Dubljevic named captain as Montenegro go for Glory

PODGORICA (FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2019 Qualifiers) – Montenegro are entering new territory after Jelena Dubljevic took the captaincy from the retired Jelena Skerovic, while Glory Johnson has been confirmed as a new naturalized player.

Things aren't going to be quite the same for the Balkan side in the absence of the legendary Skerovic, who captained the side for more than a decade during their brief time as an independent basketball nation, as well as the towering frame of Iva Perovanovic who has also called it a day.

That throws much responsibility onto the shoulders of Galatasaray star Jelena Dubljevic for the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2019 Qualifiers. 

She will take the arm band and the honor from her predecessor, with the forward having a new frontcourt colleague, since the departing Perovanovic and former naturalized center Angelica Robinson are making way for WNBA standout Glory Johnson.

"As captain, I have to say that for the first time in ten years we will be without two players in Jelena and Iva, but should not waste too many words, because everyone already knows what kind of players they are," stated Dubljevic, who missed the Final Round earlier this year with injury.

"On behalf of the team and all the players, I want to thank them and of course we will miss them. The sooner we accept it in our heads, then we will then be able to move forward.

"This is a new beginning, a new team composition. There are new players who need to understand the responsibility that is ahead of them and to approach it in a new way, because everything we did before belongs to the past, whatever it may be."

Meanwhile head coach, Roberto Iniguez continues at the helm, looking for his side to improve on their results in Prague at FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017, where they lost all three of their games.

He said: "It's a pleasure to be here again with the team. For me, this is not just a gathering for qualifying matches, which is of course important, but it is most important to start a new process and strategy.

"A new cycle begins with a slightly changed squad, without individual players and with new players who will replace those who are no longer here.

"Younger players must already show what they can do it and this is the most important part of the work that needs to be done - young players must enter the fire and reach the level required," warned the playcaller.

Montenegro will play in Group A against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland and Slovak Republic.

FIBA