Buducnost showcased their potential against Euroleague teams this season, with Andrej Žakelj achieving three significant victories in four matches against distinguished coaches like Željko Obradović and Janis Sferopoulos.

The new season kicked off in the challenging environment of Morača, where the Montenegrin champions triumphed over Partizan (81:77), maintaining their first position in the AdmiralBet ABA League with three rounds remaining.

“It was a challenging game, crucial for both sides, but I must foremost commend the players for their focus and approach—that was our key to victory,” Žakelj noted during the press conference.

His team began to establish their dominance in the second quarter, executing a strong defense that effectively contained Partizan during that period.

“Partizan possesses talent, as do we, but our concentration, particularly in the first half and defensively, was exceptional—there are few teams that Partizan has held to just 33 points in the first 20 minutes,” emphasized the Slovenian coach.

Though Partizan posed a threat in the final quarter, Buducnost managed to fend off their advances with relative ease, ultimately finishing the match without undue stress.

“You can’t sustain that pace throughout the entire game; we had our moments of struggle, but I believe we sealed the game with a defensive rebound,” he added.

Three rounds are still left to navigate before the playoffs.

“We need to secure this victory until the end,” Žakelj stated decisively.

When asked about the main contender for the title, he responded…

“Currently, we stand in first place, but that doesn’t guarantee it will remain that way. Naturally, we all aspire to keep it, but there’s plenty still to be played. After a match like this, we face three more tough encounters—finding motivation and maintaining focus won’t be easy, but we must. After that, we enter the league’s most challenging phase: the quarter-finals. There’s still much competition ahead, and I prefer not to speculate on championship contenders, but with our current mindset, we can achieve great things,” explained Žakelj.

Upcoming games include Krka away, followed by FMP in Morača, and finally a trip to Asia to face Dubai—two more victories would secure Buducnost’s top position. Could it be against seemingly easier opponents?

“I believe those matches will be the toughest. I understand how players think, having been one myself. We need to focus immediately because any lapse can lead to consequences. Krka nearly defeated both Red Star and Partizan; they play well at home. Without the right mindset, any team can pose challenges,” said Žakelj.

Juvan Morgan delivered an outstanding performance.

“Morgan is a vital player. He came in well-prepared, started strong, though injuries and breaks have impacted him… He’s a product of training and self-belief; he possesses skills, but maintaining health and consistent practice is essential. He’s crucial for us, like everyone else—I hope he continues this form in our next match.”

The team is improving, yet it seems they haven’t fully regained their earlier season form.

“From early December to the Fibo break, we displayed solid basketball. However, the break and injuries disrupted our rhythm. Consistency in training is key; when we have a full squad, we can rotate and work hard. Maintaining peak form for five or six months is a tall order. Naturally, we need to push toward that form,” he remarked.

To conclude, he shared a message for the fans.

“I must highlight the fans—there hasn’t been an atmosphere like this during my time here; it was challenging to communicate with the players. Truly, my congratulations, and I hope we can recreate such an atmosphere in future matches. I encourage them to keep supporting us,” Žakelj concluded.

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