We live for matches like this

The moment of decision has arrived - the Montenegrin basketball players will play a key match against the Czech Republic tonight (19 p.m.) to qualify for the World Cup.

Tim Boško Radović has already missed two chances to win the championship in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia, because he lost in "Morača" against Lithuania in November (65:56), and then three days ago against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Tuzla (74:68). None of those opportunities, however, were anywhere near as likely as tonight's, because "red" will play against a written-off rival, who does not even have the playing quality to be able to conquer "Morača". The only thing that does not work for Montenegro is that it is under imperative, and the pressure often knows how to "tie" both hands and feet...

- We expect victory. It will be a difficult and challenging match, because the Czech Republic is a very good team. I hope that the focus and energy will be better than against Bosnia and Herzegovina, because this is our home field and with the help of the fans we will achieve victory - Emir Hadžibegović pointed out.

The wing basketball player of SC Derby is hoping for a full "Morači".

- The fans are our sixth player, and the fact that we are playing in Podgorica will certainly mean their support. We invite them to come in as many as possible.

Montenegro began its journey to the Far East in the pre-qualifications in August 2021, when it defeated Iceland and Denmark twice in the "Bemax Arena". In two rounds of qualification, they recorded three away victories (Hungary, Portugal and the Czech Republic), at home they defeated the great France, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Portuguese, and tonight they will have a zicer against the Czech Republic for the second consecutive participation in the world championships. Yes, he is not in the team Bojan Dubljević, Marko Simonović i Marko Todorović, as well as the injured Vladimir Mihailović i Dino Radončić, but it is clear that this Radović squad, at least in terms of names, is of better quality than the team that will oppose him tonight.

- When the qualifications started, we wanted to find ourselves in this situation, to decide on going to the World Championship on our own ground. I think that with the games in this cycle, which we started in the pre-qualifications, we deserved to win against the Czech Republic to go to Mundobasket - said the first assistant coach, Vladimir Todorovic.

Montenegro and the Czech Republic will play for the 3rd time. The team of then head coach Bogdan Tanjević won 2017:88 at Eurobasket 75 in Cluj, Romania, and on November 11 in Pardubice, Boško Radović's men triumphed 65:56.

The "Reds" were exhausted three nights ago against BiH in Tuzla, Kendrick Perry played 37 and a half minutes, so fatigue could be an issue.

- There wasn't enough time, but the importance of the match will certainly erase any fatigue. We will be ready, we hope for a lot of help from the stands and that energy that will give us the strength to play a good game - emphasized the 38-year-old from Nikšić.

Three days ago in Pardubice, the Czechs started the match against France phenomenally, leading 7:21 in the 3th minute, but they didn't question anything until the end. They lost 72:59, with a fantastic game by the guy who will be number 1 in this year's NBA draft, Victor Webmanyama - 22 points, 17 rebounds, six blocks and four steals. Compared to that match, the Israeli Ronen Ginzburg's team will be weaker for captain Vojteh Hruban and Martin Kžiž, and there are only three players from Eurobasket (Patrick Auda, Ondžej Balvin and Tomas Kizlink).

- Analyzing the Czech matches, especially the last one against France, we saw that they punish every drop in concentration and disorganized defense. The quality of their game is in transition, they attack space and want to get open shots or easy points as soon as possible. An organized game in attack and defense for all 40 minutes is the answer to them. We respect them, we know that they are a quality team, and they come at a very important moment for us. We are aware of all that, but I am convinced that we will react in the right way.

In the deciding match, Montenegro will be stronger for the first playmaker Nikola Ivanovic, who scored nine points in Red Star's loss to Alba on Friday night, and already joined the national team yesterday.

- Ivanovic would be a reinforcement for every national team in Europe, not to mention ours. It is certain that his arrival and his energy mean a lot to us, above all his quality, so we are happy about that - concluded Todorović.

If it loses, Montenegro could still go to the Mundobasket by a "small door", but only if Hungary wins over Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sombatelj. Chosen former assistant Luka Pavićević in the national team of Montenegro, Stojan Ivković, they can reach the WC only if the "reds" lose, and they beat the "dragons" with a minimum of 41 points.

Entrance to "Morača" is free

In deciding the match for placement in the World Championship, Montenegrin basketball players should play in front of full stands.

The Basketball Association of Montenegro has decided that there will be no entrance fee for the match with the Czech Republic, which starts at 19 p.m. Because of this, as well as the importance of the duel, it is logical to expect that "Morača" will be full of holes.

Captain Hruban got a "free", Czechs with five internationals

The expedition from the Czech Republic arrived in Podgorica two days ago, and the team does not have Vojteh Hruban and Martin Kžiž, who played against France.

- There was an agreement with captain Hruban that he would only play against France, and Kžiž got a virus and we didn't want to risk him being with the team - said coach Ronen Ginzburg.

The Israeli expert brought seven players from the domestic championship to Montenegro - Viktor Pulpan, Rihard Balint (Brno), Ondže Švec and David Bem (USK Prague), Petar Šafarčik (Kvis Pardubice), Jakub Slavik (Opava) and Luboš Kovaž (Nimburk). .

There are also five international players in the team: Tomas Kizlink (Limoges, France), Ondzej Hanzlik (Girona, Spain), Ondzej Balvin (Prometheus, Ukraine), Patrik Auda (Yokohama B-Corsers, Japan) and James Karnik (Lyons Geneva, Switzerland). .