Bulatovic even more motivated after Buducnost return

Bulatovic even more motivated after Buducnost return

Katarina Bulatovic left Györi Audi ETO with a EHF Champions League win, like she did in 2012 when she won the EHF Champions League title with Buducnost before moving to Romanian side Oltchim Rm. Valcea.

"I’ve leant that when you want something so much, in the end you will manage to do it,” Katarina Bulatovic told ehfCL.com.

With the title she won with Slagelse in 2007, Bulatovic, considered by many the best right-back in the world, now has three titles and will be gunning for a fourth with Buducnost.

“I hope, I believe it will be the fourth,” Bulatovic continued.

Asked what she felt in May when she played the final with Györ against the Montenegrin club, the 29-year-old replied: "I didn't think lot about the fact that I was going to play against my future team.

“I was getting ready for them and for all other opponents in the Champions League. On the warm-up it was a little strange feeling when I saw the girls on the other side, but when the referees whistle for the start of the game, all of that was gone.”

Katarina Bulatovic was the only Buducnost reinforcement over the summer, but one of a kind. The fight for the trophy in the Champions League was not the only reason Katarina came back to Podgorica.

"There were also personal reasons that contributed to the fact that I wanted to go back to Podgorica and it was one of the most important factors that have determined my decision.

Although she was not born in the capital of Montenegro, she always said "Podgorica is my city."

“The people won me over from day one I came because they accepted me like their own. Because of that, in Podgorica I really feel at home. People are the most important, wherever you go.

"I'm glad I came back because I was the most beautiful moments spent in Buducnost and Podgorica. Now I really have much greater motivation than ever before,” added the right back.

Familiar with the team

After seven seasons with the club, getting to know the team was not a problem.

"I know the team very well. With Cristina Neagu I played in Oltchim Rm. Valcea. I haven’t played with Kinga Byzdra and Camilla Dalby, but I believe that we can quickly figure each other out.

“As for the plans, they are certainly the biggest. We plan to go far in Champions League, but let's go step-by-step, like we did in 2012.

“The team looks good, but we’ll find out its real strength after the first round.”

Katarina pointed out that there is not much difference between the team that won the title in 2012 and this season’s group.

"Of course, then we had Bojana Popovic and Maja Savic, but the girls who will play this season at their positions work well for now. And with the help of Bojana as sports director I think it will be even better. Her advice and experience can help us all a lot. The system remained the same, so I do not find it difficult to get back to it.”

Although only Clara Woltering is older than her, Bulatovic says she does not feel a greater responsibility in the team compared to two years ago.

"I think every girl in the team have a responsibility, so I do not feel a lot of pressure. I will work as in previous years and I think that will be enough. I think in the team we have a lot of quality players who know how to play big games and for years back have proven their quality.”

Special psychological preparation for Vardar

Apart from getting settled again, Bulatovic has undertaken some special preparation for the start of the competition.

"My mental preparation for the game against Vardar started with a long drive on the old road from Cetinje to Kotor through the famous village Njeguši, with a beautiful view on one of the most beautiful bays in Europe, Bay of Kotor.

“Given that I'm someone who loves nature and enjoys every sunny day, whenever I get a chance, I spend time with loved ones and to dedicate myself exclusively to rest and recharge the batteries for a long week of preparation”.

"After you've spent the last two years outside of Montenegro, I'm glad I have this chance to enjoy visits to beautiful areas of our country, which, although I was not born here, I know very well.”

On Sunday, Buducnost will host Vardar in a repeat of last season’s semi-final in Budapest.

"Vardar is a team full of good individuals, but we'll wait for that game to see what will happen. It will be a quite difficult game to start and I do not expect a perfect performance because we’re short of quality match practice.

Attention to the youngest and studying

The world class right back has been paying attention to those who have just started training. Recently, she visited a young team of HC Trebjesa from Niksic, to the delight of the young players.

"A visit to younger girls who are training handball is really a pleasure. I spent a wonderful few hours visiting HC Trebjesa. I will always, when I find time, do the same in the future.

“Children are the most honest fans, and I'm glad they can be happy with my visit. Their smiles are something that gives me pleasure and I'll do my best to fulfill their wishes and to visit them again.”

In addition to the obligations on the field, Katarina is busy with studies in International Economics, Finance and Business at the University of Donja Gorica.

"We already have to think about what comes after the end of our playing careers and the fact that a university degree, with knowledge of foreign languages, is a prerequisite for working in business in the future," Bulatovic concluded.