The opening months of the year for Montenegrin volleyball player Djordje Jovovic at Zagreb’s Mladost, the most decorated club in the former Yugoslavia, have provided ample opportunity for assessment and reflection…

– I made the right choice coming here; this is a serious club with outstanding facilities. Nowhere else in the Balkans, or possibly beyond, will you find such excellent working conditions – shares the 23-year-old from Podgorica.

Last Friday in February was sunny, and Djordje took the time to recuperate from an eventful Thursday filled with a MEVZA league derby that saw them triumph over the leaders, the ACH team from Ljubljana, in five sets.

– This victory secured our second place and eased our path towards the play-offs. We moved up from fourth to second place, which is no small achievement. Our aim is the final, and that goal feels much closer now. If everything goes to plan and nothing unexpected occurs, we will face ACH in the final. It would be the pinnacle of a season where winning domestic trophies, including the championship and the Cup, is a given – the left-handed corrector elaborates for the official Volleyball Federation of Montenegro website.

Djordje joined Mladost this summer from Triglav Kranj, arriving with quite the reputation as the top scorer in the league phase of the Slovenian championship.

– While the domestic league may not be top-tier, there’s no doubt when it comes to Mladost – we have been competing in Europe for a long time, engaging in strong matches in the MEVZA league. I have everything I need at this point in my career. Zagreb is an incredible city, and everything is easily accessible. When we have days off to recharge, I have great places to utilize them.

However, his future remains uncertain as the summer approaches – like every athlete, he aspires to advance when the opportunity presents itself.

– I’m in discussions with my manager and others in the volleyball community. We are weighing all options for finding a center for next season, but right now my main focus is on the important upcoming matches, specifically the semi-finals of the Croatian Cup and the final four of the MEVZA League, which will take place in Zagreb in early March.

Our national team is set to debut in the Golden League come May.

– This is fantastic news! We will be partaking in a challenging competition against strong national squads, presenting a wonderful opportunity for further advancement. With a new coach and fresh ambitions, I’m eager to unite as both friends and teammates. The national team holds a special place – concludes Đorđe Jovović.

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