The achievement at the U16 European Championship marks a historic milestone for Montenegrin women’s volleyball, affirming that all the hard work, dedication, and countless hours of training were indeed worthwhile.

Sofija Duletić, the middle blocker for our national youth team and a player from Budva, is relishing the success achieved with her teammates. However, her mind is already set on Pristina, where the continental championship finals will take place from July 2nd to 13th.

“Qualifying has brought us immense pride and joy, as it is the first time our country has reached the European Championship. We’ve realized how much we can achieve through self-belief, dedication, and teamwork. We are grateful to the selectors and the coaching staff of the Volleyball Federation of Montenegro for their trust and support,” Sofija Duletić shared with odbojka.me.

“This success holds great significance for us, as it validates our sacrifices and training efforts. For all of us, it embodies the realization of a big dream.”

Sofia and her teammates first made headlines in Sofia. During the initial round of the zonal qualifiers held in early January, Petar Koković’s team showcased their immense potential, securing a historic spot in the next round. Following that, the tournament in Maribor displayed their dominance, highlighted by Montenegro’s impressive feat of reaching the Euro without losing a single set across three matches.

In this vein, they also triumphed 3:0 against Slovenia, a formidable national team that they will face in Pristina.

“We aimed to perform better than in the initial qualifiers, and we ended up surprising even ourselves. Qualifying for the European Championship without dropping a set is an extraordinary achievement that indicates we’ve surpassed expectations,” Sofija noted.

There are several key components to this “puzzle.”

“The primary factor was that the OSCG provided us with top-notch training facilities in Stara Pazova. We owe a significant debt of gratitude to our coaching staff – coaches Petar Koković and Nikola Radomirović, sports psychologist Andrea Laković, fitness coach Jovan Ristić, and scout Ognjen Marković. We also want to acknowledge A selection coach Jovo Caković for his invaluable attention and support during our preparation. Moreover, our team’s unity, positive energy, and mutual trust played a vital role,” Sofija added.

This is just the beginning…

“I anticipate an even greater fighting spirit and motivation at the European Championship compared to the qualifiers. I believe we will learn from each match, grow, and savor every moment. While challenges await us, I am even more excited and prepared. We understand the strength of our opponents, but this is our chance to showcase our abilities.”

Reaching the European Championship has already positively impacted the careers of the young Montenegrin national team players.

“I aspire to play volleyball professionally and dream of representing Montenegro in the senior national team someday. My goal is to compete in as many significant tournaments as possible and achieve further success.”

Sofija started her journey at OK Budva, where she still proudly wears the jersey today.

“With dedicated coaches and amazing teammates, I developed a passion for this sport. It’s worth noting that our pioneering team has six national team members, which reflects the exceptional training conditions at the club.”

As a middle blocker, she remains ever-present at the net and a constant threat to opposing teams.

“I’ve been training as a middle blocker since the beginning. Our coaches identified that this position suited me best, and over time, I completely fell in love with it.”

Thus, step by step, Sofija Duletić continues to push her limits, fully aware that her journey would not be possible without her profound love for the sport.

“Volleyball is my happy place; it’s where I feel most at home. It brings me joy, strength, and motivation. My role model is Tijana Bošković—her captivating style and unwavering dedication during training and matches serve as endless inspiration for me.”

News