Sport
19 March 2019 - Budućnost Voli’s 19-year-old centre Goga Bitadze was voted the best young player of the 2019-19 ABA League campaign. He claimed the title in front of Crvena Zvezda‘s 20-year-old Boriša Simanić and Petrol Olimpija’s 19-year-old Luka Samanić.
Bitadze averaged 16.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, two blocks and 20 PIR per game, which was also the third-highest rating amongst all players this season. He played the first part of the season with Mega Bemax before being loaned to the Montenegrin club.
Young Goga Bitadze of Budućnost VOLI is the best young player of the season in the ABA League, has won this title in the voting contest of the head coaches of ABA League teams, ABA League fans and the ABA League commission.
The excellent centre of the Podgorica side, who began the season with Mega Bemax has finished the voting with a total of 42% combined votes, ahead of Boriša Simanić of Crvena Zvezda mts, who had 24% and Luka Šamanić of Petrol Olimpija, who finished the voting with 15,5% of combined votes.
To determine the final results of the votes, the votes of the ABA League head coaches counted 60%, the votes of the fans 30% and the votes of the ABA League Commission 10%.
Let’s also mention that Goga Bitadze was the best in the voting of both fans and head coaches of the ABA League sides, which makes his achievement even more impressive. He also got the vote of the ABA League commission.
For Goga Bitadze this has been the second season in the ABA League and first with Budućnost VOLI, and it has for sure been the one in which he gained full affirmation, as he became the undisputed leader of both of his squads, for which he played this season. The 19-year old was averaging 16.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, two blocks, 0.9 assists and a valuation of 20 per game, which is also the third highest valuation amongst all players this season in the ABA League. Therefore, we can conclude that he has earned himself the Top Prospect title.
Source: EuroHoops
Montenegrin basketball national coach Zvezdan Mitrovic said that in the preparations for the World Cup, he would think about his team and the game, and only later about their rivals.
"The Red" will play against Greece, Brazil, and New Zealand in Group F.
"We will focus only on ourselves. We are interested in what condition our guys will arrive to the preparations, whether they will all be in the perfect shape. We will think about us and our game, and later about our rivals," Mitrovic said.
Greece is the favorite in the group.
"I said before the draw that apart from the Americans there is not much difference from the strongest hat. If Giannis Antetokounmpo is playing, the Greeks will certainly be the main medal candidates. However, in the competition of Serbia that could happen to us, they are still a better choice, under the condition that Antetokounmpo will not play. A lot will depend on the composition, certainly, the Greeks are a team with great potential and experience, but they are very much dependent on the motivation. During some championships they are excellent, and in the next one, they can completely fail," Mitrovic said.
Brazil is a traditional force from South America
"Brazil is an attractive opponent, in any case, we will see what their composition will be. We know good players in the NBA league and Europe, but we will see who they will invite and who will come from the domestic championship," Mitrovic said.
And New Zealand has a great tradition
"New Zealand is certainly a good team; it's definitely not the one we will easily win," he said. "What I know is that they always play extremely hard. What they show at continental championships can be very interesting, "Mitrovic concluded.
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Text by Vijesti sport, on March 16th, 2019, read more at Vijesti
Buducnost Voli won against Cibona in the last round of the ABA League at Moraca with 91:82 (26:21, 19:24, 21:23, 25:14). The "Blue" finished the regular part of the ABA league in the third place, with the same result as a second-ranked Cedevita, which was better in mutual meetings.
To defend the title, Buducnost will play the semifinals against Cedevita. The first leg will be played in Zagreb on March 25th.
The match against Cibona did not have a competitive character, and the guests had a 13-point advantage during the third quarter. However, domestic players used this opportunity for a routine victory.
Goga Bitadze was the most effective with 24 points, while 15 were added by Earl Clark. For the guests, Ljubicic scored 17 points.
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Text by Slavisa Zivaljevic, on March 17th, 2019, read more at Vijesti
15 March 2019 - Montenegrin Ministry of Internal Affairs is working on the establishment of an electronic database of sports fan groups from the country and the region. This database will serve for general sports fan groups monitoring, information exchange with public services and special monitoring of perpetrators of criminal offenses at sports events.
This project is being implemented following the Law on the Prevention of Violence and Misbehavior at Sports Events.
Establishment of this database will allow the Ministry of Internal Affairs to keep records on all perpetrators of criminal offenses at sports events, which will increase the general safety of the public.
Dossier files on sports fan groups are almost complete and already accessible to the General Police Department (Department for Public Order and Peace), as well as to all police stations, security centers and security departments.
"This project will further improve the prevention of violence and misbehavior at sports events," the representatives of Montenegrin Ministry of Interior explained within their report on the implementation of the Law on Public Gatherings and Public Events in the past year.
