The Montenegrin national basketball team will conclude another European Championship qualifier today (17.30:XNUMX p.m.) in Stockholm with a match against Sweden.
Boško Radović's team is in control of the situation ahead of the final round, they are close to qualifying for EuroBasket, but no one in our team camp is thinking about any calculations. Everyone wants to win, to properly round off the qualifying cycle and secure a place in the European Championship in grand style.
On the eve of the final round, Montenegro and Germany are tied 3-2, and Sweden and Bulgaria are tied 2-3. The "Reds" can only remain without a Eurobasket visa if they lose in Sweden, all teams are tied 3-3, and ours has the weakest point difference. And Montenegro's point difference is plus nine, Bulgaria's minus 32, and Sweden's minus 33.
- There were a lot of unexpected results in this group, so the final outcome will be in the last round, and we are in a good position. We were not good against Germany, we failed in defense. Despite playing without a point guard, we scored 76 points, with missed shots. The defense was below par. Receiving 95 points from a team like Germany and expecting a good result is impossible. But that is behind us. We have a match with the Swedes ahead of us - a win takes us to the European Championship, everything else is calculations. We would not worry about that. We know what to do even if the game goes in an unwanted direction. The first and only option is to win - Radović is clear.
Unlike the match with Germany, Montenegro will be further weakened today, as they will be without Vladimir Mihailović, Marko Simonović and Luka Bogavac, who was injured on Thursday. Bojan Dubljević and Charlie Moore missed this cycle, and Igor Drobnjak and Marko Todorović were also absent. Against the Swedes, Nikola Ivanovic will be in the squad, who did not play in the duel with the current world champion.
- We have a "variegated" squad against Sweden as well. Mihailović stayed in Podgorica, against Germany he played beyond his capabilities. He has a lot of injuries and is very tired. Marko Simonović also stayed in Podgorica for family reasons. We are stronger for Nikola Ivanovic - explained the coach.
The coach says - the defense must be at a good level.
- We tried to prepare for this game. I expect us to play better, especially in defense, and I think that in attack we will be able to score the points we have in our hands. The defense must be at a much higher level than it was in Podgorica - said Radović.
Montenegro defeated Sweden in Podgorica 95:70 a year ago.
- We beat Sweden in Podgorica, but it's not the same team now. And we're not the same team we were in the game against them. We're expecting a tough and uncertain game - said the coach.
Dino Radončić expects the "reds" to show a reaction after the defeat against Germany.
- A decisive match against a team we beat in Podgorica by a big margin. But now these are two different teams. We have a tough match ahead of us and I hope we can bounce back after the defeat against Germany, which was not the best for us, and show pride - said the winger.
Radončić doesn't want to think about calculations either.
- When we finish the game we will know everything. It is important that we give our best. We also hope that the Germans will come out with the best possible lineup, to beat Bulgaria and do us a favor - concluded Dino Radončić.
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