Bućnost Secures Smooth Victory in the Baltic Sea for Their Sixth Eurocup Triumph and Advances on the Road to the Playoffs
Fletcher Maggi on the train with Trefl Sopot, Photo: Trefl Sopot
The Budućnost Voli basketball team successfully navigated a challenging game during a tough period for Montenegro…
Amidst the aftermath of the tragedy in Cetinje, few were inclined to engage in sports; however, the Montenegrin champions kicked off the new year with a victorious performance in the EuroCup, marking their sixth win after 13 rounds—defeating Trefl Sopot 81:69, the lowest-ranked team in Group A.
Before the matchup against the Podgorica club, the Polish team altered its roster, yet it became evident from the outset, even in a mostly empty “Ergo Arena,” which side would dominate the game. Under coach Andrej Žakelj, and without McKinley Wright due to a minor injury, the team managed to handle the challenge on the Baltic coast with ease.
Budućnost had set the tone in their previous match in Podgorica with an explosive first half, and while this time they didn’t quite reach a 20-point advantage early on, they primarily maintained a lead in double digits during the initial 20 minutes.
Žakelj’s team initiated the first run of the game with a 10-0 streak, shifting from 7:9 to 17:9 mid-way through the first quarter, propelled by Nikola Tanasković and Kenan Kamenjaš.
Rashid Sulaimon contributed a three-pointer to close out the first period with the score at plus 10 (26:16), and later, Budućnost would extend their lead to 31:18 following a three-pointer from Fletcher Maggi.
Although the home team attempted to mount a comeback, the “blue and white” squad consistently upheld a ten-point margin as they headed into halftime (45:35).
This time, Budućnost reserved the high-energy play for the second half, showcasing highlight plays such as a combination involving Jogi Ferrell and Kamenjaš, culminating in a spectacular dunk.
By the conclusion of the third quarter, the gap had widened to 19 points (67:49), and at the start of the final period, after a three-pointer from Sulaimon and additional points from Maggi, Budućnost surged ahead to a maximum lead of 72:49.
The only remaining question was the margin by which Budućnost would finish, looking to improve to 6-7 and continue their pursuit of a playoff spot.
TREFL SOPOT – BUDUĆNOST VOLI 69:81 (16:26, 19:19, 14:22, 20:14)
GDANSK – “Ergo Arena”. Attendance: 1,000. Officials: Joseph Bisang (France), Nik van den Bruck (Belgium), Sergio Manuel (Spain).
Trefl: Jankovski, BEST 17 (1-1), ALEJN, Jaščerski, VILTINJSKI 9 (1-1), JOHNSON 6 (2-1), ZISKOVSKI 9 (2-1), Grosel 16 (9-4), Moten 2, Šenk 10 (3-2).
Budućnost: Morgan 7 (1-0), SULAIMON 15, Ilić, Maggi 13 (2-1), SLAVKOVIĆ 5, TANASKOVIĆ 8 (2-2), FERRELL 14 (3-2), Jovanović, Drežnjak 2 (2-2), Omić 6, Azubuike, KAMENJAŠ 11 (2-1).
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