Vasilije Milenković – From CEV School Project 'alumnus' to the big stage

Nineteen-year-old outside spiker Vasilije Milenković is a key player for OK BUDVA and a great prospect for the Montenegrin national team as well. A classic offspring of the Montenegrin Volleyball school, he has progressed through all age categories and made his debut for the senior national team last year.

His connection with Volleyball dates back to his earliest days when, at the age of 13, he participated in the Volleyball Federation of Montenegro’s programme “Mini Volleyball,” which is run under the umbrella of the CEV School Project ‘Play Volleyball – Grow with it’. 
 
“That was the beginning, a great programme that helps kids fall in love with Volleyball, get into sports, socialise, and make friends,” says Milenković.
 
Through mini volleyball, he only deepened his love for the sport. “I started when I was ten years old. A friend of my brother invited us to a practice, we went just for fun, and I never imagined it would so quickly become my calling, practically my profession,” says Milenković, who was born on January 5, 2006.
 
Nine years later, Vasilije is a Montenegrin champion with OK BUDVA, a member of the national team, and an athlete fully dedicated to the sport. “We train twice a day, except on Mondays and Wednesdays. It’s not easy, but this is what I chose, what I love, and I enjoy both training and matches. My love for Volleyball makes everything easier,” he says with a smile.

In Budva’s championship-winning team, he plays alongside his older brother, Rastko, a setter -the team’s ‘conductor’, so to speak. “It is a great feeling to play with my brother on the same team. When I make a mistake or when things aren’t going well, he is always there to support me and say something to lift me up.” 
 
OK BUDVA is the current holder of the domestic double - league and cup titles - and has similar ambitions this season. “I think we are the best team again, but it won’t be easy. Budućnost has signed Ivan Zvicer and is much more competitive now. Still, I believe we will come out on top.” 
 
In the summer, once the club season ends, Vasilije will turn his focus to the national team. A new head coach, Ivica Jevtić, has taken over, and Montenegro’s chances of qualifying for a fourth consecutive European Championship in a group with Norway and Czechia are slim. “We have already missed some opportunities, but we will fight until the end in these qualifiers. Still, I do not think we should worry about the future - we have a young and very talented team. It won’t be a ‘tragedy’ if we skip one European Championship. I am confident the next qualifiers will be ours once we get more experience and adjust to the new coach.”

Vasilije Milenković is part of the next generation of Montenegrin Volleyball stars. He has already established himself in Budva and does not hide his readiness for the next step.
 
“This summer, I’ll be 19 and a half, and I think that’s the right time to move abroad - of course, if the opportunity arises. I am ambitious and want to play in one of the top leagues one day, whether in Poland, Italy, Türkiye, or Russia. However, I am aware that I have to take things step by step and that breaking into such leagues immediately is tough. That’s why countries like Greece, Croatia, or Slovenia are great stepping stones. We will see what happens, but for now, I am focused on winning the double with Budva.”

He looks up to a Volleyball legend he never had the chance to watch live. “I was too young, or maybe not even born yet when Vladimir Grbić played, but from what my family told me and from the videos I have watched, he was a ‘prototype’ - an incredible player.”

Among current stars, Vasilije admires Wilfredo León, the Cuban-born Polish international, believing he will soon be part of that elite group. He also has a local idol, a former Budvanska Rivijera standout. “That’s Miloš Nikić, of course. I loved watching him play.”
 
Although he plays Volleyball at a high level, Vasilije is also committed to his education. “I enrolled in Sports Management at UDG University. Balancing everything is not easy, but at least we athletes have the advantage of not having to attend lectures. Occasional chats with professors are mandatory, and I am confident I will find time to prepare for my exams,” he concludes.