For the first time in almost seven years, when they beat Albania in Tirana 113:73 in the Eurobasket qualifiers, the national basketball team scored three-digit points. Unfortunately, she broke the negative record, scored the highest number of points (so far the most allowed to Latvia and France - 100 each) and lost to Slovenia 104:100 in the second test before Mundobasket.
The game in attack, however, is encouraging before the trials in Manila, and the defense must be better. It is clear, however, that the chosen ones Boško Radović in the distant Philippines, even if they meet the USA selection in the second phase, they will not be on trials like in the "Stožice Arena", where they did not have a solution for Port of Dončić, who recorded 34 points, 14 assists and 13 rebounds.
- We could have done some things better, but when you have the best player in the world on the opposite side, you simply cannot do some things. For Luka, the whole world did not find scouting. When you play against him, you can only pray that he takes as few shots as possible or that he doesn't create enough for his teammates. We also made some stupid mistakes, which we will try to reduce from game to game - he pointed out Dino Radoncic for "News".
Last year at Eurobasket, the atmosphere in the ranks of the Montenegrin national team was great, and the players point out that it remained even when they joined Nikola Vucevic i Nikola Ivanovic.
- The team seems better to me than ever. The atmosphere is usually great, and Vučko came after many years and fit in perfectly. His presence is a big plus for us. We played against two favorites for the medal, we showed both the people and ourselves how much we can do. There were some mistakes, we can fix a lot of things, and the tournament in Georgia, which we play during the weekend, will serve us well for that.
The first wing of Montenegro played the best match in the national team jersey in Ljubljana - 21 points (14-9 field goal) and five rebounds. The former player of numerous Spanish clubs made excellent use of holes in Slovenia's defense, as the centers went high to Vucevic and Bojan Dubljević, and the Chicago ace gave him some great assists.
- A big advantage for us is that Vučko and Dubi are in the team, because it opens up a lot of space. I try to take advantage of that, because I know that often there are two players on them and a hole opens up. Someone has to be alone, I'm glad that they see that and choose the right moment to pass the ball - stressed Radončić.
Four years ago at the Mundobasket in China, the "reds" won 25th place. Now they have a real chance to be among the top 16, because they have an easier group than then with Lithuania, Mexico and Egypt. The key will be the first duel with the "Sombreros" at the start of Group D, on August 25.
- I believe in success in Manila. We have had continuity for the last few years, passing the group is a realistic goal, because I think we have the team to do nice things. But I would not like to put pressure on us. The first game is the most important, and we think we have seen as much as we can during these preparations. By the way, and Kendrick Perry the match with Slovenia was the first after two months, when he gets into the right rhythm it will be a big plus for us, because he showed at Eurobasket that he is a player who makes a difference - stressed Radončić.
It was known that the recent Zaragoza player would be a great asset in defense and on the rebound under both hoops, but he proved in Ljubljana that he can be dangerous in attack as well.
- I feel great. I worked well this summer, I wanted to come ready for the preparations, I think it will pay off. I did well against Slovenia, but I am aware that the next game could be a completely different story. The key, however, is that I sacrifice myself in every match as in the previous one.
A few weeks ago, the media announced that Radončić is a new Bayern player, where he will work with the coach with whom he made his debut at Real. Pablo Laso. There is no confirmation yet, but Dino clearly says between the lines that he will play for the first time for the club from the country where he was born in 1999, while his father Damir played in the handball Bundesliga.
- I think everyone already knows my next destination. It's a big challenge for me, I can't wait for it to start - concluded Dino Radončić.
I told Luka to slow down when he was hitting from 10-11 meters
In the summer of 2014, Radončić moved from the younger categories of Barcelona to Real, where one of his best friends was Dončić. In the same year (2015), they made their debut for the first team of the "royal club".
The great Slovenian conquered Europe both with Real and with the national team, went "across the pond" and enchanted America, and in Ljubljana after a long time he found himself on the field with his peer from the ranks of the "reds". This time they were in the role of rivals.
- It was unusual and strange for me, because for the first time in many years, when we were very small, we played against each other. I am aware, however, that there is no camaraderie on the field, he was like any other opponent when the match started. True, we chatted a few times when he started hitting from 10-11 meters, I told him to slow down a bit. It was nice to play against Luka, I hope we meet again.
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