Big dreams on the biggest stage

The day of the big debut of our best volleyball players on the biggest stage is approaching - their first appearance at the European Championship, which starts in six days.

Days of dedicated work, hours of training in the Kolašin gym, control matches, official and unofficial, against Austria and Portugal - that was the rhythm of our volleyball players in the past almost 40 days.

And it had to be that way, because Montenegro wants to present itself at its best on the biggest stage for the first time.

- We are excited, we can't wait for the European Championship to start - said the middle blocker Katarina Budrak.

With a lot of emotion and pride, our girls are waiting for the start of the championship, while, on the other hand, their coach, the selector Jovo Cakovic, Proud above all of seeing his team getting better day by day.

He supported this with fact, not just impression, after three friendly matches against Portugal - two unofficial, one official - in which Montenegro was better in results all three times than the team that also plays at Eurovolleyball.

- In the Golden League last year in Hungary, we lost to Portugal 3:0. We were not even close to winning a set, now we have seen that with this team, with some new players in the rotation, young girls, we are controlling the games. We can say that we have taken a big step forward - says Caković.

- You can see the progress. It's nice to see that the hard work we've put in over these two seasons is paying off - he adds Teodora Čavić, the receiver of the service.

Such a path was not taken by chance, but rather the way it is done in high-level sports - through work, training, repetition, sacrifice in every action since Caković came to the bench of Montenegro...

"We always demand 100 percent at every moment, in every part of training. That's good, because sometimes we think we're giving our best, but when you see someone pushing you forward, you see that you can do even better," Katarina Budrak vividly describes her work with coach Caković.

- All players respect hard work when they see progress, changes and differences, and when they experience beating teams they couldn't before. I hope that victories like these will give us new motivation to enter the gym, to continue working on ourselves, to deal with details, so that we can get better day by day, and victories will increase the confidence of the entire team - Caković points out.

- 100 percent is always required at every moment, in every part of training. That's good, because sometimes we may think we're giving our best, but when you see someone pushing you forward, then you see that you can do even better - Katarina Budrak vividly describes her work with coach Caković.

Montenegro's debut appearance is expected to be in what is generally considered the toughest group - with giant Italy, then great France, excellent host Sweden, and Slovakia and Croatia.

- This is our first European Championship. I want us to show patience, great discipline and to look for a chance. If a chance comes our way in even sets, we want to take it. Basically, we have nothing to lose, but I am sure we will have a great motive to try to make a surprise - Caković emphasizes.

- I think it is essential that we advertise Montenegrin volleyball. We are a small country, and we are in a group with great powers. I think we can show that we also have quality - notes Teodora Čavić.

- Playing against the strongest teams is a pleasure. Our goal is to advance. Those may be big ambitions for a debutant, but there is always a chance - says Katarina Budrak.

The first appearance on the biggest stage, matches in the magnificent Skandinavijum Arena, with a capacity of 14 thousand seats - is that a motive or pressure? For Caković, there should be no dilemma.

- I believe that this should not be a hindrance, but a great motivation and challenge. Everyone involved in sports has challenges. Ours is to see where our achievements are in relation to the best in Europe - says Caković.

And what will the coach say to the girls in his final words before their debut, on August 21st at 19 pm, against Sweden...

- These will be words of challenge, of will and desire to try to do something that perhaps for us and for many is not achievable at this moment. But, when there is a chance and when we are where we are, why not try? Not to try, but to have a goal, because when you believe in something, you can achieve it.

Our volleyball team travels to Sweden on Tuesday, three days later they will debut against the hosts, followed by Italy, France, Slovakia and Croatia.

The four best teams from the group advance to the round of 16.

Teodora Čavić: The beginning of an even more beautiful story

The European Championship is coming and it will pass. That's why we're already looking to the future, and there's a lot of talent in the younger teams.

- I think these are the foundations we are laying for future generations. We also cannot exclude the sacrifices of previous generations from this process, because if it weren't for them, we wouldn't be here either. Now this generation is on the scene, and I actually think this will just be the beginning of an even more beautiful story - points out Teodora Čavić, host of the Budućnost service.

- We have girls who in a few years will be at a much higher level than we are today. We just have to take it step by step, work hard and improve ourselves - notes Katarina Budrak.