It happens that a second-league team beats a first-league team and eliminates it from the Cup, it happens that even the main favorite "gets hurt", especially in one match, anything is possible...
Few, however, expected Iskra to overpower Buducnost in a match that was scheduled for late autumn, but was accidentally moved to spring. Few expected it, because it was known how important the Cup was to the "blues", how much they wanted a double crown in the season of the club's greatest possible jubilee - 100 years of existence - and they have practically already won the title (of course, not theoretically, but they have a huge difference).
Few expected it, because Iskra is only sixth in the Second League, closer to the fight for survival than the top, and was struggling with financial problems this fall.
In the end, few expected it, considering the huge difference in quality - Buducnost also dominates the First League, it was believed that they would have no problems with the second-league team, and on neutral ground.
And yet, a sensation happened - a huge success for the young Danilovgrad team, a great failure and disappointment for Buducnost, spring has just begun, and the season is already incomplete, no matter how it ends. And this in a season when it was needed the most and when expectations were the highest.
- We have a young, too young team, and honestly, I was a little afraid that the players would 'burn out' against the big favorite - says the day after the match Iskra coach Milan Radulović, former defender of Buducnost, champion generations of Zeta, Mogren...
That didn't happen.
- We didn't want to defend ourselves, to just stand in front of our goal. Our plan was to thwart them where they are strongest, on the wings, to blunt their attack. They succeeded in that, and it was clear how much they miss Milan Vukotić, who in the first part of the season solved these and similar matches with his individual quality. The future has brought in good substitutes, but it probably takes time for them to fit in. We took advantage of all that and achieved great success - says Radulović.
The certainty and confidence with which his young men took penalty kicks was impressive.
- Before the kick-off, I asked if there were any volunteers to take the penalty, and eight out of 10 players said they wanted to take the penalty. That was a good sign. Even when Perović “poked” the ball in the second series and scored a goal, it further boosted the confidence of the guys who were left to take the kick, they saw that they could overcome a goalkeeper like Milan Mijatović.
- I also told them that they had already accomplished a feat, and that the penalty and chance they received were a reward for what they had done - adds Radulović.
Iskra's goalkeeper, 17-year-old Tomaš Đurović, is a special story and the absolute hero of Iskra's progress, as he saved two penalties, against Budučno signing Piščević and national team player Gašević.
- Đurović defended in the cadet league last season, it was clear that he was very talented, and great recommendations came from the goalkeeping coach. He has great potential, he needs to continue working - says Radulović.
And who, in general, are the young men from Iskra who eliminated Buducnost?
- The oldest and almost the only somewhat experienced player, Danilo Marković, is 26 years old. Vučinić and Obradović were born in 2002, and everyone else was born in 2005 and 2006 - so all teenagers, plus goalkeeper Đurović who was born in 2007 - concludes Milan Radulović.
It will be harder in two matches, but we believe again.
Iskra is in the Cup semi-finals for the third time in independent Montenegro, although on the previous two occasions (2020 and 2021) when it was among the top four, it was a stable first-league team.
And in the spring, when it warms up, Milan Radulović's boys will try to accomplish a new feat and reach the final for the first time.
There were second-league teams that played for the trophy - Čelik in 2012, Igalo in 2018...
Iskra's competitors will be Dečić Admiralbet, Mornar, and Petrovac or Rudar (they will play the quarterfinal duel tomorrow).
- I've always said that the Cup final is the most beautiful game on the domestic scene. What a reward that would be for these young guys. We believe, we hope, because if we've already eliminated Iskra and Budućnost, why wouldn't we believe? Although we know that it will be harder to eliminate a first-league team in two games than in one - Radulović points out.
Bonus video:
