenegro has world-class players in all positions, who can solve the match on their own, and it is clear that we have a lot of options. But France, Denmark and Slovenia, which is getting stronger with the return of Barbara Lazovic, will be very strong rivals – emphasizes the 48-year-old who was the coach of Poland (twice a World Cup semifinalist) and Hungary.
Montenegro’s trump card is the heart, Rasmussen points out.
– We have to find the right attitude and balance, both mentally and physically. All the players have passed and this season they had a difficult situation with the crown and isolation, we must try not to run out of batteries ahead of time. This is a different challenge from all the ones I have had so far, but I like things like this, when I have to learn, that’s why I’m looking forward to it. With the heart that these girls have, anything is possible.
I will respect Pero’s list, there is time for Đurđina Malović
Rasmussen has been the coach of the Polish MKS Lublin since this summer, in which he cooperates with Đurđina Malović and Andrijana Tatar. Levoruk Nikšićanka could later join the national team, but he decided to rely on the list that was made earlier.
– I will respect the selection that Per made. Only 16 players can go to Denmark, and I will have to leave three at home. It’s always the hardest part of the job, because I have to ruin someone’s dream. As for Gina, she works hard and gets to know herself every week. We have to have patience, she needs time to return to the desired level, because she practically did not play for two years due to injuries. I am happy that she came with me to Lublin, and she needs peace and patience to build her game. She lost a lot of time, but I’m sure she will return to the level she can be. Now, however, I will not join it, because I want to respect Per’s list – Rasmussen pointed out.
Tatareva could also make her debut in the national team in the future.
– I am overjoyed with everything Andrijana does. She trains well, listens to all the advice, she is an extraordinary teammate. There are a few things he has to learn about the way I would like to play handball, it is slowly evolving. She is the „killer“ I wanted in the team, she just has to be a little smarter in her decisions, especially in defense. I am convinced that she will develop into a great player.
Except for them, the doors of the national team will be open to everyone while Rasmussen is the selector.
– The good thing for Malović and Tatareva is that they work with me on a daily basis and know what I am looking for. The doors of the national team will always be open for everyone who plays handball from Montenegro and wants to be in the team. I know that Montenegrin players are „hungry“ for playing for the national team.
