It was expected that the Montenegrin national basketball team would have its strongest lineup at the upcoming EuroBasket, that all the guys who have written the history of Montenegrin basketball in the last few years would be together, that it would be the last dance of a great generation, but that will not happen, because our selection will not be complete.
Coach Boško Radović announced today a larger list for the upcoming European Championship, which does not include Nikola Ivanović, Nemanja Radović, Dino Radončić and Petar Popović, while Bojan Dubljević's performance is questionable.
Ivanovic is a long-time point guard for the national team, and played at the 2013 and 2017 European Championships, as well as both World Basketball Championships, while he missed the previous continental championship due to injury. The Brescia player has been struggling with injuries for some time, so he will use the summer for a break and rehabilitation.
Radončić injured his meniscus. The winger participated in the 2017 and 2022 European Championships, as well as both World Cups.
Radović has since left Murcia and is continuing his career in Taiwan. He played at EuroBasket 2022 and both WorldBaskets, while Popović played at the previous EuroBasket and both WorldBaskets.
The wider list includes Luka Bogavac, Andrija Grbović and David Mirković, but, as coach Boško Radović says, there is little chance that they will appear at the championship due to commitments in the NCAA League.
"For various, objective reasons, we have dismissals. Some due to injuries, some due to family obligations. I have been in contact with the players throughout the year, some informed me earlier, some when the season ended. As far as I'm concerned - there are no big surprises. The players who have been the pillars of the national team these years are missing. On the other hand, we can make a respectable team from the players on the list, work hard on preparations and try to achieve a result. I think that getting through the group will be a great success. That is the goal. I know that all the players, along with the coaching staff, will do everything to get through the group. There are players who have experience playing in big games and big competitions. We will try to make up for the lack and, with a couple of experienced players and the new American Kyle Olman, try to create good chemistry and, with good work, achieve the goal," coach Boško Radović told "Vijesti".
Captain Bojan Dubljević's performance is questionable. The Nikšić native played at the 2013, 2017 and 2022 European Championships, as well as at both World Basketball Championships.
"We have been looking to establish contact with Bojan for some time. We will know tomorrow during the day whether he will be available or not," explained Radović.
He explained the situation with Bogavac, Mirković and Grbović.
"We have some players who are questionable. Bogavac, Mirković and Grbović are on the list, but the chances are higher that they will not play than that they will. They are in Montenegro, there is a problem with visas for America. In case they do not go to the USA, they should be on the list so that we can count on them. Mirković and Bogavac should have had a more serious role in the championship. This was a great chance for young players to be on the biggest stage. Bogavac made a great contribution in the qualifications, there are Mirković and Grbović. But the European Championship is not the end of basketball. It is a shame that these guys will not be available in the World Championship qualifications, whoever the coach is. But those who are there will fight for the highest goals," said Radović.
The selector will shorten the list in the coming days.
"In the next ten days, we will have a final list. We will also have returnees, younger players who have not been in the national team for some time. There will be experienced players, as well as younger players, who will carry a heavy burden in the national team in the future. We are not complaining. We have to fight with what we have," said Radović.
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Montenegro will prepare in Bar, and four matches are scheduled. Our team will welcome Israel in Bar, while they will play France, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Turkey. After the match in Istanbul, they will travel to Tampere for the championship.
Montenegro will play in the upcoming EuroBasket in Tampere, Finland, in Group B. Its rivals are Germany, Lithuania, Finland, Sweden and Great Britain. Four teams from the group will advance to the knockout phase, which will be played in Riga, but it is already clear that Montenegro has a very difficult task ahead of them.
"If some of the players we are missing were on the list, the road to the second phase would be a little easier. We are going to play like we have all these years. There have been ups and downs, good and bad games. We have always made it through the groups and met our goals. I assume it will be a little harder this time. Our goal should be to get through the group and that would be a great success for this team," concluded Radović.
The European Championship is scheduled to take place from August 27 to September 14 in Latvia, Finland, Poland and Cyprus. The knockout stage is played in the Latvian capital, Riga.
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