OTP Group Budućnost Prepares for New Season with New Captain

The women’s handball team OTP Group Budućnost has officially begun preparations for the upcoming season, set to open on the first weekend in September with the prestigious Liga šampiona. This will mark the 30th appearance for the highly successful Montenegrin club in this elite competition.

Changes in the team lineup have been minimal compared to last season, with three new signings joining the squad. Among them is Itana Grbić, a Montenegrin international who will assume the role of captain. Joining her are Polish player Dagmara Nocunj, who will play as a left winger, and Senegalese athlete Ava Ndiaj, who will fill the pivot position.

At the first training session held in Podgorica, head coach Bojana Popović had a total of 16 players at her disposal. It is anticipated that Elena Mitrović and Anđela Guberinić will join the team after the conclusion of the European Championship for players under 19.

In terms of player fitness, right back Tanja Ivanović is returning to training after a break due to back issues. Meanwhile, middle back Nina Ramusović will follow a special program as she recovers from her anterior cruciate ligament surgery.

The team plans to conduct the initial part of their preparations in Pljevlja for ten days, starting this Wednesday. Coach Popović expressed confidence in the team’s readiness, stating, “We have almost two months until the start of the new season in the Liga šampiona, giving us enough time to prepare for what awaits us from the first weekend in September. The changes in our squad have been minimal, except for the left winger and pivot positions, while Itana Grbić is expected to be our biggest reinforcement and team leader.”

Following their time in Pljevlja, the team will travel to Zagreb for further training and a friendly match against Lokomotiva. Subsequently, they will compete against Turinger in Germany. The preparations will culminate in a tournament in Skopje, where they will face champions from North Macedonia and Serbia, just before the Liga šampiona begins.

Popović highlighted the importance of keeping all players healthy during training. She noted, “The return of those who have been on hiatus due to injuries will provide us with the opportunity for quality training. We also have a favorable schedule in the Liga šampiona, starting with a home game against Debrecin, which will allow more time for recovery and preparation for subsequent matches following taxing travel.”

The OTP Group Budućnost roster for the 2025/26 season will include goalkeepers Armel Atingre, Marija Marsenić, and Andrea Škerović. The squad will also feature left wingers Dagmara Nocunj and Nađa Kadović, right wingers Nina Bulatović and Dunja Radević, pivots Ivana Godeč, Anđela Guberinić, and Ava Ndiaj, left backs Jelena Radivojević and Nina Ramusović, middle backs Itana Grbić, Mari Plamenova Tomova, Nikolina Marković, and Elena Mitrović, and right backs Tanja Ivanović and Jelena Vukčević.

Supporting the coaching staff are assistant coach Maja Savić, goalkeeping coach Novak Ristović, and fitness coach Milivoje Đurđić. As the team embarks on this new chapter, the focus remains on building a cohesive unit ready to compete at the highest level.