{"id":203336,"date":"2026-03-05T19:13:20","date_gmt":"2026-03-05T17:13:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/?p=203336"},"modified":"2026-03-05T19:13:21","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T17:13:21","slug":"covic-shocked-the-public-here-is-why-some-did-not-play-for-serbia-smailagic-broke-his-phone-and-did-not-answer-pokusevski-refused-guduric-was-tired","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/covic-shocked-the-public-here-is-why-some-did-not-play-for-serbia-smailagic-broke-his-phone-and-did-not-answer-pokusevski-refused-guduric-was-tired\/","title":{"rendered":"\u010cOVI\u0106 SHOCKED THE PUBLIC, HERE IS WHY SOME DID NOT PLAY FOR SERBIA: Smailagi\u0107 broke his phone and did not answer, Poku\u0161evski refused, Guduri\u0107 was tired\u2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Serbian men\u2019s national basketball team suffered two defeats against Turkey in the qualifiers for the FIBA Basketball World Cup, and two days after the second failure in Istanbul, Neboj\u0161a \u010covi\u0107, the president of the Basketball Federation of Serbia, spoke out, revealing shocking details and the reasons why certain players did not play for the Eagles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Head coach Du\u0161an Alimpijevi\u0107 faced major problems while assembling the team, as he could not count on all the players who compete in the EuroLeague.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Speaking to the newspaper Danas about difficulties in cooperation with clubs and players, controversial refereeing decisions, as well as the unpleasant experiences Serbian fans had in Istanbul, the president of the Basketball Federation of Serbia, Neboj\u0161a \u010covi\u0107, gave an interview.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u010covi\u0107 shockingly revealed why Alen Smailagi\u0107 did not play for Serbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSmailagi\u0107 simply did not answer the phone to anyone from the coaching staff. His club Virtus Bologna did not create any problem. We found out that he broke his phone and there was a scheduled call with the assistant coach at the club, but he did not show up at the scheduled time then either. So now you can conclude the rest yourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"http:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/03\/Nebojsa-Covic-ATA-Images-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-203337\" srcset=\"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/03\/Nebojsa-Covic-ATA-Images-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/03\/Nebojsa-Covic-ATA-Images-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/03\/Nebojsa-Covic-ATA-Images-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/03\/Nebojsa-Covic-ATA-Images-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/03\/Nebojsa-Covic-ATA-Images-1568x1045.jpg 1568w, https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/03\/Nebojsa-Covic-ATA-Images-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/03\/Nebojsa-Covic-ATA-Images.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He also explained why Filip Petru\u0161ev, Nikola Milutinov and Marko Guduri\u0107 were absent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAs for Petru\u0161ev, he reported a problem with his knee and cartilage and in agreement with the doctors it was decided that during the window he should rest so he could receive an injection that would address the possible problem he has. Vasilije Mici\u0107 was not released by his club, and in addition he has an additional knee problem. He went to see a doctor in Munich, but basically the club did not release him and that is the main reason. Milutinov also has a knee injury, but his club would not have released him either because it overlapped with the Greek Cup (basketball).\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHowever, we have a firm promise that he will be there in the summer for this \u2018window\u2019 in July. As for Guduri\u0107, in November he had a problem with his Achilles tendon and that is why he did not come during that window, but he promised then that he would definitely be there in February. However, he did not come now. He played and was the MVP of the Italian Cup they won. He said he needed rest and came to Belgrade to receive an injection.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-serbiantimes-info wp-block-embed-serbiantimes-info\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"qZK0DezByN\"><a href=\"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/unistena-najveca-americka-baza-na-bliskom-istoku-iran-pogodio-radar-koji-vodi-sve-pvo-sisteme-u-regionu\/\">UNI\u0160TENA NAJVE\u0106A AMERI\u010cKA BAZA NA BLISKOM ISTOKU: Iran pogodio radar koji vodi gotovo sve PVO sisteme u regionu!<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#132;UNI\u0160TENA NAJVE\u0106A AMERI\u010cKA BAZA NA BLISKOM ISTOKU: Iran pogodio radar koji vodi gotovo sve PVO sisteme u regionu!