Lokomotiv Avia (Plovdiv) begins its participation in the European Challenge Cup today with an away match against Budva – eight-time consecutive champion of Montenegro, which in the summer attracted the Olympic champion with Russia from London 2012, Alexander Butko.
The match is at 7:00 PM Bulgarian time in the Mediterranean Sports Center in Budva, and the return leg is scheduled for November 18 in Plovdiv.
The Montenegrin club is relatively young but has already established itself as a dominant force in the local championship. Founded in 2018, Budva has won eight consecutive championship titles, and last season also achieved a double, triumphing with the Montenegrin Cup.
The last title, however, came after a serious battle. In the final series, Budva defeated Budućnost (Podgorica) with 3:2 victories, with the decisive fifth match on May 3 ending 3:1 (25:18, 18:25, 25:22, 25:14).
Olympic champion is Budva's big star
The most famous name in the Montenegrin champion's squad is undoubtedly Alexander Butko. The Russian setter, who turned 40 in March, was part of the Russian national team that won the Olympic title in London in 2012.
Butko has an impressive club career, including two Champions League titles. His transfer to Budva at the end of May was described by local media as one of the most significant transfers in the history of Montenegrin club volleyball.
In an interview for the Montenegrin Volleyball Federation, published on October 31, Butko explains that one of his goals is to pass on his accumulated experience to younger players.
The Russian also reveals that he knows Montenegro well, as he has visited the country numerous times with his family.
High block and international squad
Budva has several players with impressive physical attributes. Among the middle blockers are Luka Babić (211 cm), Gojko Ćuk (209 cm), and Alan Čaušević (208 cm).
In attack, the Montenegrins rely on the Spanish opposite Augusto Colito, as well as local outside hitters Balša Radunović and Vukašin Cimbaljević.
The combination of tall middle blockers and the experienced Butko gives Budva the opportunity to actively use play through the middle.
The team is led by Miloš Marković, who returned in the summer as head coach of the men's team after three years of working with the club's women's team.
This season, Budva's ambitions are not limited to the domestic championship. The club also participates in the regional MEVZA league, and European tournaments are among its main priorities.
The Montenegrins expect a difficult match with Lokomotiv Avia
On the eve of the match, experienced middle blocker Gojko Ćuk commented to Montenegrin national television RTCG about the upcoming home game against the Bulgarian representative.
"We are certainly in for a difficult match. There are no easy opponents in European tournaments. We need to enter with maximum concentration, play patiently, and I am sure the result will not be long in coming," said Ćuk.
He also appealed to local fans to support the team from the stands, emphasizing the importance of the home atmosphere in European matches.
Montenegrin media present Lokomotiv Avia as fourth in the Bulgarian Superliga last season and recall the Plovdiv team's participation in the second round of the CEV Cup a year earlier.
Possible Bulgarian clash in the next round
The winner of the match between Budva and Lokomotiv Avia will meet in the next phase the winner of the pair CSKA (Sofia) - Epicenter-Podolyany (Ukraine).
Thus, with a successful performance of the two Bulgarian clubs, a direct clash between Lokomotiv Avia and CSKA is possible in the 1/16 finals of the Challenge Cup.
Before that, however, the team from Plovdiv, led by Nayden Naydenov, must overcome an opponent with eight consecutive titles, serious ambitions in Europe, and an Olympic champion in the squad.
The first match in Budva is this evening at 7:00 PM Bulgarian time, and the return leg in Plovdiv will be held in a week.
photo:OSCG
