MATCH OF THE ROUND: Blue-and-White Battle in Podgorica - Budućnost VOLI vs. Spartak Office Shoes

2025/26 AdmiralBet ABA League Group B Round 1, Sunday, 5 October 2025:

BUDUĆNOST VOLI - SPARTAK OFFICE SHOES

Where? Morača Sports Center, Podgorica

When? 19:30

Story of the game: Round 1 of the 2025/26 AdmiralBet ABA League brings us a thrilling blue-and-white showdown in Podgorica, where Budućnost VOLI will host Spartak Office Shoes. Both sides left strong impressions last season and enter the new campaign with renewed ambition, having combined roster stability with key summer reinforcements.

For Budućnost VOLI, the early signs are already encouraging. Head coach Andrej Žakelj has once again built a team capable of competing on multiple fronts, and their recent win over London Lions in the BKT EuroCup confirmed that the chemistry between the new and returning players is clicking early. With experienced leaders and fresh offensive energy, the Podgorica side will look to capitalize on their good form and secure a confident start in front of the home crowd.

Spartak Office Shoes, meanwhile, are entering the season after a productive preseason period in which head coach Vladimir Jovanović worked on integrating several new faces into the lineup. The Subotica squad surprised many last year by reaching the Playoffs in their first-ever AdmiralBet ABA League campaign, and they now aim to prove that success was no coincidence. Keeping core players like Luka Cerovina and Stefan Momirov while adding new talents across positions should allow Spartak to remain a dangerous opponent for any team in the league.

Last season, both teams managed to pull off road victories in their head-to-head encounters - Spartak Office Shoes shocked Budućnost VOLI in Podgorica (78:75), before Budućnost VOLI responded with a win in Subotica (86:82). With that balance still fresh in memory, both sides will be highly motivated to open the new campaign with a statement performance.

Match-up in Focus: Rasheed Sulaimon vs. Luka Cerovina

One of the key duels of the night will be the battle between two proven scorers - Rasheed Sulaimon and Luka Cerovina.

Sulaimon remains one of Budućnost VOLI’s go-to players, bringing reliability, leadership, and offensive versatility to Žakelj’s system. His ability to shoot from distance and create scoring opportunities for teammates will once again make him a focal point of the Podgorica team’s attack.

Cerovina, on the other hand, continues to be Spartak Office Shoes’ steady presence and emotional leader. The tall swingman can impact the game in multiple ways — stretching the floor, attacking the rim, and using his size to defend multiple positions.

Head-to-head score in the regional league: In total 1:1; In Podgorica 0:1.