Tijana Boskovic’s recovery timeline and VNL squad omission
Tijana Boskovic is absent from the 23-player VNL squad due to ACL and MCL surgery on her left knee. Head coach Zoran Terzic confirmed her unavailability for the July 8 match against Bulgaria, leaving Serbia to rely on substitutes like Vanja Bukilic while she continues rehabilitation.
The absence of Serbia’s captain from the 23-player squad announced for the Volleyball Nations League preparations in Belgrade confirms her continued unavailability. Head coach Zoran Terzic revealed the expanded roster at the end of April, with players training in the capital ahead of a July 8 match against Bulgaria. While the group includes promising middle blocker Hena Kurtagic and experienced names like Maja Aleksic, the omission of Boskovic stands out as a significant gap in the national team’s offensive depth. I note that her return remains uncertain despite the urgency of the upcoming international schedule.
The injury context
Boskovic sustained a severe injury during the Champions League semifinals, which forced her to undergo surgery on the anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament of her left knee. This procedure was necessary after she suffered damage while playing for VakifBank, a club where she recently claimed her first CEV Women’s Champions League title. Her teammate Katarina Dangubic also missed the VNL preparations due to a separate long-term injury, leaving the Serbian outside hitter position thinly covered. The timing of these absences complicates Terzic’s strategy for rejuvenating the team with younger talent.
The medical reality is stark: ligament reconstruction typically requires months of rehabilitation before an athlete can resume high-intensity competition. Boskovic’s status as the fastest spiker in women’s volleyball history, with a recorded hit of 110.3 km/h, makes any premature return particularly risky. I find it concerning that the national team must proceed without its primary scorer while preparing for a tournament where they previously lost to Bulgaria in a dramatic five-set match. The physical demands of the VNL, including a friendly tournament in Genoa against Italy, Poland, and Turkey, will test the remaining squad members heavily.
Squad adjustments and future outlook
With Boskovic sidelined, the burden shifts to players like Vanja Bukilic and Tara Taubner, who are listed as opposites in the expanded list. The inclusion of young athletes such as Branka Tica and Jovana Cvetkovic suggests Terzic intends to build depth regardless of the star player’s availability. However, the loss of Boskovic’s experience and power creates a noticeable void that no single substitute can fill. She has won MVP honors at all four major tournaments she has entered, a consistency that is difficult to replicate in a shortened timeframe.
The question of when she will rejoin the national team remains unanswered by the current reports. While VakifBank continues its season preparations, the focus for the Serbian camp is on adapting to life without their leader. The decision to exclude her from the initial 23-player pool indicates that the medical team does not yet consider her ready for competitive play. I expect the final VNL roster to reflect these constraints, prioritizing health over immediate tactical needs. The path back to the court is long, and patience is required for a player of her caliber to regain full form.
