Buducnost Voli Secures Key Victory, Eyes Tough Challenges Ahead

In a significant match, Buducnost Voli triumphed over Cedevita Olimpija with a score of 83-72 in Ljubljana, marking their third consecutive victory. This win, part of their campaign in the ABA League and Eurocup, solidified their position at the top of Group B with an impressive record of 11 wins and 2 losses. The team now leads Crvena Zvezda by one victory and Cedevita Olimpija by two, setting the stage for a critical matchup against Zvezda on February 9, 2026, in Podgorica.

Buducnost’s recent success comes after a disappointing performance against Panionios in Athens. The latest victory against Cedevita Olimpija was not without its challenges. The home team maintained a lead for much of the game, even extending it to eight points during the third quarter. They last held the advantage at 72-70 with just over four minutes remaining. However, Buducnost rallied back with a 13-0 scoring run to secure the win.

Andrej Zakelj, head coach of Buducnost, emphasized the importance of the victory for the team’s confidence as they prepare for tougher matches ahead. “This is a crucial win for our self-belief, especially with the toughest games coming up,” he stated after the match.

Buducnost excelled in rebounding, dominating the boards with a total of 35 compared to Cedevita’s 22, including 11 offensive rebounds. Despite this, they did not convert enough second-chance points, scoring only 15 to Cedevita’s 12. The team also made a notable impact from beyond the arc, hitting nine three-pointers compared to Cedevita’s seven, yet their shooting percentage was slightly lower for two-point attempts.

Defensively, Buducnost made crucial stops in the final minutes, not allowing Cedevita to score any points. They effectively contained key players such as Aleksej Nikolic and Umoja Gibson, who were held to 11 and 6 points, respectively. Zakelj attributed this strategic success to the team’s energy and focus during critical moments, stating, “Without the right approach and energy, no tactic works.”

Looking ahead, Buducnost is set to face Besiktas in Istanbul, where the stakes will be high. Besiktas currently holds the second position in the group with an 11-4 record, while Buducnost sits third with a 9-5 record. The outcome of this match could greatly influence their chances for a direct path to the Eurocup quarter-finals.

Zakelj noted the ambition of Buducnost as a club, acknowledging that while their goals are high, they must also remain realistic about their current roster and budget constraints. “We are still fighting for second place in our Eurocup group, but we can also end up sixth. Everything is still open,” he explained. He reflected on how their performance this season is markedly better than last season at the same time, underscoring the team’s growth.

In a notable side story, the match in Ljubljana also featured a meeting between the two Montenegrin national team coaches. Zakelj, who is temporarily leading the national team, expressed satisfaction with the collaboration with Zvezdan Mitrovic, who will take over in July. “We have excellent communication, and I am committed to the national team during these two windows,” he said, highlighting the shared goals and cooperation between the two coaches.

As Zakelj marks 20 years in coaching, he continues to find success at Buducnost, where he has been for three seasons. His experience at SC Derby has established him as one of the top coaches in the region. While he is happy with his current position, he remains open to future opportunities in Slovenia. “I am a professional, and I know my job. Right now, I am focused on Buducnost. We are playing at a high level,” he affirmed, hinting at a desire to return to his roots in the future.

With high stakes ahead, Buducnost Voli aims to build on their recent success as they navigate through the challenging landscape of the Eurocup and ABA League.