Why not? Montenegro against Lithuania for first place and a big step towards the quarterfinals

Manila derby day, group first place day - why not? Today (14.30:XNUMX p.m., live on TV Vijesti), Montenegrin basketball players are chasing a triumph against Lithuania, which would also be a big step towards the unrealistic dreams of the Mundobasket quarterfinals.

The ideal and fully expected scenario for the Montenegrin basketball players was to defeat Mexico and Egypt in the first two rounds and thus secure a historic placement in the second phase of Mundobasket.

Tim Boško Radović fulfilled the goal without any problems, and now he is chasing a victory that would mean that he did the group stage perfectly - what a result that would be for our selection...

The victories over the outsiders in the group were convincing, but with oscillations that shouldn't happen in the derby, because it is clear that whatever composition Lithuania comes to the World Cup (and now it is quite weakened), it uses every chance.

- This is not enough for Lithuania - he said after the triumph over Egypt Nikola Ivanovic and made it clear that Montenegro has to show something more.

NBA duel: Vucevic vs. Valančunas

The city made famous by super heavyweight boxing legends in 1975 Muhammad Ali i Joe Fraser, almost half a century later will enjoy the basketball showdown between two NBA aces. Manila is ready for a big clash - Nikola Vucevic against Jonas Valančunas.

- I know Jonas very well, we had a lot of fights - in national team matches, but especially in the NBA league - Vucevic said during a conversation with journalists in the "Mall of Asia Arena" mix zone in the capital of the Philippines.

Throughout his long NBA career, our basketball player has had countless duels with the best centers in the world, and he says about the Lithuanian and New Orleans forward:

- Surely he is one of the hardest centers I have played with. He is strong, but also skilled, smart, he has a really great career both in the NBA and in the national team. I always look forward to matches with him - added Vučević.

However, the Group D derby will not be just a clash of hoop giants.

- I watched Lithuania against Egypt. I think it's still a good team, regardless of missing some key players. It is a very experienced team, physically strong, we know that a difficult match awaits us, but fortunately both selections have already secured the second stage and now we can fight for the 1st place in the group. We have to play better than in the first two matches - said the Chicago Bulls basketball player.

Peri: We mustn't lose too many balls

Match number three at Mundobasket - it's the least pressure, but the stakes are huge in the European clash in Manila.

- The goal was to go to the second stage, we succeeded. Now we have to keep playing well. We know we can do even better, mistakes must be corrected - said the playmaker Kendrick Perry.

Against Mexico (91:71) and Egypt (89:74), it seems that Montenegro played exactly as much as it needed to win without drama.

- We recorded two victories, but not everything was ideal. We have a lot of self-confidence, we have to be concentrated and oppose Lithuania in the right way - said the American.

Lithuania is a well-known opponent.

- The Lithuanians are aggressive, I think it is crucial that we respond to them in rebounds, but also that we don't lose too many balls, which was the case in the first two matches at the World Cup. I made a lot of mistakes and it is important that we are focused - added Peri.

He is an optimist and a member of the professional staff Vladimir Todorovic.

- We are where we wanted to be and we are really happy about our placement in the second phase. A duel with a great national team awaits us and a very demanding game, the most demanding so far. We have to be at a higher level than we have been so far in order to have a ready response to everything that Lithuania plays - concluded Todorović.