The report also states that the Law on Public Gatherings respects basic human rights and that the representatives of the Montenegrin police fully respected its provisions. "It is the duty of the state not to interfere with the fundamental freedoms of the people and to protect and facilitate all individuals’ right to peaceful assembly," the report said.
The report also noted that during the implementation of the Law on Public Gatherings, special attention was given to the principle of proportionality. This principle implies that all interferences with rights must be proportionate to the legitimate aim pursued, as prescribed by the European Convention on Human Rights.
"The implementation of the Law on Public Gatherings and Public Events promoted freedom of assembly. Gatherings were limited only to the extent necessary to protect public security, protecting the rights, freedoms and health of other persons," the Ministry of Internal Affairs explained.
The Ministry was also successful at implementing the standards of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.
"Based on the data on held public gatherings and public events in 2018, and considering that they have passed without violating law and order, it can be concluded that the police officers acted by the law while providing security," says the MIA's report.
14 March 2019 - Kirolbet Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz recorded its third consecutive win and got closer to clinching a playoffs spot by winning against Budućnost VOLI Podgorica 82-62 at Fernando Buesa Arena on Friday.
Baskonia improved to 14-12 in the standings and ranks 6th overall, while Budućnost dropped to 6-20 and is 15th. Patricio Garino led the winners with 16 points. Marcelinho Huertas added 13, Shavon Shields had 12 while Vincent Poirier pulled down 13 rebounds for Baskonia. Norris Cole had 17 points to lead Budućnost and Earl Clark added 13. Baskonia led 23-15 after 10 minutes and kept a 39-34 edge at half-time. Garino took over late in the third quarter and early in the fourth period, as Baskonia boosted its margin to 71-49 and never looked back.
Clark and Cole gave Budućnost a 0-4 lead. Johannes Voigtmann and Shields stepped up for Baskonia, but Goga Bitadze and Cole kept Budućnost in charge. Poirier hit a jump hook, and Luca Vildoza made a triple before Cole scored twice in penetration. Huertas found Voigtmann for a wild alley-oop and Darrun Hilliard added a layup for a 23-15 Baskonia margin after 10 minutes. Shields took over with an alley-oop dunk and free throws by Jalen Jones capped a 14-0 Baskonia run, good for a 27-15 score early in the second quarter. Coty Clarke and Nemanja Gordić tried to change things for the guests, but Huertas and Hilliard restored a double-digit Baskonia lead. A three-pointer by Cole and baskets from Clarke and Bitadze made it a three-point game, but Shields and Garino stepped up to boost Baskonia's margin, which Nemanja Gordić cut to 39-34 with a coast-to-coast layup right before the half-time buzzer. Garino, James Bell and Clark all struck from downtown soon after the break, before Garino hit another and a jumper by Vildoza boosted his team's lead to 50-42. Hilliard, Shields and Jones each hit one from beyond the arc, Huertas added a mid-range jumper and a tip-in by Poirier broke the game open, 64-47, after a 14-3 run. A driving layup by Clark fixed the score at 64-49 after 30 minutes. Garino sank another triple early in the fourth quarter and a layup by Poirier sealed the outcome, 71-49, with 9 minutes left. Nothing changed after that, and Baskonia fans had plenty of time to celebrate a big home win.
Both teams return to Turkish Airlines EuroLeague action early next week. Budućnost visits Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul on Tuesday, and a day later Baskonia plays against Panathinaikos OPAP Athens in the Greek capital for a pivotal showdown in the race for the playoffs.
Source: EuroLeague
“Day of Montenegro National Teams" was held at the main city square in Podgorica.
As announced by the Ministry of Sports and Youth, the manifestation began with the sports fair, and besides the Ministry of Sports and Youth, there were also the Montenegrin Olympic Committee (COK), the Paralympic Committee (POK) and some 20 other national sports federations.
The announcement states that the points of all sports organizations, where some of the promoters were Montenegrin representatives, were visited by the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Dusko Markovic and Minister of Sports and Youth Nikola Janovic.
"Given that this is the first year of celebrating the National Team, I am proud to say that I am very pleased with the number of citizens and children who came to this event. This manifestation, on the one hand, aims at strengthening the cult of representation, as well as to remind us about the results of our representation and players in the past years, because as a country with 600 thousand people, we are a sports phenomenon in the number of medals and achievements in sports. On the other hand, we want to tell our future athletes of what an honor and privilege it is to be able to defend the colors of the state and perform under the flag of our country," Janovic said.
