The basketball team of Montenegro is slowly coming to the end of the preparations before the historic performance in the qualification for the Olympic Games. After two weeks of work in Podgorica, and participation in the Akropolis Cup in Greece, tomorrow our selection will travel to Riga, where the next week they will have qualifying matches to go to the world's largest exhibition of athletes.
Before leaving for Latvia, the Montenegrin representative, Nikola Vučević, clearly says - the team is not under pressure to qualify for the Olympic Games, but is aware that it has a historic chance.
"I have been in the national team since 2011. This is the first time we have the opportunity to go to the Olympic Games. A great chance for us - we are going with the desire to qualify for the Olympic Games. We are aware that it will not be easy - there are strong teams waiting for us in Riga "Whoever participates in those tournaments is there for a reason," said Vucevic at today's press briefing.
Montenegro will play the first game of the tournament on Tuesday (14:30 p.m.) against Brazil, while a day later, at the same time, it will be the rival Cameroon. Two selections from the group go to the semi-finals and cross the group with Latvia, Georgia and the Philippines. The winner of the tournament goes to Paris.
"We have to be maximally concentrated, with great energy, to play the best we can. Our first goal is to pass the group stage. When you enter the semifinals, for one match, you never know. As for quality - Latvia is the favorite. "Brazil is also excellent, the other teams are more or less equal, we can play with everyone. We have to play at the highest possible level, concentrated all 40 minutes, in order to be an equal rival," believes the Chicago ace.
Montenegro has been weakened this summer. Bojan Dubljević, Nikola Ivanović, Nemanja Radović, Marko Todorović, Vladimir Mihailović, Zoran Nikolić, Fedor Žugić and Jovan Kljajić are missing.
"We lack experienced players, who have been in the national team for many years. Surely their presence would mean something to us. But, this is an opportunity for younger players, or some who had less playing time at the World Cup, to use the opportunity, to show what they can do. Surely are additionally motivated to take advantage of the opportunity presented to them. We, who were in the top five last year, are here, which can mean a lot. We hope that the younger forces will bring us the necessary energy to play at a high level," he said Vucevic.
Vucevic is satisfied with how the preparatory period went.
"We all came motivated. There is good energy, a good atmosphere. In Athens against Greece, we entered the match weaker, against the Bahamas it looked better. Lots of positive things. We can go to Riga with positive ambitions," said the Chicago basketball player.
Relief can be Montenegro's chance, because placing in the qualifications itself is a great success. And if the opportunity arises, then our selection will certainly take advantage of it.
"We don't have the pressure that we are the main favorites there, that we have to win that tournament and go to the Olympic Games. But again, we believe that we can. We are going to Riga to enjoy ourselves, to do our best, to fight. This is a unique opportunity, I think it's every athlete's dream to go to the Olympics. You can see that the Americans are skipping the Olympic Games. That shows how big a competition it is for us. We are aware that, but we need to balance - to enjoy and play, and on the other hand, to be aware that it is a big thing and to approach it seriously," said Vucevic.
LEBRON AND BRONY ON THE SAME TEAM - AN AMAZING STORY
Vucevic also referred to the NBA draft, i.e. the fact that starting next season, for the first time in the history of this league, father and son - LeBron and Brony James - will play in the same team in the Los Angeles Lakers.
"It's an incredible thing. This is LeBron's 21st year in the NBA. He's been playing at such a high level for so long. He's been the best for many years, and now he's at the very top. Hats off to him - he's been playing at such a high level for so long. It's just unbelievable - not only in terms of the physical aspect, but also in the mental aspect, that he has such a desire and will to play after so many years and so much success. It's an incredible story - his son is now in the same team. Maybe he will play together on the field, which he will to happen in the NBA for the first time. A very nice thing - I congratulate them on that. I have nothing to say but - congratulations," said Baranin.
Vucevic continued to praise LeBron James.
"Lebron is a real example of how a real athlete should live, approach sports. We can comment on his successes and failures, but his dedication, desire and motivation are incredible. You can see and feel that on the field at every moment," explained Vucevic.
LEAVING CHICAGO? THERE ARE ALL THE TIME RUMORS
In the previous days, American journalists moved Vučević from Chicago. However, our national team member says that he does not expect to change midfield this summer.
"There is nothing special, there are always rumours, there is always something being said. They are mostly rumors spread by journalists, they have their own ideas. As for my communication with the club - I am staying there, I have two more years of my contract, so we will see. Changes are always possible, but I don't expect them this summer," Nikola Vučević concluded.
Bonus video:
