Legendary Montenegrin expert Igor Kolaković, coach of Slovenian champion ACH Volej, is once again sitting on the bench of the team from Ljubljana - just like 15 years ago - together with his long-time collaborator, former Buducnost player Dragan Kobiljski.
Kolaković, who also led the senior Serbian national team for many years, recalled in an interview for the official CEV website his early successes in Slovenia, when he won two double crowns with the then ACH Volley from Bled - two national championship titles and a national cup.
"We now have eight Slovenian national team players in the team who played at the 2025 World Cup. In addition to the starters - Tine Urnaut, Gregor Ropret, Tonček Štern, Alen Pajenk and Jani Kovačič - there are also Nejc Najdič, Janž Janez Kržič and Luka Marovt. I must emphasize that our captain Urnaut is not yet in full form, because his recovery from injury has been prolonged, but we are doing everything to fulfill, above all, our expectations. We played in all three qualifying rounds of the Champions League, which is a bit illogical, but even against Trentino we showed that our place among the best is not accidental," Kolaković told the official CEV website, as reported by Odbojka.me.
The 60-year-old Podgorica native's coaching journey has been marked by numerous successes, and some of his first major results were achieved in Slovenia.
He recalled the time when ACH finished fourth in the Champions League and advanced to the Final Four, which, he says, put the club on the European volleyball map.
With the Serbian national team, he won a total of eight medals - including gold at the 2011 European Championships and bronze at the 2010 World Championships - and he also took the national team to the Olympic Games three times: in Beijing 2008, London 2012 and Paris 2024.
"It was a period filled with joy. I am especially proud that I took Serbia to the Olympic Games three times - in Beijing 2008, London 2012 and Paris 2024. Everyone knows how difficult it is to qualify for the Olympic Games and remain among the 12 best teams in the world. It was especially important for Serbia to return to Paris after 12 years, and we succeeded. I always felt at home - because of the players, the coaching staff and the people in the federation. Such harmony is rare, but we had it," Kolaković recalled nostalgically.
Kolaković also managed the Iranian national team, and through his club career, in addition to an unforgettable start on the bench of Buducnost, he also built his career in France (AS Can), Poland (Zavjerće) and Turkey (Halkbank Ankara), before returning to ACH Volej.
Commenting on today's chances of young players developing, he admits that it is difficult to give them space in modern volleyball: club owners and coaches today most often think about how to survive match by match, and the development of young players remains in the background.
It's hard to give a young player a chance when you're playing important games, and without those games they can't progress. 15 years ago, Uroš Kovačević was an exceptional talent and later became an excellent player because he got a chance and took advantage of it, explained Kolaković.
Speaking about how volleyball and the Champions League have changed, Kolaković notes that the competition is much stronger today than before. The League now includes more clubs - three each from Turkey, Poland and Italy - although Russian teams are not participating due to suspension.
"Previously, it was not possible for so many clubs from one country to play in an elite competition. Back then, the level was lower. Today, the rules are such that the game is faster, longer without a 'second dirty' touch, and more decisions are made in the player's actions. The balls have changed, there are fewer quick combinations, and physical strength is greater. Changes are necessary for progress, but they are happening slowly," Kolaković analyzes.
Although ACH Volley was recently defeated by Trentino 3:0, the former coach of the Serbia and Montenegro national team (2003-2006) points out that the result does not fully reflect what happened on the field and that his team had a chance to show its quality.
"Trentino has a respectable team and will certainly be among the candidates for the final four and the trophy. Our next rivals - like Zirat Banka - will also be extremely strong. We had a difficult journey through the qualifications and I believe we are in one of the most difficult groups. However, our goal is to present ourselves in the best light and continue to play well," announced Kolaković, adding that he is also happy that younger players, some of whom are only 20 years old, are now fighting for playing time in the team.
The Slovenian champion will continue the group stage by welcoming the Turkish champion Zirat Banka from Ankara, at the Tivoli Hall in Ljubljana on January 8th, starting at 20 p.m.
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