Buducnost Sets the Stage as Itana Grbić Receives Captain’s Armband
The OTP Group Budućnost handball team has kicked off their preparations for the upcoming season, set to begin on the first weekend of September.
This season will also mark the start of the EHF Champions League, which will be the club’s 30th appearance in this prestigious competition, solidifying their status as the most decorated handball team in Montenegro.
In terms of the roster, there have been minimal changes since last season.
Three new players have joined the team: Montenegrin national team center back Itana Grbić, who takes on the captaincy, Polish left winger Dagmara Nocunj, and Senegalese center Ava Endiaj.
During her first training session, coach Bojana Popović had 16 players available, with Elena Mitrović and Anđela Guberinić expected to join after the conclusion of the European Women’s U19 Championship.
“We have nearly two months until the new Champions League season kicks off, giving us ample opportunity to prepare for what lies ahead at the start of September. The squad remains largely intact from last season, with the notable exceptions being the left wing and pivot roles. Itana Grbić is set to be our key reinforcement and a leader on the team,” Popović stated.
Preparation Plan:
“Our initial training sessions will take place in Pljevlja. In mid-August, we’ll move to Zagreb for a training camp, followed by a friendly against Lokomotiva. After that, we’ll face Thuringia in Germany. At the end of August, before the Champions League begins, we’ll participate in a tournament in Skopje alongside the champions of North Macedonia and Serbia. The primary goal is to keep all players healthy throughout the training and ensure those returning from injuries regain full fitness, allowing us to train effectively. Our Champions League schedule looks favorable, starting at home against Debrecen, with ample recovery time between matches to mitigate travel fatigue,” Popović added.
Right-back Tanja Ivanovic is resuming training after a hiatus due to back issues, while left-back Nina Ramusovic will follow a specialized program after a lengthy recovery from ACL surgery.
The Budućnost roster consists of: Goalkeepers – Armel Atingre, Marija Marsenić, and Andrea Škerović; Left Wings – Dagmara Nocunj and Nađa Kadović; Right Wings – Nina Bulatović and Dunja Radević; Pivots – Ivana Godeč, Anđela Guberinić, and Ava N’Diaj; Left Backs – Jelena Radivojević and Nina Ramusović; Center Backs – Itana Grbić, Mari Plamenova Tomova, Nikolina Marković, and Elena Mitrović; Right Backs – Tanja Ivanović and Jelena Vukčević.
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