Simonović: We have nothing to lose against the USA

The goal was achieved - the Montenegrin basketball team qualified for the second stage of Mundobasket and achieved the highest result in history.

After the initial victory over Mexico (91:71), and the triumph over Egypt (89:74), which secured the second stage, Boško Radović's team lost yesterday to Lithuania (91:71) in the first place derby.

The attack against the Lithuanians did not work, there were many missed shots, and the Baltic selection was better in the jump, so it deservedly celebrated.

"We opened the game in a superb way, we resisted in the first quarter, but we fell in the second. In the second half, we failed to find a rhythm and play against their aggressive defense, we missed open shots. It's not easy to play against a team like Lithuania - they have a system that they have been building for years, they are a solid team, organized. We just have to focus on the next matches, we will try to prepare as well as possible. First of all, let's rest and be focused on the next two matches," said Marko Simonović, who opened the match with the Lithuanians very well, scored 11 in the first quarter, and finished the match with 13 points.

The second phase and two more matches follow, the first of which is on Friday against the United States of America. The rival on Sunday will be Greece or New Zealand. The duel with the Americans is the biggest challenge, perhaps the biggest game in the history of Montenegrin basketball.

"We have nothing to lose against the USA. They, along with several other national teams, play the best basketball in the championship. We will do our best, we will try to do our best and finish the match in the best possible way," said Simonović.

USA did not come to Mundobasket with the strongest team. But, in whatever composition they appear at the championships, the Americans are the first candidate for the gold medal, we are talking about NBA players.

"That's 12 NBA players. All of them are physically fit, dominant compared to the others. America has always been one step ahead of everyone in terms of physical fitness. We will try to put up as much resistance as possible and do our best to enter the game as well as possible." , said the Montenegrin representative.

Simonović had the opportunity to play against the Americans in the NBA league. There is also Nikola Vucevic, star of Chicago.

"I think mine and Vucevic's experience can help, but all players have to be focused. Players who haven't had the chance to play until now might get a chance in that match, because we have nothing to lose," concluded the former Chicago basketball player.