UPDATE: Budva’s volleyball team has just clinched their playoff position after a decisive 3-1 victory against Budućnost at the MTEL Hall Moraca. This victory, achieved on July 15, 2023, marks an impressive second win in the league derby this season, solidifying their top spot in the EPCG Superliga with 12 victories anticipated by the end of the regular season.
Miljan Bošković, head coach of Budva, emphasized the significance of this match, stating,
“This game represents an important step forward and additional motivation for the remainder of the season.”
The win not only secures Budva’s direct advancement to the semifinals but also leaves Budućnost facing a quarterfinal match against Lovćen, who currently sits at the bottom of the standings.
The match started with Budućnost gaining an early lead, reaching a 4-point advantage at times, notably at 23:21. However, Budva’s players rallied back with a crucial 4-0 run to win the first set, showcasing their resilience under pressure. Coach Bošković remarked on the team’s ability to regain focus, saying,
“In key moments, we showed character and elevated our level of play.”
Budva dominated the second set, winning 25:20, and appeared on track for a clean sweep when they established a commanding lead of 12:5. Yet Budućnost responded, capturing the third set and extending the match’s tension with another 25:20 win.
Ultimately, Budva regained control in the fourth set, decisively closing it out at 24:15 to secure the match. Coach Bošković noted the pivotal nature of their performance in the second set, stating,
“We controlled the pace and dictated the game, not allowing our opponent to come back.”
With this victory, Budva not only has the psychological edge going into the playoffs but will also enjoy home-court advantage throughout the playoff series. This is particularly crucial as they prepare for a likely final showdown against Budućnost, who they have split wins with this season.
Looking ahead, Budva’s momentum is expected to carry them through the playoffs, with Bošković emphasizing the need to maintain this level of energy and focus. “We still have room for improvement, but I want to see this approach and energy as we move forward,” he concluded.
Fans of Budva can expect their team to continue capitalizing on this victory as they prepare for the final regular-season match against Sutjeska, where they aim to finish the season undefeated.
