The result is celebrated as a triumph – the Budućnost handball squad held the reigning European champions Djer to a draw (23:23), securing their first point of the Champions League in the 4th round.

The “Blues” performed exceptionally well against the favorites, with standout contributions from goalkeeper Sakura Hauge (16 saves) and Jelena Radivojević (who scored seven goals and provided assists).

“This is the only approach to play against Đer – strong in defense while being patient in attack. Our rotation isn’t large, making it challenging to maintain such a pace for 60 minutes. Hauge excelled in goal, and every player contributed; this is a collective achievement,” said Bojana Popović, the coach of the Podgorica team.

She expressed her satisfaction with both the performance and the outcome.

“We have demonstrated that we can progress and establish something we believe in. If we can perform like this against Đer, then we can certainly compete against any team in the Champions League. Some matches showcase our capabilities while others do not, but it’s clear that we are improving as the season advances. It’s vital for the players to support one another, which builds confidence and personal growth, leading to positive results.”

Jelena Radivojević shone brightly against her former team.

“I’m proud of the team. Having played for Đer, I understand the commitment required in every match to win. We aimed to slow them down as much as possible and didn’t make many changes. Hauge was phenomenal in goal, and we earned this point,” stated the Montenegrin international.

News