Sutjeska basketball players finished the season by reaching - or being eliminated from - the semifinals of the First Montenegrin League and the ABA2 League.
The Nikšić team finished the regular season of the domestic championship in first place, while in the regional competition it reached the top four teams.
The season was summed up by coach Marko Simonović, who took over the team last summer.
"I think we met and exceeded our goals. When I arrived last summer, I agreed with the people from the club that we would try to stabilize the club, set up a system and slowly start building our story. In the ABA2 league, we wanted to be competitive, and qualifying for the playoffs would be a success. In the Montenegrin league, we wanted to try to be among the top two if possible in order to qualify for the ABA2 league again. With five rounds to go, we secured first place in the Montenegrin league, and against SC Derby in the semi-finals, we were competitive, even though we had problems with injuries. In the ABA2 league, we reached the semi-finals, where our inexperience in playing big games cost us a possible passage," said Simonović in an interview for the club's website.
Sutjeska has won 12 games in the domestic championship from January to mid-March.
"The losses in the Montenegrin league happened immediately before or after the games in the ABA2 league. We lost to Ibar before the game with Radnički in Kragujevac, Jedinstvo beat us after Radnički, where we were worn out and that was expected. We lost to Mornar a few days after the victory over Jahorina. After the defeat to Mornar on December 27, we played better and better. The Montenegrin league was quite demanding and challenging, but I think we showed quality and dominance," said the Sutjeska coach.
The team from Nikšić played in the semi-finals of the ABA2 league for the first time in six years, but Simonović believes that the team could have done better.
"The players did not have experience playing in big games, some did not have a serious role in previous seasons, which was felt in important matches. We lost to Zlatibor for first place, to Sloboda in the last round, as well as to TFT in the semi-finals. Andrej Vulević's injury hit us a lot. He was a pillar of the defense and his absence changed the hierarchy and roles in the team," explained Simonović.
Speaking about the quality of the ABA2 league, Simonović believes that the competition was no weaker than in previous seasons.
"I can't agree with that. The league was very even and anyone could beat anyone. There may not have been a clear favorite, but the competition system was very interesting," said Simonović.
Sutjeska's coach also pointed out that the atmosphere in the team during the season was very good.
"The guys are great people and I am grateful to them for their attitude and dedication. I think we have made a step forward both organizationally and in terms of results. There were difficult moments, nervousness and problems, but we got through it all," said Simonović.
He added that he was pleased with the audience's support throughout the season.
"The energy in the hall and in the city was great. People came to the games and supported the team. I hope that next season the audience will be even bigger," said Simonović.
Speaking about the upcoming season, Simonović confirmed that he had spoken with the club's management.
"People from the club said they would like me to stay next season. I feel great in Nikšić and I see myself here. It's too early to talk about ambitions, but we want to be more competitive and further improve the team," Simonović concluded.
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