In an interview with representatives of national sports federations, Markovic expressed full support for the policies of the Ministry of Sports and Youth and announced in the future a lot of financial assistance for the Montenegrin athletes,
Sports associations that entertained citizens in the central part of the city by presenting their activities are Athletic, Football, Basketball, Archery, Chess, Table Tennis and Gymnastics Association of Montenegro,
"The most important of all is that there are growing numbers of children who are engaged in sports and more and more young people who see their role models in today's sports heroes. That is why I believe that in the right way we will build a healthier and happier future for our children," Janovic said.
He thanked all athletes for everything they did for Montenegro.
In the photo gallery of the reporter "Vijesti" Luka Zekovic, you can see how it was at the Independence Square in Podgorica.
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Text by Vijesti online, on March 10th 2019, read more at Vijesti
08 March 2019 - Olympiacos Piraeus ended a five-game losing streak on the road on Friday by beating Budućnost VOLI Podgorica 89-76 and improving to 13-12 on the season in the process. The victory moved the Reds up to seventh place in the standings as their playoff aspirations remain alive and kicking. Budućnost, on the other hand, lost its fifth in a row to drop to 6-19 on the season with the defeat.
Olympiacos had five double-digit scorers, including an impressive display from Nikola Milutinov, who posted 15 points and 12 rebounds. Georgios Printezis led all scorers with 19 points while Axel Toupane added 13, Sasha Vezenkov and Nigel Williams-Goss 12 apiece.
For Budućnost, Edwin Jackson and Filip Barović downed 13 points each while Norris Cole finished with 10 points and five assists. Olympiacos started strong and let the hosts lead only once, at 16-15 of the first quarter, and would eventually lead by a high of 24 points, 39-63, in the third quarter to win going away.
Olympiacos exploded out of the blocks and led 0-6 early. The Reds would continue their focused start with a three from Kostas Papanikolaou before extending their lead to 11 points at 4-15. Budućnost responded with a 12-0 run off a timeout to get back in the game and take its first lead at 16-15. Olympiacos finished strong though, and at the end of that first quarter, it was 21-27.
The visitors extended their lead to 21-34 to open the second behind 5 points from Vezenkov. Edwin Jackson landed a three followed by a mid-range jumper as Budućnost continued to chase Olympiacos. Vangelis Mantzaris drained a three to give Olympiacos a 33-42 lead midway through the second quarter. Milutinov was up to 10 points by then and kept adding pressure inside for the visitors who pulled into halftime with a lead of 17 points, 34-51.
Olympiacos grew the difference early in the third quarter thanks to another five-point spurt by Vezenkov on a triple and free throw. The lead would increase to 24 in the middle of the quarter, 39-63, as Budućnost's hopes faded. Suad Šehović scored 5 in a row for the hosts to reduce the deficit to 21 and the deficit would soon be whittled down to 16. But Olympiacos finished strong and would carry a 54-73 lead into the final quarter. The two sides exchanged scores to start the fourth, but Olympiacos had done enough in the three previous periods not to have to worry. Budućnost did manage to get the lead down to 12 points with an 8-0 run late in the game, but time was running out, and that's as close as it would get with the visitors winning 76-89 in the end.
Milutinov finished with 15 points and 12 boards as Budućnost missed their rising star, Goga Bitadze, to challenge him in the paint. Bitadze suffered an injury the night before the game and was ruled out after a game-time decision.
Olympiacos will travel to Italy next to face Armani Exchange Olimpia Milan in Round 26, while Budućnost goes to play KIROLBET Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz in Spain.
Source: EuroLeague
The main city square in Podgorica will be in the colors of Montenegro on Sunday, March 10th.
"As the Law on Sports stipulates, the National Team of Montenegro will be celebrated on March 10th, and the Ministry of Sports and Youth organized a program at the Main Square on that day. The celebration of the "National Team Day" event begins with the organization of the sports fair, which will be held on Sunday, March 10th, 2019, from 11 am to 4 pm at the Independence Square in Podgorica," the Ministry said in a statement, adding:
"Promotional points at the sports fair, with the Ministry of Sports and Youth, will also have the following sports organizations: Montenegrin Olympic Committee, Paralympic Committee, Bowling (Boce) Association, Athletic Association, Basketball Federation, Boxing Federation, Montenegrin Ski Association, Football Association, Gymnastics Federation, Jitsu Alliance, Karate Federation, Kick Boxing Federation, Volleyball Federation, Hiking Federation, Handball Federation, Chess Federation, Shooting Association, Student Sports Federation, Taekwondo Federation, Table Tennis Association, Tennis Association and Water Polo and Swimming Federation.
Also, Montenegrin representatives will be present who, through direct communication with citizens and children, will bring the importance and advantages of dealing with sports closer with the aim of strengthening and improving the cult of the Montenegrin national team. The sports associations that will present their activities in the central part of the Square are the Shooting Federation, Athletic Federation, Table Tennis Association, Gymnastics Federation, Football Association, Basketball Federation, Chess Federation of Montenegro, while presentations in front of their promo points will have other organizations.
