The moment has arrived for volleyball. Or perhaps it’s a return to form. This sentiment reflects what the president of the Volleyball Association of Montenegro, Nikola Kazic, recently conveyed in an interview with “Vijesti”.

At the dawn of this millennium, volleyball held a prestigious position in our nation. Montenegro produced four champions from the last six titles of the former unified state that won the Olympic gold in 2000. Clubs like Budućnost Podgorička banka and Budvanska riviera were of European quality, marking a highly competitive period in Montenegrin sports in recent decades.

However, over time, the sport lost its prominence, and no team sport in Montenegro has endured as much as volleyball. This is particularly true for the clubs and the domestic league. Might it be time for a resurgence?

– I believe change is already underway – notes Nikola Kažić.

This optimism is grounded in tangible developments: Montenegrin clubs, both male and female, are poised to compete in the regional MEVZA league for the first time, while both the men’s and women’s national teams are set to participate in the Golden European League, marking a historic first. Women’s volleyball, in particular, stands out as it is the most popular women’s sport in Montenegro, with our ladies on the verge of a historic qualification for the European Championship.

The Volleyball Federation, Kažić emphasizes, must foster the right environment for volleyball to reclaim its rightful status.

– It’s easy to make a comparison. Back in the 2000s, our teams competed in a robust league against major opponents like Vojvodina and Crvena zvezda, with Podgorica and Budva making substantial financial commitments. The Bank of Podgorica contributed hundreds of thousands of euros annually, enabling Budućnost to achieve European club status. Even now, former players assert that the club could still rank among the top five or ten clubs in Europe in terms of organization and quality. In contrast, Budva Riviera, as a state-owned entity, had significant financial backing from sponsors and influential figures. Strong clubs nurture younger talent, creating a sustainable development system, which has deteriorated in recent years due to markedly reduced investments. Competing for funds amid popular sports such as football, basketball, and tennis, which dominate public interest, is increasingly challenging. Yet, I believe we are making collective progress, and I foresee this continuing – says Kažić, who succeeded Cvetka Pajkovića as head of the Volleyball Association this June.

While club volleyball has faced difficulties, the national teams have remarkably maintained their presence, boasting three consecutive qualifications for the European Championship—a notable success, despite the European Volleyball Federation (CEV) expanding qualification opportunities.

Kazic is optimistic that by 2027, the men’s national team will rejoin the highest tier of European competition, while the women’s team is targeted to achieve this for the first time in 2025.

– The aspiration for us all is the qualification of the women’s national team for the European Championship, and we have a strong chance. Two matches remain against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Latvia, where securing just one victory will suffice. Given the high participation rate of girls in volleyball in Montenegro, this would significantly elevate women’s volleyball into its deserved prominence, akin to women’s handball. Our optimism is bolstered by the fact that the national team has an average age of under 22, representing both present and future talent – believes Kažić.

Recently, two significant announcements emerged that could dramatically influence the revival of volleyball’s quality and visibility. The top Montenegrin clubs, both male and female, are set to join a regional league, while both national teams have secured the opportunity to compete in the esteemed Golden European League.

– For the first time since gaining independence, Montenegrin clubs will compete in a competitive regional league against teams from Austria, Slovenia, and the Czech Republic. I’m confident this will elevate the status of volleyball in Montenegro and attract sponsors, as the league operates in a region with many reputable companies. What’s advantageous is that volleyball doesn’t require the massive investments needed in other sports, making it a more accessible option for sponsors. We, as the Association, will advocate for its elevation through our engagements with local governments and state support. I genuinely believe this moment belongs to volleyball, and see the next few years as a pivotal period for its growth and establishment in Montenegrin sports – emphasizes Nikola Kažić.

The competitive fixtures in the Golden European League for both the men’s and women’s teams could play a crucial role in this journey.

– The national teams are set to compete in the Golden European League for the first time, representing a significant milestone for our volleyball. Most matches will be against stronger teams, which is critical for our young senior teams. Without facing formidable opponents, progress is stunted. Some losses offer greater lessons than wins. In the previous Silver League, we lost only to Portugal, the eventual league champions, and to Austria in the semi-finals. The value lies not in defeating weaker teams but in gaining experience through challenging matches. Despite our youth across both the men’s and women’s teams, I am confident that these high-caliber games will help elevate us to win matches in the Golden League as well.

The recent appointments of new national team coaches in November— Jovo Caković for the women’s team and Ivica Jevtic for the men’s—are also integral to the strategy of reinvigorating volleyball’s significance in Montenegrin sports.

– In the men’s category, our chances of qualifying for the European Championship remain theoretical. This is one reason we decided to offer a fresh perspective with a new coach, allowing this year and the next for him to acclimatize the players to his coaching style, preparing us for a serious challenge for the European Championship in 2027. It is realistic, given the roster of young players who are already abroad and developing their skills.

The national team serves as an output, but the clubs represent the foundation.

– Undoubtedly, the development of Montenegrin volleyball must be club-driven. The Federation’s role is to support the national team, ensuring the best possible conditions and implementing its directives, but it is the clubs that actually develop the players, with them spending approximately ten months a year in training. The national team should be the showcase that competes against high-quality adversaries in Europe, but the foundation remains firmly rooted in the clubs, as it was in the 2000s – concluded Kažić.

The Volleyball Association has long worked on initiatives to popularize the sport…

“For eight years, the Association has been running the most extensive children’s sports project named Eco mini volleyball, involving nearly a thousand kids aged nine to twelve. It’s wonderful to witness them in action—playing simultaneously on three courts every other weekend. This initiative has successfully sparked early interest in volleyball, using a modified four-on-four format without strict regulations or imperative results, a project we take pride in that everyone appreciates. Furthermore, we have initiated free volleyball schools in the north, central, and southern regions, aimed at engaging boys and revitalizing clubs with support from the ministries of sports and education.”

We are the leading choice in women’s sports

Women’s volleyball is on the brink of a significant surge, and it’s already showing signs…

– We are the most popular sport in the women’s category, with the highest number of girls participating in volleyball in Montenegro. We boast 25 clubs in the pioneer league. This trend is resonant throughout Europe, even mirroring the recent creation of a professional women’s league in the United States following football and basketball. They, too, have identified the commercial potential – emphasizes Kažić.

In addition to the women’s national team being one match away from European Championship qualification, club performance is also on an upward trajectory.

– Herceg Novi recently competed in the Champions League qualifiers, fielding a well-invested and seriously competitive team. They faced Poland’s Lodz, the standout team in the qualifiers. I firmly believe that under different circumstances, they could have advanced; they performed commendably in those matches. Our women’s volleyball is indeed moving in the right direction – Kažić concludes.

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