Montenegro’s bocce team is ready for the challenge of the Mediterranean Games, with both the men and women set to compete tomorrow. The men’s team is young but experienced, with high expectations surrounding youth world champion and European champion Gracija Stjepčević, who will compete in the precision shooting event. Ilija Belan will also compete, in the speed shooting event.
Zoran Vučetić, head coach of the men’s team, is hoping for a good result. “Both of them are young, but they have already been through a lot. Stjepčević has won everything there was to win. We have been fine-tuning our form over the past two months and it is now at the highest level. The competition is exceptional, on the level of a World Championship, because all the leading nations in our sport have come to Italy. There are no favourites in precision shooting, as luck and the surface also play a role, so I would not single anyone out. Concentration is important and millimetres decide. We will also need a little bit of luck on our side if we are to reach a medal,” Vučetić said.
In the women’s competition, Sanela Brkan will compete in precision shooting and Ela Stjepčević in speed shooting. “The women’s team has been preparing for the Games for the past two months, and we have completed several training sessions in Italy. The courts are specific, but we are adapting. Ela will certainly gain a great deal of experience at the Mediterranean Games, and we hope she can reach her current maximum. Sanela is more experienced and we hope she can surprise. We will do everything we can to make that happen. The competition is strong, with the best competitors from Croatia, Italy, France and Slovenia taking part,” said women’s head coach Dejan Stjepčević.
Bocce qualification rounds are scheduled for 22 August. Ilija Belan will compete in speed shooting from 16:15, while Ela Stjepčević will compete in the same event from 16:55. Gracija Stjepčević will compete in precision shooting from 17:45, while Sanela Brkan will take part from 20:05. The second qualification round in speed shooting is scheduled for Ilija Belan at 21:45 and for Ela Stjepčević at 22:25.
Milenković targets personal best in the 50m butterfly — Miloš Milenković will compete tomorrow in the 50m butterfly. His goal is to improve his personal best of 23.67. The heats begin early, with the final taking place in the afternoon. There are no semi-finals in the swimming competition, with the eight fastest swimmers advancing directly to the medal race. “I am ready, and the competition is really strong. I will give everything I have to achieve the best possible placing and improve my personal best in the 50m butterfly. I recently swam 23.99 at the European Championships in Paris. I did not execute the start well, and I believe I will be much better tomorrow. There is only one race to reach the final, but it is the same for everyone. We have to adapt, and I hope I can produce my best time at the first attempt,” Milenković said. Our swimmer will return to the pool the following day for the same stroke over the longer distance of 100 metres.
Montenegro’s padel team makes its Mediterranean Games debut — In the women’s doubles, Ivanka Simonović and Jelena Matijević will face Spain in their opening match, while in the men’s competition Montenegro, represented by Luka Petranović and captain Đanluka Lamberto Pelonci, will face Morocco. In the mixed doubles, if our team gets past Kosovo, host nation Italy awaits. “We cannot wait for the competition to begin. I will compete with my partner Luka, while Jelena and Ivanka will represent the women’s team. Our expectations are to represent our national team in the best possible way, and I hope we can achieve one victory,” said padel team captain Đanluka Lamberto Pelonci.
Đinović first into the ring, Gojković starts from the semi-finals — Tomislav Đinović will box tomorrow in the round of 16 against Spain’s Marin Hernandez in the up to 60 kg category. The bout is scheduled for 22 August in San Giorgio Jonico. Two days later, Miloš Roganović, competing in the up to 70 kg category, will enter the competition at the quarter-final stage. His opponent will be the winner of the bout between Italy’s Guidi Rontani and Kartal of Türkiye. The ring on 26 August is reserved for Bojana Gojković, who will begin her competition in the up to 57 kg category from the semi-finals. Her opponent will be the winner of the bout between Testa of Italy and Shadrina of Serbia. “Tomislav will box against a Cuban boxer who competes for Spain. He was the youth world silver medallist in 2022. We are going in without compromise today,” said Nikola Ružić, head coach of the boxing team.
The taekwondo team will begin competition tomorrow, with Enes Dushku (up to 68 kg) the first to take to the mat. He will face Greece’s Apostolos Panagopoulos, who is fourth in the world rankings. A day later, Anđela Berišaj (over 67 kg) and Andrea Berišaj (up to 67 kg) will compete, with both considered medal contenders. “This is my first year in the senior category. At the Games, I will be facing an outstanding competitor, and our tournament is very strong because world and European champions have come to Italy. I am ready; I am hoping for the best, although it will be very difficult. I will give my maximum and hope for the best possible result,” said Enes Dushku.
The Opening Ceremony of the Mediterranean Games will take place tonight, 21 August, from 20:15 to 22:15.
PHOTO and VIDEO gallery – Team MNE @ Taranto 2026 – https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD2GR8
