Buducnost chase a place in history

It’s a big day on Sunday (13 May), and it could be a historical one for Budućnost. They have reached the final of the EHF Women's Champions League for the first time, but the Montenegrin side wants to go a step further and lift the trophy.

"When I look back to the start of the season in August last year, I remember all the tough preparation at Kopaonik where we went rafting and boating to unconsciousness. All those preparations in Bar, traveling over 18 hours," said Maja Savić, left winger for Budućnost, at the final press conference (Friday 11) ahead of the match.

“Reaching the final is the icing on the cake. We should all enjoy it, because we are playing in the EHF Women's Champions League final.”

A two-goal deficit (27:29) from the first leg in the Veszprém Arena is not a big gap, but Budućnost must play better against Györi Audi ETO KC than in the First Leg, especially in defence.

“Györi Audi ETO KC will be tactically very well prepared, as we will. They can’t surprise us, that's for sure. We have a great desire to play well, to beat Györi Audi ETO KC to keep the Morača Hall as an impregnable fortress for the whole season.

“We just have to relax, enjoy, and not think about the pressure. We know the hall will be full and that should be a plus for us, and give us wings to reach the target", added Savić.

Playing for Danish side Slagelse, Savić twice won the EHF Women's Champions League, but a third title with Budućnost would be the best one.

"This Budućnost team really reminds me of the one at Slagelse, I said that before. We really are a compact unit. Many times before we have shown that we have a strong team, no matter how many goals somebody scores. We are aware that we can reach our target only if we all give a 100 per cent, if we play and suffer for each other.

“It doesn’t matter how much someone is playing, it’s important that those players who do get on the court gives their maximum. Everyone has their own task and it is important we respect all the playing time, respect what is happening on the field and fight for each other," stated Savić.

The most experienced player in the team, Savić said that they perhaps had more pressure in the semi final against Larvik than they do now, probably because a Budućnost team has never before reached the final.

“I think this is a golden generation, we showed that we know how to deal with the pressure. I hope we can stick together, as always, and show that we are a real team in every sense", concluded Maja Savić.

Despite the pressure on the team, Coach Dragan Adžić said that it will not be a problem.

“Against Larvik in the semi finals we managed to overcome the pressure, and it was much more difficult since no generation before us made it to the final,” he said.

“I believe we will go into the game like in every match so far in the Morača Hall and do the job in the best possible way, focusing only on the game.

“If we focus on the history, the importance for Montenegro, etc… it will certainly hamper us. We will try, we'll do everything, and I'm sure it will happen, to make the girls play the game and deal only with what is important in the field”, said Adžić.

Right back Katarina Bulatović didn’t have a good first leg, scoring just three goals and missing three of five penalties, but Adžić believes she will do better on Sunday.

“Katarina has been working hard for several days, physiologically she is closer to the rest of the team, and of course she will be in better shape on Sunday, like all the other girls.

“We timed the form to coincide with this match, as always. We had to do it, since we do not have a competition that gives us the chance to drop and raise the form. We managed that every time with a major engagement and commitment of all girls, and I'm sure we did it this time too”, added Adžić.

Asked if Györi Audi ETO KC can play better than in the first game, Adžić said: “I believe that they believe they can do better. We certainly can, and we'll show it. And we will, like against all other teams who come to the Morača Hall, make them play below their best, that’s our target every time,” stated Adžić.

He confirmed that all the players are healthy and ready to play, including Anđela Bulatović, who missed the first game due to back problems.

“Thank God, this week we are working in full capacity, all players are ready. We hope that this will be the situation till the game,” concluded Adžić.

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