The OTP Group Buducnost women’s handball club is starting the new EHF Champions League season on a solid foundation, having retained the core of the team while adding three new players. The standout addition is Montenegrin national team member Itana Grbić, who returns from the Slovenian team Krim, as stated by the capital’s mayor, Prof. Dr. Saša Mujović, in an interview on the club’s official website.

– We have kept the main roster from last season, which is comprised mostly of Montenegrin players. We are entering the new season with three new additions: the Montenegrin national team center back Itana Grbić, returning from Krim, along with Senegal pivot Ava N’Diaj and former Romanian Gloria Bistrica left winger Dagmara Nocunj.

“We aim to create a stable club where the Capital City serves as a foundational support, collaborating with credible partners like Crnogorska komercijalna banka to make gradual progress each season. In this light, we appreciate the sponsorship support we’ve received, and we hope it will inspire other socially responsible companies to back handball as our sports identity,” Mujović remarked and added:

– Our long-term vision is to bring back our top handball players, allowing national team members to play in Podgorica once more, establishing a strong base for the national team. We aspire to welcome back national team captain Đurđina Jauković and other members in the future. I am in regular contact with the sports department, which has already done much of the groundwork for the new season.

What are your expectations for the team in the upcoming season, marking Buducnost’s 30th anniversary in elite European competition?

– We anticipate an improved performance from Buducnost compared to last season, sending a clear message that the future of Buducnost must remain secure. We will see what outcome that will yield, but it’s vital to maintain stability and a foundation of Montenegrin talent. We believe in taking measured steps forward rather than making radical changes. Projects hastily established can quickly fall apart. While we won’t engage in unrealistic transfers and ambitions, our dreams remain intact, as I trust that the character of these players can offset some of the financial limitations we face compared to our European rivals. Money isn’t always the deciding factor, because our athletes possess something invaluable in their heroic spirit.

How do you plan to organize the club moving forward?

– In the near future, we will conduct a session of the club’s Assembly. During this session, all bodies will be elected and conditions will be laid for further strengthening staff across all levels. This is essential for ensuring long-term stability and maintaining Buducnost’s esteemed role in European handball—we have competed in the Champions League for three decades. I believe these actions will also help draw audiences back to the arena. “Morača” has been and must remain a revered venue for European handball—a place where opponents find it challenging to secure points,” concluded Mujović.

Buducnost team roster for the 2024/2025 season:

Goalkeepers – Armel Atingre, Marija Marsenić, Andrea Škerović

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