The defeat to Mega in "Morača" in March 2016 in the playoff semi-finals is one of the most painful, but it is also the last and only one that a club from Serbia has recorded in our largest hall.
Mega then crushed the dreams of the Budućnost Voli basketball players who entered the playoffs in first place, but after that she had no business in Podgorica.
Andrej Žakelj's team is hoping for the same outcome that has been the case for almost a decade since then, on Friday evening at 18 pm, when they will welcome a well-known rival in the 12th round of the Admirabet ABA League.
Mega is not as strong today as it was in 2016, but it is still one of the most difficult teams in the regional competition.
"Mega has been playing fast and aggressive basketball for years, with a lot of transition and freedom in the game, which can be very tricky if we are not prepared and focused," said Andrej Žakelj.
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The match was played between Buducnost and Mega in "Morača", and the result in wins was 14:1 for the "blue and white"
Buducnost is looking for a fifth consecutive triumph in the ABA League, after easily defeating Vienna in the previous round with unnecessary relaxation in the second half.
"The approach and concentration must be better than in the previous game - that is the basis for all future matches," Žakelj is clear.
The Podgorica team is 8-2, and Mega is 3-7, so it seems like the favorite is clear.
"We're facing a tough match. We have some minor problems with the squad, but we're still the favorites and we have to show it on the field," added the Slovenian expert.
James Thompson returns to the Buducnost team after recovering from injury.
"We will need a lot of energy, then to play extremely solid defense and come away with a victory. The most important thing is to triumph and show that we are a quality team," said the American basketball player.
By the end of the year, in addition to the duel with Mega, the "blue and white" also have a Eurocup derby to look forward to - Turk Telekom will arrive in Podgorica on Tuesday.
"We need to go into the match with Meg with high intensity and focus on what's next for us, in order to continue building our form for the next games," said Tommson.
And what kind of duel does the center from Louisiana expect on Friday night in "Morača"?
"Very intense, primarily defensively, but also to be at the same level in every segment of the game throughout the entire game," concluded Thompson.
Buducnost and Mega recently played their first match of the season in Novi Beograd, and the Montenegrin champion was convincing 98:65.
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