Ognjenović: "Winning the #CLVolleyW is my biggest dream"

Few players manage to preserve their consistency and passion for the game until their 40s. Serbian setter Maja Ognjenović is one of them and is now aiming for her maiden win in the CEV Champions League Women, with Savino Del Bene Scandicci.

Throughout her stellar career, which saw Ognjenović named as the All-Star setter in the Champions League once and the All-Star setter at the CEV EuroVolley Women four times, the Serbian player played in the semi-finals of the European premium competition five times.

But never has Ognjenović lifted the trophy, losing the title match twice in 2021, with VakifBank, and in 2023 with Eczacıbaşı Dynavit Istanbul. But she kept on going.

“I believe miracles always can happen, no matter the age and no matter the team. Because when I played those finals with VakifBank and Eczacıbaşı, I was pretty sure we were going to win. But that did not happen,” says the Serbian setter.

Yet as Ognjenović had to navigate another disappointment, missing out on a medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, her last major international competition with Serbia, the excellent season with Scandicci brought a touch of solace.

The Italian side delivered a vintage season in their second appearance in the CEV Champions League Women, securing eight wins in eight matches without even dropping a set, sweeping their opponents on their way to the Final Four in Istanbul.

It was a show of dominance by the Italian side, which finished third in the domestic league, earning another appearance in the European premium competition next season.

But for Ognjenović, the time is now.

“It's a special occasion for any player. I mean, it's always nice to be in this kind of tournament. And I think that we are four teams which are all super excited to be here in Istanbul and to play for the trophy,” says the Serbian setter.

“I also believe that all four teams have the same expectations from this tournament. So honestly, Scandicci as a team, for the first time in the history, are participating in this Final Four, fighting for the trophy. So for us, I don't want to say that it's already a big success, but being here, next to these three teams, Conegliano, VakifBank and Milano, this is a huge achievement”.

Participating is one thing. But winning the trophy? That is totally another different breed of a problem, therefore needing a pitch perfect performance in two days, beating two of the best teams in the world.

“Winning the Champions League is my biggest dream,” says Ognjenović, who is a world and European champion, as well as an Olympic silver and bronze medallist in her career.

“I always believed I would win it. But when the dream disappears, just like in 2021 and 2023, it is just difficult to go back and play. But I also said that I would never play a Final Fourt and yet we are here, in Istanbul, with another chance.”

In volleyball, life comes at you fast and Ognjenović was nearly contemplating retirement after the disappointment at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, when Serbia were eliminated in quarter-finals after a 0:3 loss against Italy.

But the way Scandicci played and the immaculate performance in the Champions League made her change her mind.

“When I started this season, I was thinking, you know, about the end of my career, especially because I retired from the national team. So I was, I cannot say pretty sure, but I believed that it's going to be the last season. But after that disappointment with the national team and the retirement, I was sad and upset. Then I understood how much I loved volleyball and I decided to continue,” concluded Ognjenović.