The EHF Women's Handball Champions League starts this weekend, and OTP Group Budućnost is already a legendary team in the elite.
The Podgorica team, two-time European champions, are opening their 32nd season in the Champions League, and on Sunday they will play a record 349th game in the strongest club competition on the Old Continent against Ferencvaros at the "M:tel Morača Hall", which is an absolute record.
Between the glorious past and the somewhat more realistic, more modest present, as they have not managed to get past the group stage since 2021, the Buducnost handball team believes they will make a breakthrough.
In a tough group, which includes, in addition to strong Ferencvaros, old rivals ĆSM Bucharest, Brest, Borussia Dortmund, Esbjerg and Sol, the team from Podgorica has strong assets. One of them is the returning player, Đurđina Jauković.
After six years, the experienced national team player is back in the Buducnost jersey, and the first impressions from the preparations give her reason for optimism.
"I'm very happy to be back. I felt like this was the right moment. When I left six years ago, I was a little girl eager to prove myself on the biggest stage. Now I'm coming back as a more mature and experienced player and person. I can pass on everything I've been through to the team," Jauković said at a press conference.
She admits that she felt a positive sense of nervousness before the start of preparations, but she is satisfied with the way the team went through a demanding period.
"We had a difficult period, there were some minor injuries, but the atmosphere is great and that is very important. We know how good FTC is. They are one of the best European teams and we are aware of the work that awaits us. However, no one will come to Podgorica with points already won. We have analyzed them well and I believe that they will not have an easy time against us either."
The draw reunited Jauković with two clubs she previously played for - CSM Bucharest and Brest.
Her experience can be valuable to Buducnost, although she herself does not expect that knowing the opponent will automatically mean an advantage.
The reason is, namely, the major changes in the lineups of most European teams.
"We have a solid group, but the Champions League is getting stronger year after year. Everyone is investing a lot and bringing in serious reinforcements, so there are no games in which we can count on easy points in advance. We have to be fully prepared," said Jauković.
He also believes that the period of adjustment could be an opportunity for Buducnost.
"We know my two former clubs well, but they also changed teams a lot. Apart from Đero, hardly anyone has stayed with the same team skeleton. Everyone will need time to find the right rhythm and that could be our chance."
Coach Zoran Abramović is aware that the schedule is extremely demanding at the beginning.
Because, after Ferencvaros, follow ĆSM Bucharest, Brest and Esbjerg, and only then Sola, Krim and Dortmund.
A special challenge is posed by Ferencvaros, which in recent years has consistently been among the teams with the greatest European ambitions.
"Anyone who follows women's handball knows what FTC means. Along with Győr, they have been favorites for the title in Hungary for years, and in the Champions League they belong to the group of teams aiming for the final four. Last season, they were very close to passing against Metz, and Metz later won the Champions League," said Abramović.
The Hungarian club has further strengthened its squad. The team is coming to Podgorica led by new reinforcements, including Elizabeth Omoregi, Michal Möller, goalkeeper Kristensen and Spanish pivot Lisa Čaščet.
"It's clear what their ambitions are. The fact that the EHF has included them among the main candidates for winning the trophy speaks volumes. They are third on the list of competitors."
Abramović still sees room for optimism. The fact that a large number of teams are still searching for ideal form could be important in the opening rounds.
"The first four rounds are against teams from the first two pots that have changed their lineups a lot and are still looking for their game. Maybe this is our chance to win some points, especially at home against FTC and Brest."
Buducnost, on the other hand, enters the new season with a larger roster than last year. Abramović believes that this is one of the team's most important advantages.
"We have 21 players on the roster and we are much stronger than last season. That gives us the ability to withstand problems and possible injuries. No one will come to Morača carefree to take points."
The goal for Sunday is clear - to provide strong resistance to the favored rival and show that Buducnost can be an unpleasant opponent for anyone at home.
"I expect an uncertain game. We will not allow anyone to easily take points from Podgorica. We want to show that our game is focused on making sure that everyone who comes to Morača has a hard job. I hope that we will be real on Sunday and that after 60 minutes we will leave with our heads held high," concluded the Buducnost coach.
The duel between Buducnost and Ferencvaros will be played on Sunday at 16 p.m.
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