Serbian stars reflect on special Fiba World Cup feat

A silver medal on the again of a 6-2 file is one thing that 30 different groups that participated within the Fiba  World Cup would have gladly traded their return tickets for. For Serbia, nonetheless, it was an achievement that got here second solely to what the workforce felt it solid within the world showcase.

“We actually turned brothers on this event. We struggled, it was actually troublesome for us however we labored exhausting, by no means gave up and the friendship, brotherhood and chemistry was there,” mentioned an exhausted Nikola Milutinov after an 83-77 defeat to Germany within the last.

“We’ve been via so many difficulties with this group of men and we received ourselves ready the place we may make our nation much more proud however sadly we didn’t make it.”

Solely blemish

Serbia regarded invincible for many of the World Cup, with a shock loss to Italy within the second spherical its solely blemish heading into the ultimate.Up till a robust exhibiting in a semifinal victory over Canada, the place Milutinov, the 7-foot Olympiacos B.C. participant, posted 16 factors and 10 rebounds to ship Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and firm right down to a bronze medal match in opposition to Staff USA, Serbia regarded each inch the favourite for the Naismith trophy.

Nevertheless, when he was wanted probably the most, Milutinov had his worst recreation of the event, dropping solely two factors and 4 boards whereas drawing blanks from the sector.

“That is basketball, generally dangerous video games occur … I’ll simply preserve working exhausting, preserve pushing and never hand over,” Milutinov mentioned. “It was actually troublesome. I couldn’t discover my rhythm the entire recreation sadly and I ought to have been higher, after all.”

Nonetheless, regardless of a lackluster outing, Milutinov felt he had no cause to worry.

Bogdan Bogdanovic actually didn’t have one. Not even after posting averages of 19.1 factors, 4.6 assists and three.3 rebounds per recreation on an environment friendly 52.6 % taking pictures clip to gas Serbia to the Finals.

He additionally had 17 factors in opposition to Germany however his efforts nonetheless fell in need of gold.

However amid the confetti celebrating a rival’s victory, Bogdanovic had nothing however pleasure for his brothers.“I’m simply completely satisfied and pleased with these guys. Since day one, no person believed on this group and we’re simply working exhausting since day one and we achieved one thing I feel,” mentioned the Atlanta Hawk sharpshooter.

Lack of perception

Quite a lot of the shortage of perception centered on the absence of Nationwide Basketball Affiliation (NBA) champion Nikola Jokic. The Denver star begged off from taking part in within the World Cup resulting from fatigue after serving to the Nuggets win the 2023 NBA title.

Nevertheless, coach Svetislav Pesic trusted his core that consisted of Bogdanovic, Milutinov and Aleksa Avramovic to convey them far.And produce them far, they did.

Avramovic saved his greatest for final for the Serbians, scoring 21 factors within the loss in opposition to the world’s easiest however to no avail.

His efforts weren’t left unnoticed by captain Bogdanovic, because the latter lauded his complete squad for bringing the combat in opposition to the Germans.

“It’s all good. I’m actually completely satisfied concerning the guys. As I mentioned after we began the preparation, I’m simply completely satisfied that we responded that approach.”

Aside from the silver medal and brotherhood solid, the Serbians additionally punched their ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympics the place they could accomplish what they couldn’t in Manila and at last get the gold.

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