The final match at “Morača” is approaching, followed by another away game, marking the end of Budućnost’s handball season in 2024.

They will face the same opponent in both Champions League matches, the favored team from Denmark, Esbjerg. The game in Podgorica is set for Saturday at 18:00.

“We have two significant games ahead of us. However, for us, each match carries its own weight, especially as we currently lack matches in the regional league. Every game presents a new challenge and an opportunity for vital practice, which we desperately need,” commented Nina Bulatović, the right wing for the “blues”.

After facing Đer, Brest, and Ludwigsburg, Budućnost now confronts another formidable opponent in the challenging Group B.

“There’s no need to elaborate on the caliber of the team they are, as they are built to clinch the Champions League title. Primarily, we must concentrate on our game and strive to perform at our best to offer them robust resistance,” Nina added.

Nađa Kadović, the left winger for Budućnost, also commented on the strength of their upcoming rival.

“We are well aware of the kind of team they are, especially their leader. Their gameplay is versatile, featuring shots, feints, and players who rely heavily on their physical strength. Our objective is to identify their strengths while exploiting their weaknesses,” stated Nadja.

When she mentioned the leader, she referred to Heni Rejstad, who leads the Champions League in scoring with 62 goals.

“Of course, she isn’t the only danger, but she is the key player, consistently scoring numerous goals in every match… She must be our primary focus, although anyone has the potential to cause an upset if we apply ourselves,” Nadja added.

One of Esbjerg’s advantages is their speed.

“Even before our match against Odense, I mentioned that whenever a Danish team is brought up, speed is the first attribute that comes to mind. We are prepared and anticipating that,”Nađa Kadović stressed.

Meanwhile, Nina referred to a recurring challenge for Budućnost: the lack of matches.

“Continuity is crucial for every athlete, and it’s a significant drawback that we don’t have regular games, unlike most other teams. We are making efforts to compensate for that through rigorous training,” Nina explained.

Another challenge is the depth of the squad.

“I believe our rotation is our primary hurdle because maintaining continuity for a full 60 minutes in today’s handball is quite challenging,” Nina concluded.

Throughout the initial six rounds, Budućnost managed to secure a point against European champions Djerba but suffered five losses, whereas Esbjerg holds a record of 4-2 after victories over Odense, Rapid, Vipers, and Ludwigsburg, along with defeats to Djerba and Brest.

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