The head coach of the Serbian national basketball team, Svetislav Pešić, was a guest on the show “Oko” and pointed out that one of the strongest EuroBaskets in history awaits us and that there are several candidates for a medal. He spoke about the importance of each individual in the squad and that each player must know their role in the team.
The “Eagles” are set to start the European Championship next week, and on that occasion, head coach Svetislav Pešić pointed out that it will be one of the highest quality in the history of that competition.
“We are in the process of preparations. Can we be better? Well, we have to be better. One of the strongest competitions so far in the history of EuroBasket awaits us. After the NBA, the European Championship is the strongest thing you can watch in the world today when it comes to basketball. I’m sorry that the EuroBasket is not every other year as it used to be,” said Pešić at the beginning.
Serbia played six preparatory matches and won all six, but Pešić said that the national team is not burdened with the results.
“We can lose to anyone, maybe not to everyone, but we can to the favorites. There are six to eight of them. They are all candidates for one of the medals. The system is such that anything can happen in one game – even against teams from the second tier. One game is played, if the difference is plus or minus ten, you still don’t know the winner. We are not burdened with the result, we are trying to do everything in silence and without euphoria. We have to be focused and create a good team that will oppose everyone,” explained the coach.
Serbia will play one of the group matches against Latvia in front of their fans.
“Lithuania and Latvia are basketball countries. We say we are a basketball country, but we don’t have a league, while those two countries do. Latvia is a fantastic team, they have great players. It will be perhaps the most difficult game for us at the championship in front of 15,000 spectators – and we have to be prepared for that,” Pešić pointed out.
After the game with Slovenia, which will be played on Thursday in the Belgrade Arena, Pešić should also announce the final 12 players for the EuroBasket.
“Let Dončić play, that’s what you’re interested in, not us. We’re dealing with our national team. Maybe we needed one more strong preparatory game, but it is what it is. The most difficult decision for me is to choose 12 players. Especially because all these guys are giving their maximum, but thanks to the continuity of several years, we have created a mutual understanding. It is important that each player knows what is expected of him and what his role is. Who will be among the 12? I would like everyone to go, but that is impossible,” explained the coach.
“Micić did not have a single team practice”
The national team’s first point guard, Vasilije Micić, is doing the final tests to determine if he still has problems with his ankle injury.
“Right now, while we are here in the studio, he is doing that final test. He has not done a single team practice five-on-five, we will see tomorrow how much he can endure and how much his ankle can endure. He trained regularly, but he did not put stress on the joint. We will make a decision that is in everyone’s favor. As for Smailagić and Trifunović, we will see about them,” said the popular Kari.
Nikola Jokić is currently considered by many to be the best basketball player on the planet, but Pešić did not want to say that the national team consists of one or two players.
“This is not a team of Jokić and Bogdanović and the remaining ten. This is a team of ten players plus Jokić and Bogdanović. I tell one player: “You will never be Jokić, is that clear to you, but Jokić will not be you either, Jokić is Jokić. Give what you know and do best.” I want to say, of course, they are fantastic players. But, top teams without key leaders like them are not top teams. So don’t say that, these are quality guys, talk about others too,” Pešić was precise in his presentation.
“There are many candidates for a medal”
The coach pointed out that there are several candidates for a medal at the championship.
“Turkey is one of the favorites. Then comes Lithuania, Latvia, and Italy. Greece is also there. They have Giannis who raises the value of every player on the team. Germany, Spain, France, but without some key players. It’s difficult when you’re without those leading players, but if that is compensated for, anything can happen,” said Pešić.
Serbia won its last European champion title in 2001, but as FR Yugoslavia; however, Pešić pointed out that it is difficult to compare the national team then and now.
“Still, it’s hard to compare. 25 years have passed. Basketball has progressed, it is now more modern and faster. We had good players then too, and those who supported the team and knew ‘who mows and who carries the water.’ We went then as we did to Manila two years ago and again we returned with a fantastic result. Is this national team better? Well, overall it is, but it has to show that through results,” Pešić concluded.
The Serbian national team is in Group A with Estonia, Portugal, Turkey, Latvia, and the Czech Republic. The “Eagles” will play their first match at the European Championship on August 27 against Estonia.
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Source: RTS; Photo: ATA Images