OTP Group Budućnost coach Bojana Popović expresses satisfaction with the group in which the Podgorica women’s handball team will compete this season.

The Blues are grouped with Norwegian Storhamar, Metz, Győr, Borussia Dortmund, Esbjerg, Gloria Bistrica, and Debrecen.

“We need to be realistic and acknowledge that we have a better group than last year. Last season, we were in a highly challenging group where every match was tough. Now, the groups have been reorganized, and the quality seems quite balanced,” Popović explains.

“The former European champions, Vipers, along with Rapid Bucharest, who had strong teams last season, are no longer in our group. We can take comfort in the fact that we are competing with teams that we can be competitive against,” Popović highlights.

This group includes participants from last season’s final tournament.

“Győr, Esbjerg, and Metz are back and aiming to go all the way this season. Borussia is making a return to the Champions League, playing at a fast pace and consistently performing at the top of German handball. Debrecen has also constructed a solid team for the Champions League, while Gloria Bistrica has made significant investments both during and prior to the new Champions League season. Storhamar also demonstrated quality last season, securing three victories in the elite. It’s evident that three teams stand out in our group, and I believe we can hold our own against the others.”

What does the future hold?

“The key aspect is that we’re now in a much better position compared to the start of last season, as we have a clear strategy, and the squad has mostly remained unchanged. Itana Grbić has joined us, expected to be a team leader, we’ve adjusted the left wing position, and we’ve added a new pivot. Consequently, we have a good understanding of our resources and what to expect as we prepare for the new season,” concluded Bojana Popović.

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