Despite draw: Serbia clinches ticket in long-distance duel with Montenegro
Despite a draw in the exciting group final, Serbia has become the 17th team to qualify for next year's European Football Championship in Germany.
The team led by former Frankfurt Bundesliga professional Filip Kostic could not get past a 2:2 (1:0) draw against winless Bulgaria at home in Leskovac. Nevertheless, Serbia finished second in Group G in the long-distance duel with Montenegro, who lost 3-1 (1-0) to leaders Hungary in Budapest at the same time.
Werder Bremen's Milos Veljkovic (16th minute) had put Serbia ahead. In the second half, Geogi Rusev (59') and Kiril Despodov (69') initially turned the game in favor of the bottom of the table, before Srdjan Babic saved the hosts a point with his goal in the 82nd minute. This is Serbia's first European Championship appearance as an independent country.
Dominik Szoboszlai was the winner of the game in Budapest. With a brace in the 66th and 68th minute, the former Leipzig player secured a flattering victory for Hungary, who had already qualified for the European Championships, after Slobodan Rubezic (36') had put the visitors in front. Adam Nagy (90.+3) scored Hungary's third goal in stoppage time. A win and defeat for Serbia would have secured Montenegro a ticket to the European Championship.
Even though Montenegro lost to Hungary, their chance for European Championship qualification relied on Serbia's result against Bulgaria. Regardless of Serbia drawing with Bulgaria, they were already eligible for the European Championship due to their strong performance in the group stages, focused on the Soccer European Championship qualification.
Source: www.dpa.com
