Katarina Bulatović and Bojana Popović are the best Montenegrin athletes of 2012.

Not one, but two handball players were awarded the best athletes of Montenegro in 2012, Bojana Popović and Katarina Bulatović.

The decision from the Montenegrin Olympic Committee is not a surprise bearing in mind the achievements this year by Budućnost and the women’s national handball team.

In May, Budućnost won the Women’s EHF Champions League, while the Montenegrin women’s team took the silver medal at the Olympics Games in London, followed by gold at the recent Women’s EHF EURO 2012 in Serbia.

Bojana Popović and Katarina Bulatović were crucial in achieving these successes, though Bojana Popović did not play at EURO, since she decided to finish her playing career after London.

As the jury was unable to choose between the two players, believing that it would be unfair to give a reward only to one of them, it was decided to award both Bojana and Kaća as the best athletes of Montenegro in 2012.

Bojana Popović, one of best players in women’s handball in the past 10 years, and perhaps of all time, is a six times Women’s EHF Champions League winner, this year winning the title in the uniform of Budućnost and the silver medal at the Olympic Games in London, as second top scorer (46 goals) and top in assists at the Olympic tournament.

"It really feels good when people recognize that someone is doing something right, which brings results and is representing the country in the right way.

“That’s why I'm happy for this award. I think that this year handball ruled in Montenegro, and all this is crowned in a nice way.

“We won a lot of trophies, and achieved a lot, not just in terms of results, but we created a brand that will be transmitted from generation to generation, and will last longer than everyone thought.

“Though small, Montenegro has potential, handball has been the most popular sport here for a long time. People and kids simply love the sport," Bojana Popović said.

Katarina Bulatović is also a Women’s EHF Champion League winner with Budućnost (in the summer she transferred to Oltchim RM. Valcea), silver medalist in London, where she was chosen in the All-star team for the handball tournament, where she was top scorer with 53 goals.

Last week, Katarina and Montenegro won the EHF EURO 2012 title, and again she was the top scorer of the championship with 56 goals and second in assists. She was chosen in All-star team as the best right back.

"Certainly, I am very pleased with this recognition, which means a lot to me.

“It encompasses the year in the best possible way. I'm really glad that I have shared the award with Bojana,” Katarina Bulatović stated.

Bojana Popović and Katarina Bulatović will receive the award at the gala ceremony which will take place on 21 December in Villa Gorica in Podgorica.

Bojana Popović and Katarina Bulatović are also in competition for the World player of the year.