Božana Butigan has already made a name for herself in Italy’s competitive A1 league. Currently playing for Il Bisonte Firenze, Butigan recently shared her thoughts for the Croatian Volleyball Federation website on her journey and experiences.
With three matches and three points in the Italian women’s Serie A this season, Il Bisonte Firenze sits comfortably mid-table. At 24 years old and standing at an impressive 190 cm, Božana Butigan is one of the stars of her team. Despite a challenging start to the season, she remains optimistic. “We had a tough schedule from the beginning, so we can be pleased with our results so far,” Butigan shared, highlighting the youth of her team. “The team is mostly local players, with only two foreign players. I’m happy with the team, the club, the city, and the people around me.”
Having been one of the younger players on her past teams, Butigan now finds herself in a leadership role, even at just 24. She noted, “I have greater responsibility now, which I enjoy. It feels like a new level in my career.”
Butigan’s volleyball journey began with Mladost, her home club, before moving to Italy’s top league, first with Conegliano and then Bergamo. Her path has been one of steady progress. Reflecting on her current club, Butigan said, “I had fewer minutes with Conegliano, but I learned a lot there. At Bergamo, I had more playing time, and now in Florence, I feel like one of the key players.”
As for Firenze’s goals this season, Butigan explained, “We’re aiming for a spot in the playoffs, which seems realistic. We’re not in European cups, so our priority is the domestic league. I’m really enjoying the practices and the games, which is what matters most.”
Reflecting on her past with Mladost, which will soon face Conegliano in the CEV Champions League, Butigan had words of encouragement for her former teammates. “Playing in the Champions League group stage is an amazing opportunity, even if they might not fully realize it yet. Conegliano is a tough opponent, but I’d encourage them to be brave and enjoy the moment.”
Butigan also spoke about the Croatian national team’s experience in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL), where they competed against some of the world’s strongest teams. “We’re a young team, and at 24, I’m one of the older players. We lacked some experience and quality this year, but I hope we’ll be back in the VNL soon. Our focus is on developing stability and finding our identity as a team.”
Croatia’s next step is the Golden European League, with their ultimate goal being to qualify for the European Championship. “We’ve done well so far and just need to finish strong in the upcoming qualifying matches,” Butigan added. Alongside her achievements in volleyball, she recently graduated with a degree in communications, proving herself just as dedicated to her academic pursuits.
