Seventh consecutive title, another double crown, a premiere - triple crown, as they also won the first Montenegrin Super Cup, with only two lost sets in all domestic competitions throughout the season.
These numbers best illustrate the dominance of Budva volleyball players in the domestic arena.
Trophies are nice, but they were not the only goal this season, says Budvan coach Miljan Bošković in an interview for Odbojka.me, website of the Volleyball Federation of Montenegro.
"We are dedicated to the children, we are dedicated to the project of creating future national team players. We have never had a younger team than we did this season. Our cadets and juniors played practically the entire league part of the season, and the last game we played with the strongest possible team, before the finals of the competition, was played on November 22. They also showed how much matches mean to these boys at tournaments in national team selections, in Zadar and in Italy. We have affirmed a large number of young players and I can proudly say that we have fulfilled that goal, not only in terms of results," emphasizes Miljan Bošković.
Next season will bring changes to the club volleyball scene.
Appearing in the regional MEVZA league should sharpen the competition and increase quality and competition - it will be good for everyone, including Budva, Bošković points out.
"The chance that the Volleyball Federation of Montenegro has provided us with will be given and it must be used, whoever plays. Budva is not in dispute, I hope that Buducnost will also play. A strong regional competition will strengthen the domestic league, and strong matches will help the players to progress better. All of this should help the national team, and overall, to increase the popularization of volleyball, to get as many children involved in this sport as possible. Because, since the beginning of this century and the famous matches between Budvanska Riviera and Buducnost, the number of children practicing volleyball has decreased, I believe that the time is coming when all of this will slowly return to normal, largely thanks to the great work of the Volleyball Federation, adds Bošković.
Buducnost entered the season finale with greater ambitions than before, but all they managed to do was defeat Budva by two sets – one each in the Cup final and the final series, which was played on three matches won.
"The stronger the Future, the stronger Montenegrin volleyball will be. A stronger Future will bring a stronger Budva. Without the best Future, there is no best Budva, without the best Budva, there is no best Future, it's the same as in other leagues, in other sports. The rival pushes you to be even better, and I hope that some other clubs will get involved."
Budva will face competition on three fronts next season – Europe, the region (MEVZA League) and finally, the Montenegrin championship.
The goal, however, remains the same.
"We still want to develop young players, I believe at an even higher level than before, which the MEVZA league will bring. We will not be too eager to pursue any major reinforcements. The model we have had so far has proven to be successful - along with young players, having a few more experienced ones from whom they can learn and progress. This has proven to be excellent in the example of Balša Radunović, Luka Babić, Miloš Ćulafić, Vojin Ćaćić...", concludes Miljan Bošković.
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