Matija Ćinćur, a 22-year-old member of the Montenegrin national volleyball team, has followed a commendable sports trajectory, transitioning from Jedinstvo to Budućnost Volley, and ultimately finding a home in Slovenia with Salonit Anhovo. His journey has been marked by natural growth and success.

Since August of last year, Matija has embraced life in Slovenia.

“Everything is progressing organically for me; I hope it continues this way. I’m not focused on what will happen when my contract ends this season. Instead, my attention is on the playoffs ahead, particularly our chance to reach the finals against the formidable ACH Volley from Ljubljana. The outcomes will hinge on both my team’s performance and my role in the national squad, especially with the Golden League approaching in May,” he shared with Odbojka.me.

Currently, his team sits second in a nation’s league where the national squad consistently ranks high in European volleyball, a testament to Matija’s timely arrival.

“I was pleasantly surprised. Naturally, there’s a level of apprehension when moving abroad for the first time, and I received advice from seasoned players that I should stay grounded in my expectations to avoid disappointment. Coming from a sports culture that’s somewhat established here doesn’t guarantee a smooth transition. Fortunately, Slovenia feels familiar as a country of the former Yugoslavia, blending Balkan and European influences. Particularly near Nova Gorica, which is close to Italy, I found a welcoming environment shaped by a unique mentality,” he reflected.

His adaptation has been impressive, not just to the country but to the club as well.

“I consider myself fortunate. Shortly after I arrived, there were significant changes in the club management, and notably, the legendary Dejan Vinčić joined our team. His presence, with a record of four medals from European championships, has elevated our team’s professionalism. It’s a privilege and an opportunity to learn from him. Most of my teammates are younger local players, and I share this experience with a Bosnian player,” Matija explained.

Under Vinčić’s influence, every player has seen improvement.

“Additionally, the setup has favored me greatly as a middle blocker, as I rely on skilled technicians like Vinčić. My coach, who also played as a middle blocker and has a title from Italy—the strongest league—provides further support,” he mentioned.

Salonit Anhovo boasts an impressive record with 18 wins and five losses, while ACH Volley stands undefeated with 23 wins. A playoff showdown between the two teams seems likely.

“They have a significant advantage in terms of budget and resources. Nevertheless, we have our trajectory and plans. Progressing without heavy expectations has allowed us to build chemistry and trust in one another, and now we genuinely believe we can compete with them,” Matija asserted.

As one of the rising stars in Montenegrin volleyball, Matija is preparing for his first Golden League experience in May, alongside a new coach, Ivica Jevtić.

“We’re looking forward to the Golden League and excited about facing new opponents in this fresh competition, particularly with a new coach. The experience that comes from competing against strong rivals will be vital for our young squad, which is in the middle of a rejuvenation process. With likely 14 inexperienced players and a shift away from some veteran players, we aim to leave our mark step by step,” he concluded.

Montenegro is currently navigating the qualifiers for Euro Volleyball, facing a challenging situation in a group where they have already been defeated by the Czech Republic and Norway.

“These matches will serve as valuable learning experiences as we head forward. We may still have a slim chance, but it won’t be easy against the Czech Republic, who are a step ahead. We don’t face this with pressure; instead, our goal is to be thoroughly prepared for the upcoming qualifiers and to pursue qualification for the European Championship earnestly,” Matija Ćinćur summed up.

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