15 July, 2019 -The regatta "Arsenal Cup", organized by the Porto Montenegro Yachting Club, was held on the July 13th holiday and gathered 22 boats which sailed within the Tivat Bay Aquatorium, all the way to two islands - St. George's (Sveti Djordje) and Our Lady of the Rock (Gospa od Škrpjel)a, which were included in the regatta field. The overall winner of the eighth edition of this very popular regatta is the sailboat Sinji Galeb from the club JK Delfin, and the skipper Frano Tripović. The second place was won by the Selen club PMYC under the leadership of Tony Browne, and the third place of the Arsenal Cup,

"In the j70 class, all eight sailing boats of the PMYC fleet, and Ilija Markovic from JK Delfin showed great performance - we look forward to the fact that his team is more and more involved in this class," said Jenny Putock, a yachting club manager at Porto Montenegro. After him, Alexey Samoilov from Ukraine, a very experienced skipper and instructor, arrived in this class. Another PMYC sailor Luka Radonic was third. It was a pleasure to see our regular participants, Miroslav Orlov and his family, who won the first place in the class of the ocher bar and Branko Krstovic, who won the second place," Puttock said.

In class 4, Nikola Zecevic led the sailboat Regina 2, followed by Matija Rasovic from JK Jugola Grakalic and the third was Niko Vuksanovic. In class 5, two sailboats sailed - the first place was won by JK Delfin Frano Tripović in the Sailing Gull - he was the fastest in the overall regatta. Second place was won by Dejan Golub from JK Lahor in the Amaya sailing boat.

In class 8, there are also two sailing boats - first prize went to Denis Aksenov in the Ferdinand sailing boat, Ivan Shabalitov in Samba was the second.

In class 8, Porto Montenegro Marina director Tony Browne also participated and positioned himself in the second place of the overall regatta. After him, in class 8 was the Hanse sailing boat with skipper Vadim Volotskoy, who was the third in the regatta. Third place in this class was Modus Vivendi, from JK Latin core from Bar with skipper Dragan Lekic. Porto Montenegro Yachting Club thanks all the participants, both locals and tourists, for a great regatta, and interest in this local fiesta, as well as the referees Filip Petrovic and Radivoje Popovic.

Getting to know yourself and the mountain, finding peace in the chaos of everyday life and an inexpressible feeling of freedom - are just some of how the racers describe this sport.

It is running on the "wild" paths, and in the case of Kolasin, as the fans in that city explain, that is to run through one of the last rainforests in Europe, cast a glance from the most beautiful Bjelasica’s gazebos, pass through the centuries-old katun, refresh with the water from the spring of Biograd’s river, and more.

In northern Montenegro, they say that it was not necessary that the “west” show them the benefits of the trail, but that it is "the lifestyle of their ancestors".

One of the more popular sports in the world, which, according to some estimates, has about 1.5 million fans, from August, through the marathon "Bjelasica ultra trail", will become an official part of the tourist offer in Kolasin.

Trail running (Photo: Private archive)

But, much earlier, Nebojsa Cetkovic, one of the organizers of the event and a participant of the big European marathons on paved paths, discovered the magic of running "using the field’s variations".

"It means preparing for a much more challenging trail. There are many uphill, stony, trails covered with grass, soil, gravel. The feeling under your feet is special. It takes a lot more effort and time. Muscles should be left to get used to it. I admit, muscle pains, even if you are an experienced athlete, cannot bypass you in the beginning."

Nebojsa and some other mountain run enthusiasts in Kolasin cannot precisely explain why they call the trail - "singanje". Only that name has become familiar, so they consider it to explain the multiple advantages and pleasures that bring them the official running track.

Trail running (Photo: Private archive)

"I'm still trying to explain “singanje”, and I have an added meaning every day. I believe that, similarly, the poets tried to explain for centuries the moment when they became one with nature. This, among other things, means freedom, love, health and the creation of a feeling of excitement. Is this not enough in the times of today? I'm not exaggerating, try it," says Nebojsa who decided to return to the sport a few years ago.

The return meant much more to him than others who decided to live healthily. It also allowed him to correct mistakes, but also to educate others.

Trail running (Photo: Private archive)

He started his personal "new beginning" with the NGO "A New Beginning".

Now through this organization, through various activities, he teaches others about the importance of leaving the comforts of your room and cafe.

"Bjelasica ultra trail" is the first major project of this NGO.

"I related to this kind of running as a boy, while I was walking with Boban Dzim Brkovic on all the forest tracks around Kolasin. The unusual beauty of my city's surroundings and the emotions that followed them made me grow into a new person and helped me later in the temptations of everyday life."

