Basketball players of Buducnost Voli without many chances against Dubai in Sarajevo (89:78) – one round before the end of the Admiralbet ABA League, it is clear that the Podgorica team will go from fourth place to the playoffs and that, like in Europe, they will face a clash with the Romanian team, according to Vijesti.me.
The round before the end of the league season is all known. The Buducnost Voli basketball team, from fourth place, behind three Euroleague teams, enters the Admiralbet ABA League playoffs, and their first rival will be Cluj – the team that crushed the “blue and whites” European dreams this season.
All this is known after the Montenegrin champion was defeated by Dubai in Sarajevo’s “Zetra” – 89:78. The Montenegrin champion now has one more defeat than the third-placed Red Star, and the Belgrade club is more successful in the head-to-head.
When only Euroleague teams are ahead, then fourth place is in a way expected – for anything more in the playoffs, Buducnost will need performances like the one against Partizan recently in “Morača”, when they also achieved their only victory this season against teams from the European elite.
To begin with, Andrej Žakelj’s men will have to “repay their debts” to Cluj, and just like in the Eurocup, they will now have home court advantage.
The first half was a series of games for both teams. The “blue and white” started poorly defending their rivals’ three-point shots, so Dubai went from a 12:0 lead at the end of the first and the beginning of the second to a 31:20 lead.
Buducnost’s response followed, and the Montenegrin champion’s series was started by Đorđije Jovanović with five consecutive points, and concluded with a three-pointer by Rašid Sulajmon for 32:31. Dubai was without a basket for almost five minutes at that moment.
When it seemed that Andrej Žakelj’s team had found the right rhythm, Džanan Musa put an end to Dubai’s new 14:0 run with two points, for the largest lead to date (47:34).
Podgorica’s team went into the break with a manageable 47:40 lead thanks to a three-pointer by Jogi Ferrell, but Dubai quickly created a new biggest lead – three-pointers by Mifiondu Kabengele and Musa, as well as two free throws by Aleksa Avramović, took the formal host to 68:50.
It was plus 21 (73:52), and Buducnost only managed to reduce the big lead to 87:76 in the final minutes.
Before the play-off matches with Budućnost and Cluj will also meet at the end of the league season in “Morača” – in a match that will not have any significance in terms of the result.
As of April 2026, Budućnost Voli continues to represent the fierce competitive spirit of Montenegro on the international stage. As a perennial contender in both the Adriatic (ABA) League and the BKT EuroCup, the club has built a reputation for defensive grit, tactical discipline, and an uncanny ability to discover and nurture world-class talent.
A History Defined by Resilience and Ambition
Founded in 1949, Budućnost’s true “Golden Era” began in the late 1990s, when the club became the dominant force in the Yugoslav League, winning three consecutive titles between 1999 and 2001. However, the most iconic moment in the club’s modern history remains the 2018 ABA League championship, a victory that secured their entry into the prestigious EuroLeague.
| Historical Milestone | Year | Significance |
| Foundation | 1949 | The birth of Montenegro’s premier basketball institution. |
| Yugoslav League Title | 1999 | The first of three consecutive national championships. |
| ABA League Champions | 2018 | Defeating Crvena Zvezda to become regional kings. |
| Voli Partnership | 2011 | Secured long-term financial stability and growth. |
The “Morača” Factor: Europe’s Most Intimidating Arena
Ask any EuroLeague or EuroCup veteran about the toughest places to play, and Podgorica will inevitably top the list. The Morača Sports Centre is more than just a venue; it is a cauldron. The club’s supporters, known as Varvari (The Barbarians), create an atmosphere that is as hostile for opponents as it is inspiring for the home side.
Under the current management in 2026, the club has invested heavily in the fan experience, modernizing the arena while ensuring that the raw, intimidating energy that defines the “Blue and White” remains intact.
Tactical Identity and the 2025–2026 Season
The current technical staff has implemented a philosophy based on high-intensity transition play and relentless physical defense. Budućnost has successfully integrated a mix of American imports with a strong core of local Montenegrin and regional Balkan players—a strategy that has kept them in the EuroCup playoffs for consecutive years.
Key strategic pillars for the 2026 squad:
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Aggressive Perimeter Press: Disrupting the opponent’s ball movement early in the shot clock.
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Paint Dominance: Utilizing physical “Big Men” to control the rebounding battle.
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The Home Advantage: Maintaining a win rate at Morača that remains among the highest in European basketball.
Beyond the Court: A Social Institution
Budućnost Voli’s impact extends far beyond the points on the scoreboard. Through its partnership with the Voli company, the club has funded numerous youth academies across Montenegro, ensuring that the “wandering” spirit of basketball remains accessible to children in even the most remote mountain villages.
The club’s youth system is currently one of the most productive in the Balkans, serving as a primary feeder for the Montenegrin national team and a stepping stone for players headed to the NBA or top-tier EuroLeague teams.
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