Jezic joins EHF Champions League winner Buducnost

Buducnost Podgorica covered themselves in glory when they clinched the 2012 EHF Women's Champions League for women with a dramatic two-leg win over Hungary’s Győri Audi ETO KC on away goals earlier this month, but the pride of Montenegro quickly made it clear there would be no resting on laurels.

Having clinched Europe’s premier club competition for the first time, Buducnost have already started building their squad for next season in a bid to retain the elusive trophy. 

They have signed top Croatian pivot Katarina Jezic from Lokomotiva Zagreb after her good season in the Challenge Cup, where she scored 30 goals in eight appearances for her former team.

The 19-year old international, who will try to qualify for this summer’s Olympic Games with Croatia, left no room for doubt why she opted to join Buducnost at such an early stage of her career.

“I chose Podgorica because the conditions here are much better than at any other club,” Jezic told Croatian media after signing a two-year contract with Buducnost.

“This is a team where I can improve as a player all the time while I can also boost the squad in terms of quality. My ambitions are very high and in order to fulfill them one has to raise the bar. It doesn’t get any higher than Buducnost,” she added.

Jezic’s impressive form in her debut season with Lokomotiva has obviously prompted Buducnost to lure her into their ranks before the Montenegrin club’s rivals in Europe even had a chance to snap the young prospect. 

Her first priority, before she ventures into uncharted territory with Buducnost, will be Croatia’s bid to reach the London Olympics in a qualifying tournament including Netherlands, Argentina and Spain.

“I think we have a very good chance but we can only get there if we breathe as one and take nothing for granted against three very good teams,” she said.