Nineteen-year-old serve receiver Vasilije Milenković represents the bright future of Budva’s volleyball scene and is seen as a promising talent for the Montenegrin national team. A product of the Montenegrin volleyball tradition, he has successfully navigated through all junior representative categories and made his senior national team debut last year.

His journey in volleyball began at the tender age of 13 when he participated in the Volleyball Federation of Montenegro’s “Mini Volleyball,” which is part of the European Volleyball Confederation’s “CEV School Volleyball” initiative.

“Those were the beginnings—a fantastic experience that helps children develop a love for volleyball, focus on the sport, and also socialize and build friendships,” Milenković shares with Odbojka.me, the official website of OSCG.

His experience in mini volleyball only deepened his affection for the sport.

“I started when I was ten years old, spurred on by a friend of my brother’s who invited us to practice. What began as a fun activity quickly evolved into my passion and nearly a career,” reflects Milenković, born on January 5, 2006.

Fast forward nine years, Vasilije is now the champion of Montenegro with Budva, a dedicated member of the national team.

“We train twice a day except on Mondays and Wednesdays. It’s challenging, but I’ve committed to it because I love it, and I genuinely enjoy both practice and matches. My passion for volleyball makes everything easier,” he explains with a smile.

On the Budva championship team, he plays alongside his two-year-old brother Rastko—acting as a technician, or the “conductor” of the team.

“It’s an amazing feeling to share the court with my brother. When I make a mistake or face difficulties, he’s there to lift me up and provide encouragement,” he adds.

The Budva volleyball team currently holds the title of double crown winners and has similar aspirations for this season.

“Again, we believe we are the best, though the competition will be tough, especially with Buducnost’s addition of Ivan Zvicer, making them much stronger. Nevertheless, I believe we can emerge victorious,” he states.

As summer approaches and his club commitments wrap, Vasilije will turn his focus to national team duties. Under new coach Ivica Jevtić, the challenge will be qualifying for the fourth consecutive European Championship against teams like Norway and the Czech Republic.

“We’ve faced setbacks, but we will continue to fight until the end in these qualifiers. I’m not overly concerned about the future—our team is young and has immense talent. Missing one European Championship wouldn’t be ‘tragic.’ I’m confident the next qualifiers will be ours once we adjust and understand our new coach’s strategies,” he says.

Vasilije Milenković is part of a promising new generation for Montenegrin volleyball. He has already made his mark in Budva and doesn’t shy away from expressing his readiness for new challenges ahead.

“By the summer, I’ll be 19 and a half, which I believe is the right age to explore opportunities abroad if they come my way. I’m ambitious and aspire to play in one of the top leagues, be it in Poland, Italy, Turkey, or Russia. However, I realize it’s important to take things one step at a time, and leagues in Greece, Croatia, or Slovenia could serve as a good starting point. For now, my focus is on winning the double with Budva,” he shares.

He has a personal idol in the sport, despite never having seen him play live.

“I was either too young or not yet born when Vladimir Grbić was active, but from what my parents tell me and what I’ve seen in videos, he was a ‘prototype’ and a phenomenal player,” Vasilije explains.

He looks up to current stars like Wilfred Leon, the Cuban star playing for Poland, and believes that he will soon find himself in similar company. He also admires a local hero, a former standout for the Budva Riviera.

“That would be Miloš Nikić; watching him was always a pleasure,” he adds.

Balancing his volleyball career with academic pursuits, Vasilije ensures that he doesn’t overlook education.

“I’ve enrolled in sports management at the University of Zagreb. It can be tough to juggle both, but being an athlete offers the advantage of no mandatory lectures. I still have to consult with my professors occasionally, and I’m confident I can manage my time to study for exams,” he concludes.

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