If there’s a team that has loaned out players from Budućnost Voli this season in the AdmiralBet ABA League, it’s their upcoming opponent.

Spartak Subotica, a newcomer to the regional league, caused a major upset in November last year by defeating the favorites at the “M:tel Morača Hall” Andrej Žakelj.

This marked Podgorica’s second defeat (following their loss to Red Star in their home arena) and it left a sour taste, yet Budućnost managed to remain undefeated for a considerable time afterwards, enjoying a 12-game winning streak that was halted 13 days ago when they faced Mega in New Belgrade.

The Montenegrin champions are now heading to Subotica, aiming for their 21st win to keep pace for first place and maintain a realistic shot at reaching the playoffs from a top position.

– Spartak is a well-equipped team that played excellently in our previous matchup and rightfully claimed victory. We are in a better position now than we were at that time, but there are certainly aspects of our opponents’ gameplay that we must focus on. The team from Subotica boasts two quality players in each position, they perform well, and they have ample time to train and strategize for each game, which makes them even more formidable – stated Žakelj.

Spartak is under the guidance of former Budućnost coach Vlade Jovanović, featuring notable players like Danil Nikolić, Nemanja Gordić, Dušan Miletić, Dalibor Ilić, and Luka Cerovina.

– Spartak is a playoff-caliber team currently situated in that position. We are concentrating more on ourselves; we have time to refine our performance, and we will prepare thoroughly. Responding with focus and energy will be crucial – stressed Andrej Žakelj.

The match is scheduled to begin at 19 p.m. in Dudova Šuma.

– We are aware of what needs to be done, and I believe we have improved since our game against Mega, in which we allowed the opponent to score some easy points. I am confident we have tightened our defense and it’s time to demonstrate that. What matters most? Energy and aggressiveness, along with controlling the rebounds, as Spartak is an athletically strong team. In offense, we must execute at a high team level – clarified Nikola Tanasković, the winger for the “blues.”

Spartak recognizes the challenge of defeating one of the best teams in the league twice.

– I expect this game will differ significantly from our previous encounter in Podgorica. We seized our opportunity then and played one of our best matches of the season. Budućnost will be motivated, has clear objectives, and we must respond accordingly because that is the only way we can position ourselves to aim for a victory – stated Vlade Jovanović.

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