Serbia after shedding to Germany within the Fiba World Cup gold medal sport. -MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.web
A silver medal on the again of a 6-2 report is one thing that 30 different groups that participated within the Fiba World Cup would have gladly traded their return tickets for. For Serbia, nevertheless, it was an achievement that got here second solely to what the staff felt it cast within the world showcase.
“We actually grew to become brothers on this match. We struggled, it was actually tough 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 remaining.
“We’ve been by way of so many difficulties with this group of men and we bought ourselves ready the place we might make our nation much more proud however sadly we didn’t make it.”
Solely blemish
Serbia seemed 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 towards Workforce USA, Serbia seemed each inch the favourite for the Naismith trophy.
Nonetheless, when he was wanted probably the most, Milutinov had his worst sport of the match, dropping solely two factors and 4 boards whereas drawing blanks from the sphere.
“That is basketball, generally unhealthy video games occur … I’ll simply maintain working exhausting, maintain pushing and never quit,” Milutinov mentioned. “It was actually tough. I couldn’t discover my rhythm the entire sport sadly and I ought to have been higher, after all.”
Nonetheless, regardless of a lackluster outing, Milutinov felt he had no cause to stress.
Bogdan Bogdanovic definitely didn’t have one. Not even after posting averages of 19.1 factors, 4.6 assists and three.3 rebounds per sport on an environment friendly 52.6 p.c capturing clip to gasoline Serbia to the Finals.
He additionally had 17 factors towards Germany however his efforts nonetheless fell wanting gold.
However amid the confetti celebrating a rival’s victory, Bogdanovic had nothing however satisfaction for his brothers.“I’m simply completely happy 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
Loads of the dearth of perception centered on the absence of Nationwide Basketball Affiliation (NBA) champion Nikola Jokic. The Denver star begged off from enjoying within the World Cup as a result of fatigue after serving to the Nuggets win the 2023 NBA title.
Nonetheless, coach Svetislav Pesic trusted his core that consisted of Bogdanovic, Milutinov and Aleksa Avramovic to deliver them far.And convey them far, they did.
Avramovic saved his greatest for final for the Serbians, scoring 21 factors within the loss towards the world’s highest however to no avail.
His efforts weren’t left unnoticed by captain Bogdanovic, because the latter lauded his complete squad for bringing the struggle towards the Germans.
“It’s all good. I’m actually completely happy in regards to the guys. As I mentioned after we began the preparation, I’m simply completely happy that we responded that method.”
Aside from the silver medal and brotherhood cast, the Serbians additionally punched their ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympics the place they may accomplish what they couldn’t in Manila and at last get the gold.
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