Three days after the biggest victory in the club's history, the future of Voli basketball players is one of the most important matches of the season - the derby with Cedevit in Morača.
If they win tonight's match (18 p.m.) by six or more points, the current champions would take over the 2nd place in the ABA league table and take a big step towards home field advantage in the playoffs, where the same rival would probably be waiting for them. If they were to lose, Jasmin Repesa's team would have to defend 3rd place as well...
This last scenario is unlikely to happen, because Budućnost in their triumph over Real (73:60) showed that they are currently the best team in ex-YU.
It is true that Crvena zvezda has all 16 victories in the regional competition, but after the arrival of Goga Bitadze, Norris Cole and James Bell, and the change of coach, the people of Podgorica are much stronger than before...
Experienced Repesha, however, warns once again that his team will only show that it is real if it plays like it did against Real.
- That's how it always is, real teams repeat the same editions in a row. If from the point of view of approach, energy, aggressiveness and concentration we are like against Real, we will be close to victory. Sometimes the game is a little more difficult tactically, sometimes it's easier or harder to score threes, which depends on the opponent, but it's important to repeat the basic things - said Repeša for "Vijesti".
The man who won 20 cups in his career changed the physiognomy of Budućnost in 20 days since he arrived in Podgorica.
On his debut, the team received 111 points from Armani, and on Friday only 60 from the current champion of Europe and until then the most efficient team of the Euroleague.
- I knew that this team had quality, and through several strong training sessions I tried to impose strong defense. We have to insist on defending at the highest level of intensity, connection and everything else. If we keep doing it, it will definitely produce results. If we don't, we will have the same problems as before.
Repesh was led by Cedevita and he respects Slaven Rimac's team.
- Cedevita recorded nine wins in a row in the ABA league and any further comment about her is redundant. It's certainly no accident. Like every team, there are flaws, but let that remain for me and the team. We will prepare well, and I hope that the hall will be full again. It's wonderful to play in the atmosphere like it was against Real, I would like to repeat that kind of game and for the audience to create a great atmosphere as the sixth player - concluded the 57-year-old expert.
Budućnost and Cedevita will meet for the 31st time. The Zagreb team leads 16:14 in victories, and in the ABA league the score is 15:12. The "Blues" reduced the gap last season, as they won three out of five duels in the regional competition, as well as both in the Top 16 phase of the Eurocup.
Captain Suad Šehović emphasizes the importance of the match with Cedevita.
- We are playing against a direct competitor for 2nd place in the standings and home field advantage in the semi-finals of the playoffs. Cedevita is in good form, especially when it comes to the ABA league. We ended the black streak and have four wins in the last five games. We have to approach the game as against Real and with the help of the audience, we hope for the best outcome - said the 30-year-old Bjelopoljan.
Rimac: The future is in full swing
Cedevita coach Slaven Rimac is aware of the strength of tonight's rival.
- The future is in full swing, because three days ago they defeated Real, and the round before that they also defeated Darusafaka in the Euroleague. A very difficult match awaits us for sure. First of all, we have to respond physically, to stop their run, and we have to be smart in the attack - said Rimac.
The man who, as the coach of Cibona, sensationally won the ABA league in 2014, knows what are the trump cards of Podgorica.
- We have to find a solution for gathering them in a racket. We need a good flow of the ball and it is necessary to do a lot of things to play a good game. These few days we worked a little more on our fitness, because we haven't trained much in the last 10 days, so I hope it will be seen already in this game.
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