The 2025/2026 Montenegrin volleyball season didn`t just begin; it exploded into action with a Super Cup final so dramatic, it required a rerun. Originally paused due to an uncooperative leaking roof at SC Topolica, the men’s Super Cup clash between titans Budućnost and Budva found its proper stage at the Verde Sports Complex in Podgorica. What followed was not just a match, but a five-set saga that immediately set a high bar for the season to come.
From the very first serve, it was evident this wasn`t going to be a straightforward affair. Both teams traded blows with the precision of seasoned duelists. Budućnost, displaying an early grasp of the moment, managed to edge out the first set 25-22. It was a statement of intent, suggesting that perhaps the rescheduled fixture had only intensified their resolve.
However, the true test of nerve arrived in the second set. Budva, refusing to be outdone, stormed ahead, establishing a commanding 19-14 lead, seemingly with one hand already on the set. Yet, what makes champions isn`t just their dominance, but their ability to conjure victory from the jaws of defeat. Budućnost orchestrated a stunning comeback, a masterclass in shifting momentum. The introduction of young setter Milošević proved to be a stroke of tactical genius, injecting fresh rhythm and enabling a flurry of exceptional attacks. The Podgorica side snatched the set 25-23, taking a formidable 2-0 lead and leaving their opponents, and indeed the spectators, quite flummoxed.
Any thoughts of an easy victory for Budućnost were quickly dispelled. Budva, reigning champions, responded with the kind of ferocity expected of their title. The third set became a one-sided affair, with Luka Babić unleashing a serving run that decimated Budućnost’s defense, creating a double-digit lead of 16-6 before effortlessly closing it out 25-13. The message was clear: this match was far from over.
The fourth set began with Budućnost attempting to regain control, racing to a 7-2 advantage. But Budva, with Babić once again providing crucial serves, mounted their own resurgence. They systematically chipped away at the lead, turning the tide and ultimately winning 25-20, leveling the match at two sets apiece. The atmosphere in the Verde Sports Complex crackled with anticipation; a deciding fifth set would determine the fate of the Super Cup.
In the high-stakes environment of a fifth set, composure and tactical execution are paramount. Budućnost demonstrated both. After the change of sides, they established a critical 9-6 lead. Their defense tightened, their attacks became more clinical, and their resolve unwavering. With a series of precise plays, they sealed the set 15-9, and with it, the Montenegrin Men’s Super Cup. It was a victory forged in resilience and strategic brilliance.
Individual brilliance shone throughout the encounter. For Budućnost, Aleksa Nikolić led the scoring charts with 15 points, while the young opposite Luka Lojić proved indispensable, tallying 14 points and rightfully earning the MVP award. Marko Vukašinović and Marko Sinđelić also contributed significantly with 12 points each, highlighting Budućnost’s depth. On the Budva side, Matija Ćinćur matched Lojić`s 14 points, supported by Vukašin Cimbaljević (12 points) and Vuk Stanojević (8 points), all battling valiantly until the final point.
The presentation of the trophy to Budućnost captain Jovan Delić by OSCG President Nikola Kažić marked not just the end of an extraordinary match, but the vibrant beginning of a new volleyball season. The gold medals, presented by OK Budućnost Director Zoran Vukčević and Capital City Secretary for Sports Darko Nikčević, symbolized a hard-fought triumph that will undoubtedly inject confidence into the Podgorica squad. This Super Cup final was more than a standalone event; it was a powerful opening statement, promising an exhilarating season of Montenegrin volleyball. It also served as a reminder that the women`s Super Cup had already seen its own changing of the guard, with Luka BAR dethroning the previously dominant OK HERCEG NOVI, suggesting a refreshing era of competition across the board.
