A different atmosphere, the same desire and energy - the best Montenegrin volleyball players are preparing in Kolašin for the final round of the European Championship qualifiers, after having spent over 30 working days together in Podgorica, at the "Voco" hotel and the Verde sports center, in May and June, preparing for their baptism of fire in the Golden League.
Apart from the mountain setting and all the benefits provided by the traditional base of our volleyball teams, the "Bjanka" hotel, what is different is that Montenegro is stronger for Danijela Džaković - one of our most important and experienced players has joined Jovo Caković's team and will be a great asset in the decisive battles for a place at Eurovolley.
Montenegro will host Bosnia and Herzegovina in Goražde on August 6, and four days later they will host Latvia in Kolašin. The calculation is complicated, but also simple – two wins and our team will mathematically advance to the finals.
Fresh, rested, but also full of enthusiasm and energy, the popular Daca arrived after a successful season in Azerbaijan and a much-needed break.
In Kolašin, she found mostly well-known faces, but also some new ones, and above all – a serious work system.
"Everything looks better with a lot of young girls here, but also very serious with the new coaching staff. The arrival of Jovo Caković, a proven and successful coach, but also Tijana Avramović (Malešević) is of great importance and this must be used. I am especially thinking of the younger players, who need to absorb every piece of advice, every training session," says Danijela Džaković.
Montenegro has the quality to qualify for the European Championship, she believes.
"We should not underestimate, but also not overestimate our rivals. It will certainly not be easy, neither against Bosnia and Herzegovina nor against Latvia, but I believe that we are better than both teams. We need to focus, go out on the field and show it – and qualify for the European Championship."
The matches in the CEV Golden League meant a lot – Montenegro is ready to welcome the end of the qualifiers.
"One win, against Azerbaijan, and a successful survival, mean a lot for a debut in a strong competition, against serious national teams. We should not forget that we took a set from Hungary, a team that played in the Golden League final (lost to Ukraine). These are some details that show progress, I am sure that the Golden League is now being played, with the experience that the girls have gone through, to make it look even better, to make another victory happen," believes Danijela.
Fortunately, there is time for victories – when it matters most, in the qualifiers. Especially with Danijela Džaković, who has been wearing the national team jersey for 17 years.
"I believe the girls will gain additional security. With Nikoleta (Perović) and me, but also Meli (Melisa Cenović) and all the other younger players, we have a good backbone of the team, a good collective. In short, we have a team that will only grow, I'm sure of that."
Before the end of the qualifiers, Montenegro will have two friendly matches against Hungary.
"This is a team that played in the Golden League final, very serious and high-quality, and friendly matches with such a rival can only help - I would say that in a way they are a continuation of the Golden League and will help us to get even better acquainted and prepare for the matches against BiH and Latvia."
Daniela finished the season in Azerbaijan in style – she “flew” so well for the Mili Aviasia Akademiasi (National Aviation Academy) team that she was voted the best forward/receiver in the Super League.
And all this with a foot injury that had been bothering her for a long time.
"I struggled with an unpleasant injury for two months, but I managed to fully recover and contribute to the team."
Danijela Džaković will not change her midfield.
I'm staying, I have a contract, and I'm having a great time in Azerbaijan.
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