Championship glory is within reach, as the team inches closer to achieving a record for consecutive victories.

In the 24th matchday of the Meridianbet 1st Montenegrin Football League, the Podgorica team overwhelmed Otranto Pod Goricam with a score of 5:1, extending their lead to 14 points over second-placed Petrovac, who were held to a goalless draw against Jedinstvo.

Should they triumph over Jezero on Sunday in Berane, Ivan Brnović’s squad will tie the Montenegrin record for consecutive championship wins (10), set by previous generations from the 2011/2012 and 2020/2021 seasons.

A win against Jedinstvo post-championship break would establish new benchmarks.

The only challenge left for the “blues” as the season winds down is numerical—they’re out of the Cup, and the championship has long been clinched.

Ulcinj’s Start Was Promising, Then They Faded

The match against Gorica was peculiar, with the bolstered Otranto struggling immensely in the first 20 minutes, only to virtually vanish from the game thereafter.

The groundwork for Ulcinj was laid by former Buducnost players Miloš Raičković and Vasilije Terzić, who relentlessly pressured national team goalkeeper Milan Mijatović.

Raičković scored with a long-range effort from about 20 meters—a moment that he chose not to celebrate against his old team.

At that point, it appeared Miodrag Vukotić’s men could secure crucial points in their fight for survival away from home, but it was an illusion.

Ivan Brnović’s squad revved up and filled the net against their debuting opponents in the elite division.

In the 32nd minute, an exciting play between Vukanić and Bojović concluded with a rebound goal by Andrija Bulatović, after a save from the former Budućnost keeper, Ljuljanović.

Milan Mijatović made a vital save against Balša Mrvaljević’s shot just before half-time, marking Otranto’s last significant attempt in the match.

In the 42nd minute, a low ball from Gašević found Danilo Vukanić unmarked, who scored his third this season, confirming his growing talent—2:1 for Buducnost.

The “Blues” didn’t let off the gas in the second half; their game maintained both rhythm and intensity.

Marko Milickovic scored his third goal while wearing a blue jersey with a spectacular shot from approximately 56 meters in the 20th minute, proving his worth as a reinforcement. The match concluded with Ognjen Gašević, the standout player of the match, who assisted Ivan Bulatović in the 83rd minute, then netted a goal in the 89th minute.

The ball veered off a defender before fooling Ljuljanović into entering the goal.

Otranto Falls Back to the Bottom, Overtaken by Jezero

Otranto and Jezero have been exchanging last place in the latter part of the season, with the “lantern” once again in the hands of the team from Ulcinj.

The Plav team secured a significant victory in their relegation battle, defeating the reigning champions, Dečić, 2:1 in Tuzi.

The scoring was opened by Ryu Wakabayashi, and despite Matija Božanović equalizing in the 87th minute, Đorđe Maksimović clinched the crucial three points for the guests during injury time.

Dečić is experiencing a decline, with only one win in their last four spring matches resulting in a disheartening 28-point gap from the leaders, Buducnost.

Edis Mulalić’s side trails second-placed Bokelj by 15 points, making a path to Europe through the league increasingly unlikely.

Jedinstvo Stops Petrovac’s Winning Streak

Petrovac couldn’t secure another win, as they were held to a 0:0 draw by Jedinstvo, who claimed a point from the Adriatic coast.

This draw didn’t impact Zdravko Dragićević’s team significantly, as they comfortably sit in second, while Buducnost remains their focus…

The matches had a great start, with the derbies in Nikšić and Tivat remaining goalless until the 78th minute between Sutjeska – Mornar and Arsenal – Bokelj, before excitement broke out—especially near Bistrica.

Milija Savović’s team took the lead via Ivan Vukčević (who scored with a header from Vasko Kalezić’s exceptional cross); it appeared Sutjeska would secure their third straight victory, but a mistake in the 93rd minute altered the outcome.

Poor Pitching Conditions, Giljen’s Blunder – Mornar Snatches a Point in Nikšić

A Nikšić defender misplayed a back pass to goalkeeper and captain Vladan Giljen due to the challenging pitch, leading to an easy follow-up goal for Lazar Zlatičanin to finish at 1:1.

Only a point separates fifth-placed Sutjeska from sixth-placed Mornar following the 24th round.

In the Gulf derby, Arsenal triumphed over Bokelj in the final moments, with Neđeljko Kovinić showcasing his speed against Kotor’s defenders for a goal in the 85th minute.

The Tivat team earned three critical points in their battle to avoid the relegation playoff, while Bokelj’s progress towards Europe was slightly hindered.

RESULTS – ROUND 24

Buducnost – Otranto-Olimpik 5:1

Andrija Bulatovic 32, Danilo Vukanic 42, Marko Milickovic 56, Ivan Bulatovic 83, Ognjen Gasevic 89 – Milos Raickovic 21.

Sutjeska – Sailor 1:1

Ivan Vukčević 78 – Lazar Zlatičanin 93.

Arsenal – Bokelj SBBet 1:0

Neđeljko Kovinić 85.

Petrovac – Jedinstvo Franca 0:0

Dečić AdmiralBet – Jezero 1:2

Matija Bozanovic 87 – Ryu Wakabayashi 52, Djordje Maksimovic 96.

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