Serbian volleyball legend Maja Ognjenović confirmed her retirement from the national team following Serbia’s 3-0 defeat to Italy in the Olympic quarterfinals. The loss, with set scores of 26-24, 25-20, 25-20, marked the end of a storied international career for Ognjenović, who celebrated her 40th birthday the same day.
Despite a strong start and a lead of 19-15 in the first set, Serbia struggled as Italy mounted a comeback and dominated the later sets. Ognjenović expressed her disappointment, noting that the team’s loss of momentum in the final stages was a psychological blow.
“The defeat was tough,” she said in Paris. “We had good energy at the start, but losing a few points in a row affected us greatly. We tried to adjust, but it felt almost impossible to recover.”
Reflecting on her career, Ognjenović, who had hoped to win gold in Paris, acknowledged the team’s challenge in facing a formidable Italian squad. She expressed her gratitude for the support from teammates, coaches, and fans, despite the disappointing end.
“This is the end of my journey with the national team,” Ognjenović confirmed. “It’s time for me to step away, but I am grateful for the experiences, medals, and memories. It has been both wonderful and challenging.”
Ognjenović’s retirement follows a series of high-profile exits from international volleyball, including announcements from players like Poland’s Joanna Wołosz and Brazil’s Yoandi Leal.
