The Montenegrin men’s volleyball team was unable to secure its first victory in the CEV Golden European League, succumbing to its long-standing rival, the Czech Republic, with a score of 3:0 (25:23, 25:22, 25:14) in the inaugural match of the Podgorica tournament.

The Czechs, who have faced the “reds” in all three European Championships and are also opponents in the current Eurovolley qualifiers, displayed their high quality. After a competitive start during the first eight points, they surged to a 7:4 lead. Ivica Jevtić’s team managed to rally back during Marko Joksimović’s serve but trailed by the end of the set. Jovović and his teammates gradually closed the gap and tied the score at 21:21, and then again at 22:22, yet they couldn’t secure more than a single point thereafter, handing the set to the Czech Republic at 25:23.

The Czechs maintained control in the second set, although Montenegro’s young team, missing the experienced middle blocker Luka Babić due to injury, prevented a complete breakaway. The Czech Republic managed to lead by five points several times, but our team, boosted by Vasilije Milenković and Hadžisalihović, extended the set. The youngest player, Luka Lojić, saved three set points, yet it was the Czech Republic that closed out the set at 25:22, jumping to a 2:0 lead.

The third set began poorly for Montenegro, as the Czech Republic established a significant early advantage. Coach Jevtić made adjustments, but they failed to disturb the Czechs, who capitalized on their first match point to win 25:14.

In the Montenegrin squad, Đorđe Jovović stood out as the only player in double figures, scoring 10 points, while young Vasilije Milenković had a notable performance with nine points, and Benjamin Hadžisalihović contributed seven points.

Marek František Peri led for the Czech Republic with 13 points.

Before the match, middle blocker Matija Ćinćur received the award for the best volleyball player of 2024 in the Montenegrin club competition from the President of the Volleyball Federation of Montenegro, Nikola Kažić, as the young player missed the ceremony in Podgorica due to club commitments last year.

Following a one-day break during which the Czech Republic will face Finland at the Verde Sports Hall at 19 p.m., our team is set to compete against the Finns on Sunday at the same time. The next opponent, similar to the Czech Republic, will participate in the upcoming World Cup in the Philippines this September.

MONTENEGRO – CZECH REPUBLIC 0:3 (23:25, 22:25, 14:25)

Podgorica: SC “Verde”. Attendance: 185. Referees: Siniša Ovuka (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Bernard Valentar (Slovenia).

Montenegro: Dubak, Ćinćur 4, Peruničić, Hadžisalihović 7, M. Joksimović 1, A. Joksimović (libero), V. Milenković 9, R. Milenković, Lečić, Lojić 4, Jovović 10, Rovčanin, Đurović 5, Radević (libero). Coach: Ivica Jevtić.

Czech Republic: Drahonovski 2, Zajiček 8, Monik (libero), Sabrt, Vašina 9, Licek 7, Brihta 3, Srb 3, Kovarik (libero), Biknar, Peri 13, Klimeš 7, Klajmon. Coach: Jirži Novak.

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