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Text by CdM, on March 7th 2019, read more at CdM
Montenegrin athletes for the fourth time will participate in the World Summer Special Olympic Games, which will be held in Abu Dhabi from March 8th to March 22nd.
At these World Summer Games SOI, 7,500 athletes, over 3,000 members of national delegations and over 20,000 volunteers, will participate, which will be the largest Olympic Games organized so far.
Our delegation will consist of 22 members, out of which 19 will take part in sports competitions and the remaining 3 members will represent our country at the World Youth Forum organized during the WSG.
Our athletes will compete in 3 sports: athletics, table tennis and bowling. For the first time, we will participate in Unified competitions (inclusive sports) in which our athletes, together with their partners, will try to reach medals.
In the athletics, our athletes will compete in races of 100 and 200 meters as well as in discus throw. In table tennis, Montenegro will compete in the disciplines male singles, female singles, mixed doubles and unified doubles. In bowling, they will participate in the disciplines of male singles, female singles, mixed teams and the unified team.
"After more intensive preparatory training in the last six months, we hope that our athletes, as before, will make excellent results and will again rejoice with medals," stated the Special Olympics of Montenegro.
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Text by CdM, on March 6th 2019, read more at CdM
Dino Radoncic, the youngest Montenegrin basketball player, in an interview for the official FIBA League of Champions website, said that it was "a special feeling" being able to celebrate the placement in the World Cup.
"It was the most beautiful and happiest in my career. Latvia is a big team, and they arrived in Podgorica with five players from the Euro league. I think we did an extraordinary job by preventing them to win with more than eight points. It was a tough game, we went through difficult moments, but in the end – the placement to the World Cup is to be remembered," said Radoncic.
Although he is only 20, the player of Real, on loan to Murcia, is already a member of the Montenegrin selection for two and a half years.
He debuted on August 31st, 2016, against Slovakia in the qualifications for the EuroBasket. He was also a member of the national team at the European Championship 2017.
"It was an incredible experience to play against Spain. A special memory for me will remain that I played against Pau Gasol. At the end of the match, I even wanted to ask him for an autograph, but we lost with 39 points of difference, so it was not the best moment," he said.
He reiterated that the selection of the national team for which he would play was easy. He could play for Germany, where he was born, Spain, where he spent almost his entire career, or Serbia, the country his mother is from.
"The choice was easy. Montenegro is the land of my family, it's my blood, my roots. I liked the fact that Montenegro was ready to include such a young man in the project," said Radoncic.
In the future, he wants to participate even more in the achievements of the Montenegrin team.
"It's an honor to be able to contribute to the fact that Montenegro is going to the World Cup. It is a big deal. As for me personally, I always want more and I'm sure that in the coming period I will be much more useful to the national team," said the basketball player of Murcia.
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Text by Vijesti sport, on March 6th 2019, read more at Vijesti
02 March 2019 - Representatives of the Government of Montenegro recently hosted President of the European Handball Federation (EHF) Michael Wiederer for talks on the 2022 European Women's Handball Championship, which will take place in three countries - Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Slovenia.
The representatives of the Government of Montenegro stated that further development of sports is among the strategic policies of the Government, together with the affirmation of top athletes and their results, as well as the improvement of sports infrastructure throughout the country.
It was concluded that Montenegro, as part of further support for sports and state promotion, has taken adequate steps to sponsor this competition with the valuable support of the European Handball Federation.
In that context, the meeting also discussed the need to build a multifunctional sports hall in the Capital City of Podgorica, which would serve other purposes as well. Both sides agreed that the new facility would be an important link in further affirmation of sports, but also an important additional content in the tourist offer of Montenegro and the Capital City.
The meeting was also attended by Minister of Sports and Youth Nikola Janović, Vice President of the European Handball Federation Predrag Bošković and President of the Handball Federation of Montenegro Petar Kapisoda.
Recently, the biggest Montenegrin club, the Women's Handball Club Budućnost, celebrated the Jubilee - 70 years of existence in the Montenegrin National Theater.
Seven decades were presented through a documentary by Blagota Marunović and the Center for Multimedia Production (CEZAM), in which their stories about Budućnost were told by the former presidents Miško Kalezić, Rade Đurđić, Budimir Stanišić and Predrag Bošković, famous coach and sports director Nikola Petrović, legends of this sport Maja Bulatović and Bojana Popović, current head of the expert staff Dragan Adžić and well-known senior fans - Zef-Bato Dedivanović and Husein-Ceno Tuzović.
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