Exactly 35 days after the first match at Mundobasket, Montenegrin basketball players started preparations for a hot basketball summer in hot Bar.
At the first gathering, coach Boško Rradović could count on 14 players, while NBA star Nikola Vučević, then Unikaha point guard Kendrik Peri and the new center of Crvena zvezda Marko Simonović will join his teammates later.
Until the trip to the Philippines, where they will play in a group with Lithuania, Mexico and Egypt at the World Cup, our boys will train in Bar - with short "excursions" to France and Georgia, where test matches await them.
At today's press conference, selector Radović revealed that the center Zoran Nikolić asked to skip these Montenegrin actions, as well as that Fedor Žugić will not go to the Mundobsket 99 percent due to injury.
"Nikolić played great in the qualifiers, perhaps some of the best games of his career. That's why he was among the safer travelers for Manila. After several conversations with him, he nevertheless decided to dedicate himself to individual work, in order to make a step forward in his career next season," explained Radović.
He adds that he tried to convince Nikolić that he should be with the national team, but...
"Especially after his important role in the qualifiers and the fact that in the coming years he will be one of the holders in that position. It is his decision, although I respect it, I am sorry that it happened that way," added Radović.
When it comes to rivals at the World Cup, it is clear that Montenegro will look for a chance against Mexico and Egypt, regardless of the fact that Lithuania will not be in the strongest lineup.
"The group is such that we can play. There is a lot of talk about dismissals in Lithuania, but in any composition it is an extremely serious selection, and we will look for our chance in the remaining two matches. The most important thing is that we leave a good impression there, that we look like we did at the Eurobasket and that we achieve perhaps more victory than in China, when we celebrated only against Japan," said Radović.
From the first day, Radović can count on Nikola Ivanović, Igor Drobnjak, Balša Živanović, Luka Bogavac, Petr Popović, Vladimir Mihailović, Dino Radončić, Andrija Slavković, Emir Hadžibegović, Andrija Grbović, Aleksa Ilić, Nemanja Radović, Vasilij Baćović and Bojan Dubljević.
Captain Dubi: Nice group, we have a chance for a good result
And this summer, one of the most important assets of Montenegro will be captain Bojan Dubljević.
"We couldn't wait to start preparations. Last summer we created a great atmosphere, and now we have hard and hard work waiting for us in Bar - I believe we will prepare as much as possible for the championship. As long as our health supports us, there are no injuries, and I believe it will be great," said Dubljević.
He says about the rivals at Mundobasket...
"I think it's a nice group - it's not easy or difficult. Still, everyone plays basketball at a high level, but I think we have a chance to get a good result," Dubljević has no doubts.
Ivanovic: Better than in China
Montenegro will appear at Mundobasket for the second time - after China 2019, when it was 25th overall out of 32 selections.
"It's similar to four years ago - long journey, distant country, similar climate. It wasn't ideal in China, but after that we did a lot of good things and I believe we can play better in Manila," says our point guard Nikola Ivanovic.
He thinks that the group is perhaps easier than then.
"I hope we can win the first two games against Mexico and Egypt," Ivanovic concluded.
Serbia comes to Podgorica, a test with France away
Before the start of the championship, Montenegro will play four test matches - against France away on August 2, then against Serbia in the "Bemax Arena" three days later and finally in Georgia against the hosts and Iran.
Bonus video:
