As the handball players of Budućnost take to the court of the “Multifunctional Hall” in Bucharest this Sunday, it marks the beginning of their 30th consecutive appearance in the Champions League.

In the last thirty years, the club from Montenegro’s capital has celebrated reaching the pinnacle of Europe twice, experiencing both unforgettable triumphs and painful defeats. Yet, this summer has cast a shadow over Budućnost’s future like never before, particularly after a season that seemed to promise improvement.

The anticipated comeback was derailed when the club’s primary sponsor withdrew in the summer, leaving star players free to explore new opportunities.

“Everything has unsettled us greatly. I think that apart from suffering an injury, the most discouraging thing for an athlete is to be informed just ten days before the season begins that the club is shutting down, that you are free to find a new team, especially when you were eagerly anticipating a different season. It was genuinely shocking and shook all of us,” reflects Jelena Radivojevic (formerly Despotovic) in an interview with “News.”

At the last minute, the city took over the founding rights, allowing Budućnost to continue, although it is evident that the turmoil has affected their preparations and aspirations for the upcoming season.

“Given the entire situation and what transpired right before the season started, it’s quite challenging to gauge our expectations. We are also in a group consisting of the elite of European handball. Predicting anything is difficult, but we won’t shy away from fighting and doing our utmost,” Jelena asserts.

A Major Reason for My Decision to Stay

Last November, the Montenegrin national team member chose to return to the club where she celebrated European Championship victory in 2015, following her challenges in Debrecen, Crimea, Djer, and Ferencvaros. This summer, she faced the decision to either become a free agent or remain with Budućnost. Although it was a complex moment, her choice was straightforward.

“For the past two years, I’ve been in a position where I cannot focus solely on myself. I have a daughter, and any parent can relate; it’s not easy to pack up in just five days and venture into the world with her. My husband is also a professional athlete (Bogdan Radivojevic, Serbian national team handball player), so we often find ourselves apart, and I would have to go alone with our child,” Jelena explained.

She emphasizes the need for good organization to facilitate any potential move.

“I wouldn’t take a risk if I wasn’t sure everything was right for her. She is my priority; if she is secure and at ease, then I can also focus on playing. If the club had shut down, I wouldn’t have gone anywhere.”

First Opponent – Rapid and Milena

European champion Đer, runner-up Ludvigsburg (previously Bittheim), third-place Esbjerg from the Final Four, as well as Odense, Vipers, Brest, and Rapid from Bucharest form a grueling group for Budućnost in the Champions League.

“Our first opponent this Sunday at 4:00 PM is the Romanian representative, whose squad includes Milena Raičević, along with staff member Igor Markovic,” she noted.

“They are a formidable team, and on paper, they are certainly the favorites. Yes, we will play against Milena and several other national team players as the season progresses. Over those 60 minutes, we will battle for our respective colors, and friendships will resume once the games conclude,” Jelena emphasized.

In the second round, Budućnost will host Brest in Podgorica, with hopes that the atmosphere in their capital can return to what it once was.

“Unfortunately, the atmosphere in Podgorica hasn’t been particularly vibrant in recent seasons, and I think we all miss that energy. I believe this city deserves to see the return of our previous spirit. We are eager for our fans to come out, and we hope to see as many of them as possible; we will certainly need their support this season,” concluded Jelena Radivojević.

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