The basketball players of Brazil defeated Montenegro today (81:72) and registered a victory at the start of the Olympic qualification tournament in Riga.
Montenegro led from the start, and had the advantage for the last time at 5:39 to the end of the match when Nikola Vučević scored for 67:65. After that, Meindl hit a three-pointer and an additional free throw, Brazil took the lead 69:67 and eventually reached the triumph.
"We had a difficult period before coming to Riga. Until seven days ago, we were without a playmaker in training. Marcelinho, Dos Santos and Neto were out of the field, so it was difficult to prepare for this tournament," the coach began his presentation after the match of Brazil, Aleksandar Petrović.
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Petrović then revealed the tactics for today's match.
"For this game, we focused on Kendrick Perry and Nikola Vučević. And in the end, we did a great job, although in the first 20 minutes everything went in favor of Montenegro. For me and the coaching staff, this was a very difficult game, because we had to to use players who are ready to play solid basketball. In the second half, we found the right five, with Bruno, Dias, Gi Santos, and it was a matter of time when we would turn it around. It was a difficult game, but I am happy about the victory," he said is Petrović.
Brazil rests tomorrow and plays against Cameroon on Thursday.
"We have time to prepare for the second game. I think the team will grow from match to match," said Petrović.
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