The senior men’s volleyball team of Montenegro is currently training in Podgorica as they gear up for their first appearance in the Golden League. Among the promising talents joining the squad is 21-year-old middle blocker Matija Ćinćur, who shares his thoughts after the initial gathering of a notably youthful team, now directed by new coach Ivica Jevtić.

Ćinćur views the competitive environment within the team as a motivating factor for both personal and collective improvement. In training, he works closely with the team’s most seasoned player, Luka Babić, alongside younger teammates Nikola Đurović and Dalibor Lečić.

“I believe that competition is the most rewarding aspect of any team; it motivates you to perform at your best every day, leading to significant progress. It’s important to note that the competition here is healthy, as we support and encourage one another to improve with each training session. I truly appreciate being in such an environment,” Ćinćur shared with the Association’s website.

While it’s too soon for definitive conclusions, the early days of training have left a promising impression on the young volleyball player, who is especially pleased with the team’s commitment and positive atmosphere.

“It’s still premature to discuss specific opinions and expectations, but my observations so far are very encouraging. What I find particularly uplifting is the willingness to work among both players and coaching staff. Adapting to the coach’s style takes time, but for now, everything seems to be functioning well and feels like a refreshing change. We have many challenges ahead, and I hope we will tackle them effectively; I believe that with our dedication and effort, we can achieve breakthroughs in the future,” he added.

Discussing his personal performance and the transition from club to national team rhythm, Ćinćur remains humble yet straightforward about his goals.

“There’s no precise formula for this. The season went well, and I maintained a good level of performance. My priority now is to translate that form to the national team through my hard work and dedication,” concludes Matija.

The first tournament in the Golden League is set for June 6 against Romania, followed by a match against the Latvian national team the next day. The second tournament will take place in Podgorica from June 13 to 15, featuring the Czech Republic and Finland. The final tournament will be held in North Macedonia the following weekend, where they will compete against Israel and the host team.

The CEV Golden League final tournament will occur from July 4 to 6 in Brno, Czech Republic.

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