The girl with the number 90 - her vision, feints, assists and goals made handball an even more beautiful game, her class was once honored in the final by the four-time champion of Europe in a row, she was an artist on the field, and at the same time a great fighter, leader, captain...
As of Tuesday evening, all that remains one of the most beautiful pages of Montenegrin sports history - the legendary handball player Milena Raičević she realized that she had given everything to handball and ended her great career at the age of 35.
The news she announced in Debrecen after the last match at the European Championship came somewhat unexpectedly, as she is still in great shape, which she showed before the injury at the start of the EHF Euro against Serbia.
- I understand that there are questions as to why now, maybe it is early, but I believe that the time is right and that I have made the right decision - said Milena Raičević for "Vijesti".
She has been playing handball since she was ten years old, when she first wore the blue and white jersey of Budućnost.
- I have always been guided by the fact that the decision to end my career will be my decision, just as it was to start playing this sport. As I said before, I wanted it to be with the national team and I am proud and happy about it. I gave everything I had to this sport, and it returned it to me - added Milena.
3
medals were won by Milena Raičević with Montenegro - gold (2012) and bronze (2022) with the EP and silver with the 2012 Olympic Games
As he says, now is the time for new life chapters that are a priority.
- My family comes first, their support from the first day has been my strength and motivation to always be able to do anything. Lately, it has been very difficult for me, because the distance and separation from my son and family was more and more frequent due to the big trips with the club. I know what it's like when parents are missing, that's why as a mother and parent I want to be with my child - underscored Raičević.
I have no ambitions for coaching
What next? Does Milena stay in handball and does she see herself coaching in the future?
- First of all, I want to give myself time to rest from everything and spend a significant period with my loved ones. To be honest, I have no ambitions to be a coach. Of course, it will always be my wish to remain a part of this sport and help in its development in all possible ways - said the girl who was often the coaches' right hand on the field.
With Montenegro, she was European champion, she reached the all-time Olympic silver medal, in the Buducnost Stari kontinent jersey, she conquered the Stari kontinent twice - there are many medals and memorable moments, can I single out my favorite ones?
- In addition to so many successes, it is very difficult not to single out more of them. I would start from the first one, from which I can say and the greatest successes of my career start - winning the bronze medal at the Junior World Championship - Milena recalled in 2010 and the tournament in South Korea when the young "lionesses" (along with Milena also Majda Mehmedović, Marina Rajcic, Suzana Lazović, Andrea Klikovac...) under the leadership Dragan Adžić sensationally reaches the medal.
A year of miracles
Just two years later, Milena grew into a player who led the senior national team of Montenegro to the greatest success, and her games in the semi-finals of the EHF Euro against Serbia and the final against Norway, then the selection that won four continental championships in a row, will be retold while it is being played. handball.
- The whole year 2012 was special - with winning the Champions League, then the historic Olympic medal and European gold with the national team. And every player from the generation of 2012 will be in a special place for me, because what we did in that year is nothing short of a miracle. With the professional staff led by Dragan Adžić and the man who made this sport the most successful Predrag Bošković (former president of Budućnost and RSCG).
There were also defeats, serious injuries, decisions that she may have regretted later, but...
- I always tried to leave the most difficult things behind me and move forward - Milena is clear.
When you were trained by Dragan Adžić from the age of 10
Is there any moment in the life of Milena Raičević that would stand out as the most important, the moment when the former captain of Budućnosti and Montenegro knew that she would succeed in handball?
- If you have even a little talent, and you have been trained by Dragan Adžic since you were ten years old and you want to learn from him, then you will be a great player - Milena has no doubts.
2
Milena Raičević won the Champions League twice in the Budućnosti jersey - in 2012, and in 2015 when she lifted the cup as the captain. He also won the Cup Winners' Cup in 2010.
Milena tied practically her entire club career to her greatest love, Buducnost. Maybe she dreamed of saying goodbye to handball in a blue and white jersey, but the events of last year disrupted that.
The management board of Buducnost Bemax sent Milena to the Rudar branch, because the handball player who is a symbol of the "blue and white" sued the club for unpaid wages from the 2020/21 season. when she was pregnant. After everything, there was also a parting, so Raičević moved to Rapid from Bucharest.
All that did not change her feelings about the great man from Podgorica.
- I don't hold anything against anyone, the future is in my heart in the most beautiful colors and no one will ever be able to change that. I played for her with all my heart and that will always make me happy and proud. Two Champions Leagues tell a story - concluded Milena Raičević, another legend born in the club from Podgorica.
Bonus video:
