Every Turkish Airlines EuroLeague game will be a basketball celebration in the Montenegrin capital as Buducnost VOLI Podgorica competes in the premier European basketball competition for the first time since 2003. Here's a rundown on some of the key dates in Buducnost's 2018-19 season.
Round 1: The EuroLeague is back!
There is no better way to return to the competition than playing a EuroLeague game at home for the first time since February 6, 2003. That's 5,726 days without a EuroLeague game in Podgorica. That streak comes to an end when AX Armani Exchange Olimpia Milan visits the Montenegrin capital. It will be the first-ever showdown between the clubs, which adds even more anticipation for this historic night. Expect a noisy, attractive basketball atmosphere because the long wait is over. Buducnost is back in the EuroLeague!
Round 4: A visit to the champs
Buducnost will play five of its first seven games at home and getting a good start could be a key to a successful season. The team could use some good momentum when it visits reigning EuroLeague champion Real Madrid on October 25. These two teams have not faced each other since 2001 and Madrid has won all four of their previous matchups by double digits. Buducnost will be eager to challenge Madrid at WiZink Center and break that streak with a historic first win against the 10-time champs.
Round 9: Here comes CSKA
This will be a highly-anticipated game in the Montenegrin capital as CSKA plays its first official game in Podgorica since October 25, 2001. That was CSKA's only visit to the city and it was a convincing one; the Russian powerhouse routed Buducnost 72-103 behind 25 points from Gordan Giricek. This will be a strong test for Buducnost, which will try to showcase its best basketball to challenge a star-studded squad that always competes hard. Expect it to be one of Buducnost's biggest home games this season.
Round 14: A great new matchup
After playing three of the previous four games on the road, Buducnost will return to Podgorica to face Fenerbahce Istanbul, led by head coach Zeljko Obradovic, who is respected everywhere and even more so in the former Yugoslavia. Buducnost has never played against Fenerbahce, neither before or after its merge with Ulker, so that adds a little extra spice. Fenerbahce has been to each of the last three Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Championship Games and will be ready to offer its best version in Podgorica.
Round 18: A chance for revenge
Buducnost may not have faced many of the EuroLeague powerhouses in many years - or at all, but it has had recent battles against some teams in the competitions. One of them is Darussafaka Istanbul, which swept their 7DAYS EuroCup Quarterfinals series last season. Darussafaka won Game 1 at home by a narrow margin 57-54 and wrapped up the best-of-three series in Podgorica,71-78. Buducnost will be motivated to bounce back from those losses that put an end to its EuroCup season last year.