The final three minutes of the Champions League group stage marked the end of Buducnost’s handball season, a conclusion they truly earned. Bojana Popović and her team faced criticism for failing to maintain a three-goal lead against Rapid within a short time frame, but the outcome of this season was shaped long before, particularly in the twenty days of July 2024.

“On this day, the club is being shut down,” stated Maja Bulatović, a club legend and director of Buducnost at that time.

Events unfolded less than two weeks before preparations for the new season, which had been announced in advance to signal the return of the two-time European champions to notable competitions.

Most of the new players that had been signed departed Podgorica, leaving Buducnost’s fate in the hands of Glavni grad, which took ownership of the club.

The team was somewhat hastily assembled, with Bojana Popović, Maja Savić, and the rest setting out on an uncertain journey… There were significant victories, such as against European champions Győr and stronger teams like Vipers and Brest. Yet, everything came to a halt during those last three minutes. This elimination might serve as a symbolic warning that a season like this should never be repeated.

“This uncertainty clouds the upcoming season,” especially since serious clubs are addressing their rosters while the current Champions League matches are ongoing.

Currently, Buducnost is uncertain about which players will remain for the next season, as a new Board of Directors has yet to be formed. They will need to seek reinforcements from those whose future for next season remains unconfirmed.

– We’ll see what unfolds; something is expected to happen this week. A new Board of Directors should be established, giving us clarity on our lineup and direction. It’s undoubtedly challenging, but we need to find new motivation and hope for improvement. However, it’s time for others to take the lead now, – Bojana Popović remarked after the exit from Rapid.

What remains crucial is that Buducnost has attained some stability, no longer reliant on the primary sponsor as they were last summer. However, the pivotal question is how much longer it will take before the 2012 and 2015 European champions can again form a team capable of greatness in the Champions League.

We will have to wait a few more days for a new Board of Directors, with Nikola Tripkovic, President of the Development Bank’s Board, anticipated to take over. There are also mentions of additional sponsors that the Capital City might bring in.

Nevertheless, some things may be too late to change now. If enthusiasm and commitment to Buducnost aren’t lost in the meantime, significant developments might only be seen for the 2026/27 season.

Is Itana returning? Milena aims to recruit “lionesses”

The foremost task for the newly appointed Board of Directors at ŽRK Budućnost will be to retain key players such as Jelena Radivojević and Armel Atingra and to aim for some degree of team enhancement.

Itana Grbić, a graduate of the club, currently playing for Crimea, may return to Podgorica.

Recently, Milena Raičević has been considered for the presidency, with a vision to recruit most members of the Montenegrin national team to Buducnost, aiming to strengthen the team and gradually prepare for the “2028 Olympic Games.”

That said, Nikola Tripković is likely to be elected, and following that, clearer decisions regarding player retention and new signings should emerge.

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