At the end of February, the Montenegrin men's basketball team defeated the Czech Republic (88:70) in Morača in the last round of qualification and qualified for the World Championship for the second time in history, where they made history half a year later.
In the capital of the Philippines, Manila, more precisely in the "Mall of Asia arena", Montenegro defeated Egypt and Mexico and, with a defeat against Lithuania, for the first time in history, qualified for the second stage, where an unforgettable match with the United States of America followed - Boško Radović's team led at halftime (38:37), only faltered in the finish, and for that game they received recognition from respected world media. The tournament ended with a victory over Greece, and was crowned with 11th place and qualifying for the Olympic Games.
The appearance at Mundobasket, as well as the obligations in 2024, are the reason for the New Year's interview with the coach, Boško Radović, who recently received the award of the Basketball Association of Montenegro for coach of the year, while the team was declared the most successful men's selection in the selection of the Montenegrin Olympic Committee .
- The year behind us is one of the most successful in the history of Montenegrin basketball. Obliges for further work. We had a good performance at the World Cup. We achieved three victories, suffered two defeats. We could have done better against Lithuania, but we secured the second phase before that match, so we didn't play as we should have. We played well against the Americans, narrowly losing in the finish. In the end, we defeated Greece and won 11th place - sums up Radović for "Vijesti" impressions from the Philippines.
The selector explains how the national team functioned.
- Everything starts with the preparations, it is crucial how they take place. We have a good atmosphere and good interpersonal relations. Not much can be done in 30 days of preparation, but with good work, relationship and atmosphere, we manage to get the most out of it. At the championship, we prepare, then we play the game. Then we have a day off, which is not a day off, because we are scouting, preparing the team. The players and coaching staff have a great responsibility towards everything. But it's nice to be in the company of the best national teams in the world. In 2019, I was an assistant coach to Zvezdan Mitrović, so I was aware of what it looks like. There was a better organization in Manila than in China.
Vucevic was a true example, both on and off the field
Montenegro had the strongest lineup in Manila (only Zoran Nikolić was missing), and after four years, the Chicago center Nikola Vučević was in the team. He finished the championship with an average of 19,8 points and 8,8 rebounds.
- Vučević was a real example with his behavior, his attitude towards his obligations on and off the field, just like everyone else. It fit into what we've been building for the last few years. I would especially apostrophize him, because he hasn't been around since 2019. He showed how responsible and great a player he is. He knew what his role was, what responsibility he had and everything turned out as it should - says Radović.
For the first time in history, our national team will play in the Olympic Games qualifiers. The tournament in the capital of Latvia, Riga, takes place from July 2 to 7, and the rivals in the group are Brazil and Cameroon. The hosts, Georgia and the Philippines are in the second group. Two selections from the group go to the semi-finals, the winner will advance to the OI.
- It is a big thing that we participate. If we are all healthy, if the opportunity arises, we will try to seek a place at the Olympic Games. We have good national teams waiting for us in Latvia, I assume that they will be in the strongest squad, and we know that Latvia is a force when it is in full squad, that Brazil has several NBA players and basketball players from the Euroleague. Georgia has a good generation. We have a difficult task.
Radović hopes that Vucevic will play in Latvia.
- I am in contact with him, we haven't talked about his performance yet, but I can see that he is interested in it. He inquired even before the draw, he was interested in which potential countries were the hosts of the tournament. I assume they will be available, but I can't say anything for sure.
Before the performance in Riga, our selection awaits the qualification "window" for Eurobasket 2025. The rivals at the start are Germany away (February 22) and Sweden at home (February 25). Bulgaria is also in the group, and three selections go to the championship.
- That's what I'm focused on and that's what I'm doing. The group is difficult, no team should be underestimated. Germany will be with players from the Euroleague and is the first favorite. Sweden is a serious team, there are good players in Spain, they are awkward, they play basketball with a lot of transition, which does not suit us.
In the Eurobasket qualifiers, Radović will be able to count on all players, except for Vučević. The team is in mature playing years, so the coach announces a gradual rejuvenation of the selection.
- There are several guys who won a bronze medal at the European Youth Championship in 2022. Luka Bogavac is in SC Derbi, Andrija Grbović in Budućnost, Fedor Žugić in Germany... We have young David Mirković. All of them must be counted. He will be on a wider list, and for preparations it depends on his form. What will surely happen is a gradual rejuvenation. We have a lot of basketball players who are of mature playing age. It is up to the young people to work, they are counted on, they are the future of Montenegrin basketball. There are five or six guys who are close to the national team - reveals Radović.
In the center of attention is 17-year-old Mirković, who is predicted to have a brilliant career.
- Mirković is our most talented player. He is getting more and more minutes in Derby, which is pleasing, encouraging and good for his growth and development. Besides him, we also have Bogavac. I hope that they will develop well and properly in the club. As for Mirković - he has just started. We know that he is talented, that he is the perspective of Montenegrin basketball. And it is up to him to do well, to fight for a place in the club, and the national team is waiting for him with open arms - said Radović.
The work with the younger selections started to grind a little
Radović warns - the work with the younger selections in Montenegro has started to grind. And young players represent the future of Montenegrin basketball.
- I took over the coordination of the younger selections in the Association, so that I can deal with it more when I have no obligations with the national team. I visited the northern and southern regions - I am not happy with how it looks, especially in the north, where there are fewer and fewer children. Migrations and centralization are happening. In the south, you have mass, so the clubs and the Federation must come up with a strategy and a plan for working with the younger selections - explains the selector.
The young selection is in the A division, the cadets have been relegated to B, the juniors are waiting for the outcome with Russia - if FIBA extends the sanctions against "Zbornaj", then Montenegro will play in the A division.
- Rarely have we not had junior, cadet and young selection in the A division. The A division is a big stage, the B is not. Work with the younger selections started to grind a little in Montenegro. There are clubs that have a system and it works, and we also have a lot of clubs where it doesn't fit as it should. That's my view. There are also objective reasons - in the north they have problems with halls, appointments and organization. The financial resources they receive are not resources they can seriously work with. We all need to get involved.
Radović warns:
- The emphasis should be on the healing of the younger selections, because I am afraid that when this generation that is playing now and is on the biggest stage leaves, there will be a gap. Both playing and results. As soon as possible, we must consolidate and deal with younger selections together. To look for basketball players who will make a career and be players for the national team. That's my goal. Clubs and the Association have to deal a little more with younger selections. If the sanctions against Russia are not lifted, the juniors will play in the A division, so we will have only cadets in B. And the cadets are the most sensitive and that's where the biggest work is needed - said selector Boško Radović.
BEING A SELECTOR IS AN HONOR AND A PLEASURE
In 2019, Boško Radović succeeded Zvezdan Mitrović on the selection bench. Before that, he collaborated with Duško Vujošević, Dejan Radonjić and Bogdan Tanjević, and he led junior teams.
He crowned good results in the previous period with a contract until the end of Eurobasket 2025.
- Since the first day, it has been a great honor and pleasure for me to be the coach of my country. It didn't go well at first. We lost to Great Britain in the qualifiers for the European Championship, we didn't qualify, and then we went to the championship when sanctions were imposed on Russia. There were more good than bad moments. We function well, we know who is doing what. I hope that we will maintain the continuity of appearances in major competitions. I am satisfied with the conditions and people in the Alliance. I am cooperating with the third president - first I cooperated with Veselin Barović, then with Nikola Peković, now with Jelena Dubljević. We are trying to find a common language in the interest of basketball and the A national team - said Radović.
Bonus video:
