The volleyball event in Budva captivated Rastko Milenković, the coach for both Budva and the Montenegrin national team, during the Cup finals.

The energy in the stands, the significance of the individuals present near the court, coupled with the match’s unpredictability—especially in the final against Budućnost—made for an unforgettable “Volleyball Sunday” in Budva on March 30, 2025.

Under the watchful gaze of Roko Sikirić, the leading figure in European volleyball, along with numerous guests from across Europe and the region, Budva successfully defended their Cup Winners’ Cup despite losing a set for the first time this season.

This set was claimed by the determined team from Budućnost, who put up a strong fight even without their top player, Ivan Zvicer.

“An incredible atmosphere, packed stands. I anticipated something like this since it had been building up for days. The Volleyball Federation made tremendous efforts to ensure everything was top-notch. Last year’s event in Bijelo Polje had full stands and a fantastic vibe, but this was a level above due to the significance of the attendees present at the final,” Rastko Milenković shared with odbojka.me.

A true final requires two competitive teams, and this year in Budva delivered on that front.

“It was challenging, particularly the third set, which was tightly contested and we eventually lost. We made several service errors, handing our opponents easy points, but Budućnost also played exceptionally well. Competing against them is never straightforward; we had to truly perform,” Milenković commented.

More matches like this, facing tougher opponents, would be advantageous for the Budva players.

“Who wouldn’t welcome that? Progress occurs through such encounters. In our league, due to the disparity in skill levels, many matches have been dominated by cadets and juniors, which is beneficial for their development in volleyball. Only games against stronger teams like Budućnost and Mornar provide real value for our more experienced players. I think our last competitive match with our top squad was back in October in the CEV Cup against Finnish team Valepa. Recently, we also prepared with our strongest lineup in test matches against Albania’s Partizani,” Milenković explained.

However, everything is set to change next season as Budva will join the regional MEVZA league, introducing them to a host of stronger competitions.

“The MEVZA League will be incredibly significant for us; we’ve sought out regional competition for years, and now it’s finally happening. We’ll face many formidable opponents—no more ‘one-sided’ matches, which is fantastic for us as players, for the club, and for Montenegrin volleyball. Who wouldn’t be excited about games against teams from Slovenia, Croatia, and Austria… I believe that the MEVZA League will elevate the quality of our domestic league,” said the 21-year-old Rastko Milenković.

His younger brother, Vasilije, a receiver for Budva, represents one of Montenegrin volleyball’s brightest prospects.

What is it like playing alongside your brother?

“We’ve been teammates almost our entire lives. Nevertheless, there’s no favoritism over other players; no special treatment,” the 21-year-old setter smiled.

“I always choose the best option available. Therefore, on the field, we aren’t just brothers.”

Rastko Milenković has been a member of the Montenegrin national team for several years, making his debut during the qualifiers for the last European Championship and participating in the final tournament against the Czech Republic, Denmark, and North Macedonia.

“These were serious teams and intense matches, and I fondly remember that championship, especially the victory over Denmark. The Czech Republic is a class above us, while Denmark and North Macedonia are on a similar level. We lost to Macedonia 3:0, largely due to their home crowd boosting their performance while we were two years younger,” he recalled.

The promising generation of Montenegrin volleyball players will welcome a new coach, Ivica Jevtić. The first gathering is set for next month, coinciding with the start of the new competition—the Golden European League.

“I’m looking forward to it—meeting the new coach and staff, as well as competing against strong opponents in the European league, which will be invaluable for us. We aren’t sidelining the conclusion of the European Championship qualifiers; realistically, our chances of advancing are slim, yet those matches will provide excellent preparation for future challenges, especially for the upcoming European Championship, which may take place in our own country. I believe great developments are on the horizon for our volleyball,” Rastko Milenković concluded.

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