Major sports competitions are over, and so is the e-sports scene. This year's edition of the eEurocup, the second most important tournament in the NBA2K title, has ended, where Montenegrin representative Dejan Raičević, in his debut season, achieved remarkable success and won third place.
Although this was his first season not only in the eEurocup but also in such a big competition, Raičević excelled from the very beginning, showed exceptional play and quickly established himself as one of the main favorites of the tournament.
"I am more than satisfied with what I have achieved. Honestly, when it all started, my goal was just to show myself in the best possible light - to show a solid game in my debut season and leave a good impression. I was not thinking about placement, or the title, but about giving my best and gaining experience. However, as the rounds progressed and I recorded victories, my confidence grew and I began to believe that I could go far. Third place in the end is a great result, especially when you consider that the competition was extremely strong and that many participants already had experience from major tournaments. For me, this season was a huge step forward and confirmation that I belong to a higher level of competition," Raičević, who was undefeated in the first ten rounds, said in an interview for Vijesti. When asked how good games on a virtual court can sometimes create pressure, he said:
"The pressure increases with every win because everyone expects the maximum from you. When you're at the top, every opponent has an extra motive to knock you down, and you have to prove from round to round why you're where you are. Good games are encouraging, but at the same time they create additional weight. I've learned to deal with it, but it's certainly one of the challenges in e-sports that people often underestimate," admits Raičević.
Thanks to his third-place play-off, he will participate in a higher-ranked competition than the eEurocup - Cyber Euroleague next season. The fact that he played great games, got to know his opponents and the way big tournaments are played will help him prepare for the next season.
"This season has definitely served as excellent preparation for me - both in terms of results and mentally. I have become familiar with the competition system, gained experience with different styles of play and learned how to react in decisive matches. The next season starts in the fall, the exact date has not yet been confirmed, but I am already entering the preparation period because the Cyber Euroleague is a more serious challenge and requires an even higher level of play and focus," claims Vijesti's interviewee, who, unlike other participants who chose well-known clubs, decided to spend his first season in a major competition in the Buducnost jersey. Despite the good matches he played on the virtual field, the support of KK Buducnost was lacking, but Raičević continued to achieve success. However, the question is whether he will play the biggest competition in the NBA2K title with the same club.
"Honestly, my wish was to show through Buducnost that our country can also have serious representatives on the e-sports map of Europe. However, when support is lacking, one has to think about the next steps. I haven't made a final decision yet, but I am open to cooperation with teams that have a serious approach and that value effort and results. I would like to remain loyal to the blue and whites, but it no longer depends on me," he explains.
Summer is always a preparatory period for athletes as they prepare for the new season. They play friendly matches, go to training sessions... Raičević reveals what it's like in e-sports, and whether there will be any tournaments during the summer that will help him prepare for the toughest competition that is coming up.
"After a tough season in the eEurocup, I feel most comfortable with a break right now. It was a long and exhausting year, so it's important to take a break to clear my head and enter the new phase fresh and motivated. However, I won't completely forget about the game, because I'll soon be competing in a new big competition - the European Championship within the same organization, where I'll be representing our country, and the feeling of representing Montenegro gives each match extra weight and a completely different motivation. That's why the preparations will be focused on individual work - improving my own game, mental preparation and analysis of potential opponents."
"The national team jersey carries a special responsibility and pride, and that is why it is my absolute priority this summer," Raičević concluded.
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