Balša Radanović - the captain of Rudar is only 18 years old, and he has enchanted the youth network

Faced with an extremely strong group, a whirlwind of failures for the senior national team, and numerous injuries and transfers in the need for a painless generational change, the young Montenegrin football team, despite all forecasts, is still keeping its head "above water" in the European Championship qualifiers.

Goran Perišić's team managed to win against North Macedonia in Tuzi in the 4th round of Group E, with a 3:2 upset. Last month, they beat Sweden in Podgorica - 2:0, and two defeats came against the favorites, Italy and Poland, both away.

One of the heroes of the triumph over the Macedonians, important before the continuation of the cycle, was debutant Balša Radanović, with his brilliant saves. It can rightly be said that he had a dream debut in goal for the young national team.

- It wasn't easy, because we were practically a different team compared to the start of the qualifiers, and it took us some time to "connect". However, as the game progressed, we got better and better and deservedly celebrated. An important victory, because we have the best schedule in the rest of the qualifiers. The fact that as many as six players from the youth team were transferred to the A team should not be overlooked, and I, for example, was an extra player in the 2-0 defeat in Poland, both on the scoresheet and from the stands, watching the game. However, Benjamin Kriještarac's injury, after they had previously been unable to count on Filip Domazetović due to an injury, influenced the decision for goalkeeping coach Nikola Marčelja and coach Goran Perišić to give me a chance. I am delighted that I justified that trust and I have only received praise. However, I did not stand in the goal of the team by chance, because I have worked with coach Perišić before. And I'm not nervous, I defend continuously and that's very important to stay focused for the entire 90 minutes - said 18-year-old Rudar captain Balša Radanović.

Born into a sports family, he inherited the captain's armband from his father Miloš, now the goalkeeper coach and president of Rudar, and is the pride of the football north. His talent and great defense have been crowned by invitations to all the junior national teams.

- I am proud to be one of two debutants in the youth team in this October "window" of qualifications, along with Lazar Savović, who is the only one younger than me in the team. We have an excellent selection, and the schedule is such that our competitors for placement come in the continuation of the qualifications. They are already in November, and it will depend on the decisions of the coaching staff whether the players transferred to the senior selection will also help us. Besides, I don't know whether I will be in the youth team either, because in November there is also a qualifying tournament for my age group, the youth team in Albania. The coaching staff will decide, and I certainly have the same crest on my jersey. As for my teammates in the selections, we adapt very quickly and build excellent relationships - explained Radanović.

He has no dilemma on his football path - the goal is the "league five".

- I follow how the best defend, and my favorites are Gianluigi Donnarumma and the incredibly reliable Jordan Pickford. I think that because of the speed of the players, the strength of the duel and the pace of the game, it is the most difficult for goalkeepers in the Premier League, but in other leagues, the five-man team is incredibly challenging. Well, I played in the same club and national team with Andrija Bulatović and our fathers played in the same team, so we have a special friendly relationship. So I know how many pieces need to fit together to be able to compete there. However, I believe that I will progress to the level of standing in goal on that biggest club stage, and my wish is Serie A or the Premier League - concluded Radanović.

His house is a field under Golubinja

Rudar is the only national champion from the north, the third most trophy-winning football team in Montenegro. The period of great success of the "pride of the north" was marked by Miloš Radanović with the captain's armband, now Rudar is in the second league, and the armband has been taken over by his successor - Balša Radanović.

- Pljevlja has Rudnik, Termoelektrana, conditions for football, a tradition of success and knowledge in work. Pljevlja deserves a first league team, but every year the help goes to others. I think that is unfair, to put it mildly - incorrect! Despite that, the club manages to compete, everything promised to the players is fulfilled. We now have two games under Golubinja and if we win them we will be at the top of the table again. - said the 18-year-old captain.

From his fifth year at Rudar, Radanović knew that his calling would be as a goalkeeper. The desire to help his club left him in Pljevlja.

- I had numerous offers, from domestic and especially Serbian first league teams, some big clubs. However, I will stay until January, my wish is for the club to be as close to the top as possible and then they will probably remember to help us. I also wanted to finish the School of Economics regularly, I started it, but due to football commitments I will have to take my final exam part-time. I only missed two games this season, due to national team matches, and the last of them was a 6:2 defeat in Ulcinj. We analyzed the game, saw the mistakes and, in the round of 16 of the Crna Gopra Cup in Ulcinj, we promise Otranto that it will not be easy for them - concluded Radanović.