Alitus 2011, Jesenice 2013, Cluj 2017 and Tbilisi 2022 were the cities where the Montenegrin basketball story at the European Championships began - now it's time for Tampere. The difference compared to each of the previous editions of EuroBasket is the impression that our national team flew to the big competition with never lower expectations.
There were many dismissals and injuries, the coach Bosko Radovic is at the end with the legend Nikola Vučević took 11 more warriors to Finland, who will have something to say on the big stage - this was also shown by the preparatory period during which Montenegro was not outplayed even by the greats.
And, the giants, the current world champions, will be the first rival - Germany, starting at 15.30:XNUMX PM in the "Nokia Arena", a hall that is primarily known for ice hockey, where NHL teams have also played matches.
- It is unnecessary to talk about the quality of Germany, perhaps only Serbia plays with greater ease, said Radović from northern Europe.
Franz Wagner, Denis Schroeder, Andreas Obst, Daniel Tice, Johannes Feutman, Johannes Timan and many other masters will lead Germany - all of them are well-known names and the team that celebrated against Montenegro in the round of 16 of the last EuroBasket, as well as in both matches during the qualifications for this European Championship.
- This is a very talented team in both directions - emphasized Radović.
5
of mutual matches were played by Montenegro and Germany - our national team won the first two (2020, 2021), and the rival in the next three (2022, 2024 and 2025)
What can Montenegro do against such a rival?
- The goal is to start the championship well, to put the things we agreed on in the match preparation into practice on the field. All of this means being in the game as long as possible, playing well, preparing from game to game, getting better and better and winning - the coach is clear.
Kajl Olmen, Djordje Jovanovic, Balša Zivanović, Emir Hadžibegović i Bojan Tomasevic They will be appearing in a major competition for the first time - some of them don't even have many minutes in the national team.
- We have had a short rotation from the beginning. Maybe some of the debutants, who are certainly young for this championship, have improved a little. We managed to raise their willingness to take some minutes, but I stand by the fact that we do not yet have a large rotation for the championship - Radović underlined.
DON'T MISS IT
After Germany, there will be a duel with another giant - Lithuania, and then with the hosts Finland, Sweden and Great Britain. The four best teams will advance to the knockout phase, which will be played in Riga.
- We will play to win against both the Germans and the Lithuanians, even though it will be very difficult. However, we are looking for our chance to advance from the group stage in the match against the Finns - Radović is clear.
Questionable for today's match is Vladimir Mihailović, while Germany will have to do without a coach Aleksa Mumbrua who ended up in the hospital due to an acute infection.
Fiba now sees Montenegro in 13th place
First in 18th place, then 14th, and now in 13th position before the start of the tournament - Fiba believes that Montenegro will repeat its best placement from 2017 and 2022 at EuroBasket.
"It sounds crazy that these guys will be legitimate candidates for a place in the round of 16 when they will not have Bojan Dubljević, Jovan Kljajić, Nikola Ivanović, Petar Popović, Nemanja Radović, Dino Radončić, Luka Bogavac, David Mirković and Andrija Grbović. We are excited to see what Olmen brings to this team," writes the Fiba website.
The top three favorites have not changed - they are Serbia, Germany and France.
Montenegro at Eurobasket
Montenegro - Germany (today, 15.30:XNUMX p.m.)
Lithuania - Montenegro (Friday, 15.30)
Montenegro - Finland (Saturday, 19.30:XNUMX p.m.)
Sweden - Montenegro (September 1, 12.30:XNUMX)
Montenegro - Great Britain (September 3, 12.30)
Bonus video:
