Montenegro Draws Against England Football Team

The Uefa Euro 2012 Group G qualifying game was played on Friday night in Podgorica stadium before thousands of Montenegro fans and around 1,200 England supporters.

Ashley Young opened the scoring in the 11th minute, heading in Theo Walcott's pinpoint cross from close range. Darren Bent made it 2-0 for England in the 31st minute when he tapped in Rooney's pass.

However Montenegro pulled a goal back through Elsad Zverotic seconds before the half-time break and substitute Andrija Delibasic snatched the equalizer in the final seconds of the match to clinch a place in the playoffs for the hosts.

England finished top of the group with 18 points from eight matches, with Montenegro second on 12 and Switzerland third on eight points.

One Montenegro fan told Balkan Insight that he felt honored to watch the game, which, he said, was historically significant for Montenegro.

“It was magnificent. The weapon shooting and gun fire was heard in the whole city a lot of time after the match, and people hear shoots just for Christmas. Our boys show the world that they can do it,” 29-year-old Bogdan Vucetic from Podgorica  told Balkan Insight one day after the match.

After the final whistle, thousands of Montenegro’s fans ran onto the court to celebrate the historic football success of this country, and the celebrations continued deep into the night on the town squares and cafes.
 
Montenegro’s coach Branko Brnovic said he was relieved Switzerland had suffered a 2-0 loss to Wales, handing his team second place in the group.

"I'm the happiest person the world tonight ... I've given the players the day off tomorrow," he said.

"Everyone thought I was mad to say we were strong enough to take on England. We had a very good game, especially in the second half. It's a big achievement to come back against a team like England".

The match was marked by a red card for England striker Wayne Rooney after he kicked Montenegro player Miodrag Dzudovic in the 78th minute.

"He made a silly mistake when he kicked the opponent ... I'm not happy," England coach Fabio Capello said after the match.

Meanwhile Prime Minister Igor Luksic also congratulated the success of the football players of Montenegro, writing on his facebook page: "Thank you brave ‘Hawk’s’ we are once again proud and happy! Congratulations! "