Mighty Montenegro Stay Unbeaten

21-year-old forward Bojan Dubljevic led the way in Montenegro's tenth consecutive win with a 25-point, 12-rebound double-double

Montenegro completed an unbeaten romp through Group A of the EuroBasket Qualification Round with an 80-48 rout of the Slovak Republic.

The hosts improved to 10-0 in straightforward fashion, all but winning the game in the opening quarter as they took a 22-point lead inside the opening seven minutes.

Bojan Dubljevic scored 25 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, while Vladimir Dasic added 13 points and Suad Sehovic 12.

Montenegro scored the first eight points unanswered and led 25-3 when Sehovic hit a jump-shot to cap a 13-0 run.

Dasic's free throws made it 27-6 to end the first quarter.

The Slovaks found some rhythm in the second period, with Martin Sykora's three making it 37-20, but Montenegro then scored the final seven points of the half to lead by 24 at the break.

The hosts continued to edge further and further clear through the second half to complete what was easily the biggest of their 10 qualifying wins.

Dusan Pandula led the Slovaks with 11 points.

Quotes Montenegro vs. Slovak Republic

Slovak Republic head coach Peter Balint
"Congratulations to Montenegro, they deserved the victory. The hosts played much better than us. They played with energy and had the desire to win. We had a very poor start, I don't know what happened to my players, because we wanted to be a good opponent. In the second half we tried to get back into the match, but we did not have the strength to succeed at it. I wish all the best to Montenegro at the EuroBasket."

Montenegro head coach Luka Pavicevic
"It is clear that we have a better team and a better game from Slovakia and we were in effect the absolute favourites. Even though we had qualified for the EuroBasket and taken first place in the group in the last game we had a desire to affirm the quality that we have shown. We had a motive to provide the maximum in front of our crowd and despite the fact that we are missing a few players. I think we succeeded in doing that, and that we, together with the fans, made a basketball party, which ended in victory to the delight of us all. In the last three games we felt the consequences of serious competition, in which we have played ten matches in just 27 days and had a tough trip. We are very satisfied with our results in qualification."

Slovak Republic player Roman Vido
"We played against the leader of the group who has played great from the start. We had a big deficit midway through of the first quarter. We tried to get back and reduce the gap, to be a good opponent, but it was not easy. Congratulations to Montenegro for the victory and all the best at the EuroBasket."

Montenegro player Nikola Ivanovic
"We did a great job in qualifying. We deserved to reach this success. We knew we were a great favourite in the duel against Slovakia and that victory should not come into question. We are glad that we have all the fans who were constantly with us and support us again in large numbers and I'm sure everyone enjoyed what we showed."