Nikolic & Ognjenovic
As it was known from earlier, libero Suzana Ćebić and opposite Jovana Brakočević-Canzian said goodbye to the Serbian NT. And that is why the names of these two players did not find a place on the list of the head coach Zoran Terzić for the obligations of the national team in 2017, starting with the European Qualifying Tournament for the 2018 FIVB World Championship.
But, the absence of Maja Ognjenović and Jelena Nikolić from the same list was a mystery until both revealed they also retired from international volleyball.
„My decision was, I think, quite expected. Even before the Rio Olympics, it was not a secret that I will retire (from national team). I nearly decided to said goodbye even in 2011, after the European Championship in Belgrade, but luckily, I kept playing. Now, when the Olympics is over, I think that I no longer belong here, that some new players should play, the players that will start their journey to Tokyo (Olympics),“ a 35-year-old receiver Nikolić said.
„We talked after the Rio (Olympics) and I said then, if I’m not on the list it means I am not in the national team. That’s it… I know everyone have big desire to win the world title next year in Japan, but I think it is far to be talked about it now. OK, if you like, I will say ’never say never’,“ a 32-year-old setter Ognjenović stated.
All four freshly retired Serbian NT players were involved in the so-called international renaissance of the Women’s volleyball in this country that started 11 years ago with the bronze medal in the FIVB World Championship in Japan and got crowned with the gold medal in the 2011 CEV European Championship in Serbian capital Belgrade.
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