Milica Jovanović has always given her all for years in the jersey of the Montenegrin national basketball team. No representative action, no gathering, no major competition could be imagined without the player from Nikšić.
But her national team career is coming to an end, and Jovanović will play her last games for the national team at the upcoming European Championship. The girl who participated in all European Championships will say goodbye to the national team in June.
"My eighth European Championship. I'm proud of that fact. I talked a little about it with the coach, but I think my plans and hers match, so this will be my last European Championship and my last appearance for the national team," said Jovanović at yesterday's press conference.
Jovanović once again emphasized how much playing for the national team means to her.
"I came to every gathering and every championship very grateful, excited and happy, because I was wearing the national team jersey," the basketball player from Hungarian Miskolc is honest.
The European Championship is scheduled for June 18-29, and Montenegro will play its matches in Brno. The group includes the host Czech Republic, current European champion Belgium and Portugal. The two teams from the group advance to the knockout stage.
"This year we are playing in Brno against the hosts Czech Republic, current champions Belgium and Portugal. Portugal qualified for the European Championship with a win against Serbia, which shows how much they have progressed and how well they are playing. On the other hand, we are without several players who are injured or will not be there for personal reasons, such as Dragana Živković, Anastasija Drobnjak and Ksenija Šćepanović. We will certainly miss them in the preparations and the championship," said Jovanović.
Montenegro will prepare in Bar. Our selection will have its first tests on May 20 and 21 against Serbia on Zlatibor. This will be followed by the Games of the Small Countries of Europe (IMZE) in Andorra, from May 26 to 31. Montenegro will play Slovenia on June 11, and two days later, they will have their last test before Eurobasket in Bologna, against Italy.
"I believe that the younger players will use the preparation period, friendly matches, the Games of Small Countries of Europe and the European Championship to prove themselves as best they can, progress and play as best they can. May they progress and that each next action of the national team will be better and better for our country," said Jovanović.
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