A significant opportunity to score against the European champions could have turned the tide for the runners-up. This match was a chance to rise from the bottom of the standings, but Budućnost’s handball players were nowhere near their performance level from the game against Đera.

It was far from any miracle performance…

In the fifth round of the Champions League, Budućnost faced its fourth defeat, showing no signs of competitiveness against Ludwigsburg, who won decisively at 36:25, marking one of the heaviest losses in “Morača.”

The most staggering remains from 1998, when Valencia defeated them 40:26 in the same venue, though this time there was a moment of hope.

On the other hand, the club known as Bittheim last season has begun to reclaim victories in the elite league, led by the impressive Ksenia Smits, reminding everyone why they reached the grand final for the European title just five months ago in Budapest.

A first half that could have been improved

Budućnost entered halftime trailing by three (17:14). Despite some rushed decisions and errors, it felt like they had earned a smaller deficit…

Especially given that they missed opportunities against the resilient Armel Atingra’s defense, while Jelena Vukčević, usually a penalty expert, failed to score from the seven-meter line twice in the opening half.

This time, she struggled from the penalty spot, yet alongside Jelena Radivojević, she helped “blue and white” get off to a promising start, taking a lead of 5:3. However, Mareike Tomajer quickly gave the visitors a two-goal margin (9:7), which grew to three (13:10).

Budućnost didn’t falter; Vukčević netted from the wing (finishing with six goals in the first half), while young Nina Ramusović, who Bojana Popović had confidence in, threatened to make it 15:13.

That would be the last bright spot.

Unfortunately, the Montenegrin giant’s defense was lacking, allowing the German team to surge ahead by four (17:13) in no time.

And the floodgates opened

Similar to the first half, Tomajer propelled Ludwigsburg to a new greatest lead (21:15) right at the beginning of the second half, but this time the girls in blue and white failed to respond…

The rival’s advantage kept increasing, reaching 28:18 after 48 minutes, with Ludwigsburg ahead by 13 at 33:20. The negative record was looming, yet Budućnost somehow avoided the most embarrassing defeat in their arena…

Budućnost will play their next match on Saturday against Vipers.

THE FUTURE – LUDVIGSBURG 25:36 (14:17)

Podgorica – Hall “Morača”. Spectators: 400. Judges: Backović and Palacković (Slovenia). Sevens: Budućnost 9 (7), Ludwigsburg 6 (6). Suspensions: Budućnost eight, Ludwigsburg four minutes.

Budućnost: Atingra 11 saves, Hauge two saves, Marsenić, Danijelson, Vukčević 8 (3), Godeč 3, Popović, Marković 1, Ivanović 1, Radević, Bulatović 2, Tomova, Ramusović 4 (4), Radivojević 3, Kadović, Pavićević 3.

Ludwigsburg: Bundsen (10 dismissals), Rot, Tomajer 7 (6), Gasama Sosko 4, Del, Leuhter 4, Johansen 1, Hvenfelt 1, Smits 6, Berend 3, Nestaker 2, Karlson 3, Faluvegi 2, Mala 2.

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