Budućnost win Regional League

A 31-29 victory over Serbian champions Zaječar was enough for Budućnost to clinch the fourth edition of the Regional League, which this year featured seven teams from Serbia, FYR Macedonia and Montenegro.

Playing in Bar (Montenegro), Budućnost’s victory proved harder than expected with Zaječar playing superbly. But Budućnost also showed signs of a hard 10 days of training in prearation for their big clash against Györi AUDI ETO KC in the EHF Women's Champions League.

In a tight match, Budućnost had a 5:2 lead early in the game, but Zaječar reduced the deficit to one goal at half time. In the second half the guests managed to take the lead for only the second time in the match in the 43rd minute (20:19), but that was soon to end.

With goals coming from Bojana Popović and Ana Radović, Budućnost retook the lead at 30:17 with a minute and 17 seconds left, and held out for victory.

Katarina Bulatović was their best scorer with 10 goals, Bojana Popović added seven and Ana Radović four. Goalkeeper Clara Woltering made 19 saves.

Slađana Pop-Lazić led Zaječar with 11 goals, while Jelena Erić scored six times.

"I expected Zaječar to be at their best, and they were - unlike us. We needed that kind of opponent, because Zaječar play in a similar way as Györi,” said Dragan Adžić, coach of Budućnost.

“That’s why this game will be useful for us. We made lot of mistakes, Zaječar’s line player scored 11 goals, and it’s good that it happened now, because we have time to deal with that and repeat some things,” added Adžić, who was without the services of Anđela Bulatović and Dijana Jovetić because of minor injuries.

In the semi-final, Budućnost defeated Metalurg 32:22 (16:12), while Zaječar was better in the Serbian clash against Jagodina 31:25 (16:17).

In a third place game, Jagodina won against Metalurg (FYROM) 25:22 (14:8).

"The game was great,” said coach of Zaječar Dragan Markov. “We managed to deal with Budućnost, the result was uncertain till the end, but they are a level above us, so we were probably playing above our abilities.

“Congratulations to Budućnost and I wish them all the luck in the EFH CL final. Next season we will also play in the Champions League and we want to build a team that can last throughout these competitions.”

Budućnost finished the Regional League with 14 victories from 14 games, and the team from Podgorica were also honoured with three other awards.

Bojana Popović is the best player, Clara Woltering the best goalkeeper, while Dragan Adžić was voted best coach.

The best scorer of this competition is Marina Dmitrović from Serbian outfit Jagodina, who scored 84 goals.