&#147; &#8212; Serbiantimes.info\" src=\"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/unistena-najveca-americka-baza-na-bliskom-istoku-iran-pogodio-radar-koji-vodi-sve-pvo-sisteme-u-regionu\/embed\/#?secret=DMBr9rfDBB#?secret=qZK0DezByN\" data-secret=\"qZK0DezByN\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He emphasized that the eternal rivals respected the agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cCrvena zvezda and Partizan, as well as all other Serbian clubs, respected all agreements and released all the players who were on the national team list. In that sense we had no problems.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Aleksej Poku\u0161evski told the coach that he could not be part of the team even though Partizan had given permission&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe did not accept the call-up. The club gave the green light, and Poku\u0161evski explained to coach Du\u0161an Alimpijevi\u0107 that for personal reasons he could not be part of the team. Simply, we as a Federation are not in a position to force anyone to play. I have never supported, even when I was in clubs, forcing a player to play. Of course, when someone is injured the most important thing is that the injuries are healed,\u201d \u010covi\u0107 said in an interview for Danas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:#FFFFFF;color:#d21414\" class=\"has-inline-color\">MORE TOPICS:<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/cocaine-shipments-kept-in-the-serbian-embassy-in-lisbon-a-major-scandal-shook-serbian-diplomacy-sky-messages-revealed-the-alleged-affair\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">COCAINE SHIPMENTS KEPT IN THE SERBIAN EMBASSY IN LISBON? A major scandal shook Serbian diplomacy, Sky messages revealed the alleged affair!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/israel-launched-a-ground-invasion-of-lebanon-the-army-received-orders-to-seize-additional-territory-beirut-under-heavy-bombardment\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">ISRAEL LAUNCHED A GROUND INVASION OF LEBANON: The army received orders to seize additional territory, Beirut under heavy bombardment!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/rubio-admitted-that-israel-dragged-america-into-the-war-we-knew-that-iran-would-attack-us-when-israel-attacks-them-that-is-why-we-attacked-them-first-video\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">RUBIO ADMITTED THAT ISRAEL DRAGGED AMERICA INTO THE WAR? \u201eWe knew that Iran would attack us when Israel attacks them, that is why we attacked them first!\u201c (VIDEO)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/tucker-carlson-saudis-and-qataris-arrested-mossad-agents-for-planning-bomb-attacks-israel-wants-to-destroy-the-gulf-countries-too-video\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">TUCKER CARLSON: Saudis and Qataris arrested Mossad agents for planning bomb attacks, Israel wants to destroy the Gulf countries too! (VIDEO)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/first-footage-of-serbian-citizens-evacuated-from-dubai-200-of-them-have-just-landed-at-the-belgrade-airport-photo\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">FIRST FOOTAGE OF SERBIAN CITIZENS EVACUATED FROM DUBAI: 200 of them have just landed at the Belgrade airport! (PHOTO)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><strong>Source<\/strong><\/strong>: Danas <strong>Foto:<\/strong> ATA IMages<br><a href=\"https:\/\/sportal.blic.rs\/autor\/stefan-kojic-2022041810405408286\"><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Serbian men\u2019s national basketball team suffered two defeats against Turkey in the qualifiers for the FIBA Basketball World Cup, and two days after the second failure in Istanbul, Neboj\u0161a \u010covi\u0107, the president of the Basketball Federation of Serbia, spoke out, revealing shocking details and the reasons why certain players did not play for the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":203338,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"newspack_featured_image_position":"","newspack_post_subtitle":"","newspack_article_summary_title":"Overview:","newspack_article_summary":"","newspack_hide_updated_date":false,"newspack_show_updated_date":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[11583,11584,11585,1518,8497,8560],"class_list":["post-203336","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sport","tag-aleksej-pokusevski","tag-alen-smailagic","tag-izostanci-igraca","tag-kosarkaska-reprezentacija-srbije","tag-kosarkaski-savez-srbije","tag-nebojsa-covic-2","entry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t<!-- All in One SEO 5.0.0.1 - aioseo.com -->\n\t<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Serbian men\u2019s national basketball team suffered two defeats against Turkey in the qualifiers for the FIBA 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