He explains poetically that running through the wilderness can teach you, among other things, "how to be silent before nature, how the paths of reason and imagination can be crossed and how to conquer the peaks that you only imagine as children."

Nebojsa and his associates are planning to show the tourism potential of Bjelasica to the participants of the mountain marathon.

"Attractive beyond the world" is the motto of the manifestation, and he claims that the justification of the attraction inside and around will find all those who, from August 16 to 18, when the "Bjelasica ultra trail" is taking place, start one of three races.

On the first two professional trail runners will be able to earn three, or two International Trail Running Associations (ITRA) points.

The "Big Bear" race is 58 kilometers long and runs from the city center to Biograd’s Lake, through katun Vranjak, along Sisko Lake and back to the city.

The second - "Small Bear" 37 kilometers long, will begin on Donji square, then through Melaja, katun Vranjak, Bikovaca and back to Kolasin.

The "Family trail" is the least demanding, and the participants will start from the city through Dulovina and Sljivovica.

Necessary special equipment

For anyone who enters the trail adventure, it is necessary to be well equipped considering the complexity of sports and terrain.

On sites dedicated to fans of this sport, they recommend that you "have as little clothes as possible, but it needs to be functional."

They recommend dry fit T-shirts and shorts/tights and compression socks. A backpack and a rain-coat are also necessary.

It is imperative to protect your head with a cap, a scarf, a visor, a tape or a cap, and wear sunglasses. Trail runners also use sticks. Since the mountain sometimes can be rough, it is smart to run with company.

The most important thing, of course, is the choice of shoes. Special sneakers are used for the track, adjusted to the environment. They need to be deeper and harder, have a thicker sole, are light and waterproof.

Text by Dragana Scepanovic, on July 14th 2019, read more at Vijesti

10 July 2019 - The 38th Herceg Novi Swimming Marathon "Memorial Mario-Dido Marić" manifestation will be held on Saturday, July 27th, when a number of athletes, recreational sportspeople and citizens of Herceg Novi will swim 2500 meters from Njivice to Škver.

The right to participate in the swimming marathon is open to all those who are interested in taking a compulsory medical examination two hours before the race, as well as submitting official documentation forms which are available on spot, as reported Radio Jadran.

On the day of the race at 3.30 PM, the transport of swimmers from Škver to Njivice will be organized, after which the competitors' reports and medical examination will be made on the beach of the hotel "Iberostar Herceg Novi". The marathon starts at 6 PM when the participants will head to a 2,5 kilometer long target, a beach "White Fairy" on Škver (Boka Beach).

The limited time of swimming in the race is set to an hour and thirty minutes, while at 8 PM the competition in the rope pulling for the main prize, ham, will be organized.

For all of those who arrive at the destination, diplomas and souvenirs, sandwiches and juices are provided, while the winners will take money prize, cups and medals. For the first place in the women's and men's competitions, the prize is the cup, medal, and 150 EUR, for the second place of it is a medal and 100 EUR, and for the third place, a medal and 50 EUR. Special gifts are provided for both the oldest and the youngest participants of the race.

Read more about sports in Montenegro at TMN's dedicated page.

Sutjeska has a perfect result before the rematch against Slovan in Bratislava in the first round of qualifications for the Champions League (1:1).

The host took the advantage in the 82^nd minute with a goal by Andraž Šporar, and Damir Kojasevic had a clutch point for the Montenegrin champion from a 25-meters distance in the 95^th minute.

They had enough calmness, quality, tactical maturity, and most of all luck (like Moha's great chance in the 1^st minute) to lead the match in the rhythm that suited them.

The rematch is scheduled in seven days in Nikšić, in which Sutjeska has the chance to complete the European wonder and become the first Montenegrin team to qualify for the 2nd round of qualifications for the Champions League.

Coach Nikola Rakojevic has already done European wonders, though as coach of Titograd, this would definitely be the greatest ever.

SLOVAN - SUTJESKA 1:1

Bratislava - National football stadium. Spectators: 11.250. Referee: Vitali Meškov (Russia). Goals: Šporar in the 82nd minute for Slovan, Kojašević in 90 + 5 minute for Sutjeska.

Yellow cards: Ljubicic (Slovan).

Slovan: Grejf, Apau, Bajrič, Božikov, Šukotski, Dražić, Ljubičić, Da Silva (64. De Kamps), Čavrić (64. De Kamps), Moha (77. Danijels), Šporar.

Sutjeska: Giljen, Ciger, Nedić, Šofranac, Bulatović, Eraković, Janković, Vučić (82. Osmajić), Ćetković, Kojašević, Marković (88. Božović).

