Preparations for the European Cadet Championship, which will be held in Skopje from August 12 to 20, have officially begun.
Young Montenegrin basketball players gathered in Podgorica and will train in Tivat.
"After a break of two years caused by the pandemic, without official competitions for younger categories, the A division awaits us. There are 16 of the best selections in Europe, so we also have exceptional competition," says selector Rajko Krivokapić.
Montenegro will play in a group with North Macedonia, Spain and Greece. The Macedonians are the hosts, and Spain and Greece are basketball superpowers, so it is clear how difficult a task awaits the Montenegrins.
"When we talk about expectations, it should be mentioned that players of this age are performing at the official European Championship for the first time. The reason for this is again the pandemic. We will certainly try to make up for the inexperience of playing in such competitions with great fighting spirit, sacrifice and the highest level of motivation. The main goal is survival in the A division, which is not easy to achieve and have continuity, considering that the European championships are played every year," Krivokapić points out.
It is planned to play several preparatory matches.
Two duels are scheduled against Finland, two with the selection of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
"During the preparations, we will also try to get as much information as possible about the opponents who are waiting for us, especially at the very start of the competition. During the competition, be sure to prepare the matches in the best possible way and do our best so that this selection achieves the best possible result."
Aleksa Ašanin (Sutjeska), Krsto Andrijašević (Panther), Nikola Jevrić (Morača), Aljoša Drašković (Lovćen), Andrija Jošović (Junior), Maruan Čičić (SC Derbi), Luka Kovačević (Mediterranean), Vladimir Komnenović (Mediterranean), Sefćet Bećiragić (SC Derbi), Ilija Škuletić (BKM), Luka Đurović (SC Derbi), David Mirković (SC Derbi), Marko Radunović (Podgo) are on the preparation list. rica), Vuk Šćepanović (Italy), Stefan Ćetković (Italy), Batrić Velimirović (Italy), Lazar Smolović (Jedinstvo), Mihailo Subotić (Mega).
"We will be deprived of the help of Andrija Vujačić and Bodin Radulović, who would certainly be helpful in this demanding action," concludes the selector.
Krivokapić will be assisted in his work by trainers Dražen Antičević and Vladimir Vuković, and physiotherapist Lazar Bojić.
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