This season, Budućnost Voli is looking significantly improved, particularly in their ability to secure difficult, close, and crucial victories…

In their first home game of 2025 against an ambitious team from the UAE, the Montenegrin champions triumphed over Dubai 89:78 in the 15th round of the AdmiralBet ABA League, marking their 13th victory in the regional competition. Read more here.

In a thrilling match set against the backdrop of thoughts for Cetinje, Andrej Žakelj’s squad surged in the final five minutes, led by Đorđije Jovanović (with three crucial three-pointers), Nikola Tanasković, and Rašid Sulajmon, who significantly impacted the game with their long-range shots…

Buducnost entered the game on a slower note, initially trailing by seven points after Danilo Andušić’s free throws made it 19:12, but they quickly responded.

As the first quarter closed, Andrija Slavković and Nikola Tanasković contributed to a turnaround, with Rašid Sulajmon putting the “blue and white” ahead for the first time with a triple (33:28). The team maintained that lead towards halftime, finishing with a maximum five-point advantage at 46:41.

Dubai opened the second half with momentum, quickly reversing the score with a 6:0 run (47:46). The rest of the period saw both teams battling for the lead, with Dubai pulling away momentarily at 59:54.

Following a timeout called by Žakelj, the team responded with Fletcher Magee nailing a three-pointer, and McKinley Wright finding Kenan Kamenjaš to level the game at 59:59.

The “blues” showed great resilience until the end, even in the absence of injured Džuvan Morgan – with Tanasković grabbing vital rebounds and Jovanović injecting energy into the offense, despite Avudu Abas troubling Budućnost’s defense by scoring from various positions.

Supported by a basket from former Budućnost player Džakori Williams, Dubai had a 72:66 lead, but the “blue and white” duo erupted in response – three-pointers from Tanasković and Jovanović equalized the score at 72:72 with five minutes remaining.

During this decisive period, Kamenjaš dominated the paint with stellar defense, and soon another triple from the impressive Jovanović followed by points from Tanasković helped establish a commanding 14-0 run for an 80:72 lead.

Dubai narrowed the gap to 81:78, but Jovanović calmly answered back with his third triple, before Kamenjaš sealed the victory with a stylish dunk (86:78).

The players donned black fleurs, as the “Barbarians” honored the victims of Cetinje

The match against Dubai marked Budućnost’s return to home soil following the tragic events in Cetinje. Fans paid tribute to the victims during the game.

A banner with the message “Eternal glory to the victims of the tragedy in Cetinje” was displayed by the “Barbarians”.

All matches in this round of the regional league began with a minute of silence, and during the game in Podgorica, Budućnost players wore black fleurs on their jerseys.

The tragedy in Cetinje resulted in the loss of 12 lives, including two children, due to the actions of local resident Aco Martinović.

THE FUTURE LOVES – DUBAI 89:78 (26:26, 20:15, 16:20, 27:17)

Podgorica – “Morača” Hall. Attendance: 3,586. Officials: Belošević, Jovčić, Ćalić (Serbia).

Future Scorers: MORGAN 3, SULAJMON 25 (2-1), Ilić, Megi 7 (4-4), SLAVKOVIĆ 12 (5-4), Tanasković 18 (4-4), FEREL, Jovanović 9, Drežnjak, Omić 2, Wright 4, KAMENJAŠ 9 (4-1).

Dubai Scorers: Ravena, MAJSON 13, Dangubic 4, Uskokovic, ABAS 19 (2-2), BERTANS 9, Taylor 4, Arakzi, Williams 9 (2-1), ANDJUSIC 16 (3-3), DUVERIOGLU 4.

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