Text by Vijesti sport, on July 10th, 2019, read more at Vijesti

Slobodan Subotic returned to Montenegro after more than 40 years.

Born in Herceg Novi, he was a young, great talent, who built his career in Olympia, later in Aris, and was also a coach, among other things, of the biggest Greek clubs.

Bokan and Subotic (Photo: Savo Prelevic)

"I come back to where I started, I played in Njegoševa park when I was 16-17 years and I know where I'm coming. Also, wherever I signed a contract, I came to a great result. I handle it, I live with it, I like that pressure. I do not have the goal to come and satisfy the average score or not go one step further. We have plans, desires and dreams. I can only promise that the players are going to fight until the end with all the forces, that they will know where they came and what is expected from them," Subotic said. 

He watched Buducnost last season.

"I know the players from TV, not the training. Some talents can have a big career, but let's see. You will not hear great words from me. I like to work, and I love warrior teams. If we lose by 20, but we kill ourselves on the field, nobody will miss it. I count on the support of the fans, but I know we will get it if we deserve it," Subotic said. Buducnost brought two players, Meyers and Martin, and is still looking for two more.

Subotic (Photo: Savo Prelevic)

"We are looking for all positions now - and I am fond of the players who can play in two positions particularly. Now the players' prices are sky high, that's not normal, but we have to be patient. We are scouting, Petar Mijovic does a great job, we talk to coaches from Europe, and we will not bring players who will not be here with their hearts," Subotic said. He emphasized that he has a great desire to give a chance to young players. "The same happened in Panathinaikos with Focis, and Panionios Papalukas. They didn’t get a chance only because they were young, but because they deserved it," Subotic said.

Text by Vijesti spot, on July 8th, 2019, read more at Vijesti

To win the placement in the round of 16 at the European Championships in Latvia and Serbia, Montenegro must beat the Czech Republic by at least 12 points.  That is, if France justifies their role as the favorite against Sweden. If, however, Sweden wins, then Montenegro would pass even with the minimum score against the Czech Republic.

"It's not easy, it's very specific when you do not start a match with 0:0, but you know that the rival leads 12:0. But nothing is impossible, and we really believe in it. We will do our best to win and then we will think about those 12 points which we need to go further," said Jovana Pasic. The rejuvenated selection from the bench is led by debutant coach Jelena Skerovic who has experienced two defeats in the first two rounds of the group, to Sweden (67:51) and France (88:53).

"We tried as the selector asked us to forget this match with France as soon as possible. It was a tough and an ultimately unrealistic result, to which we naturally contributed. Of course, now our thoughts are completely focused on the Czech Republic, we began preparations and with good training we want to be ready for that duel. We have to give everything we have because there is no other way to success. The team is all right, we only think of giving our maximum in the game tomorrow," said Pasic before the duel in Riga.

"The Czechs have shown against Sweden what kind of national team they are, even without some important basketball players who are not at this European Championship. I also believe that if we get together and finally show what we have been doing these 50 days of preparations, we can play against them," concluded Jovana Pasic.

Text by Sasa Joncic, on June 30th 2019, read more at Vijesti

The Montenegrin women's basketball team begins their European Championship.

The 'Reds' will open their fifth appearance at the Eurobasket against Sweden in Riga.

Sweden is not strong in basketball, though they've progressed year after year, and in 2013, they played in the quarterfinals.

"Sweden is an experienced team, many players play in strong leagues, but I think we are well prepared and it will depend very much on us and our game. We need to meet the demands and fight in the right way," says Milica Jovanovic before the first match. Compared to the last European championship, Montenegro has changed its composition and only three players are on the team that played against Sweden six years ago, which they won 69:58. In addition to Milica Jovanovic, the national team jersey was then worn by Snezana Aleksic and Natasa Popovic.

"They have the Eldebrink sisters who've played for many years in the European league and are very experienced, and in other positions, they have tall basketball players, so I think we can fight against them with our game. They have a lot of girls playing at college who then go back to Sweden. It is imperative that we play smart, together, and give our maximum," says Jovanovic.

On the court against Sweden was Jelena Skerovic, who is now awaiting a different role. She will, for the first time, lead our girls from the bench at the Eurobasket. 

"A lot is different now, it seems to me that it is much easier to play than to be on the side without being able to enter the court and help in something. This is what it all comes down to, the moments when I can contribute as a coach, but I'm happy so far with the way we started, and I believe that everything will go well," says the coach before the first duel.

Montenegro also has the Czech Republic and France in their group.

Text by Vijesti sport, on June 26th, 2019, read more at Vijesti