Radović: There are many things we need to change, but we don't have time, we will try manfully and bravely to get through the group

Three games, three defeats, each one convincing. Unlike those with Germany and Lithuania, Montenegrin basketball coach Boško Radović saw at least some progress in his boys.

"Another defeat, but somewhere we showed some reaction compared to the previous games," said Radović at a press conference after Montenegro's defeat to Finland (85:65) in the 3rd round of EuroBasket.

He emphasized that "old ills" are still there.

"Yes, which are hurting us a lot, and that is turnovers - against Lithuania there were 26, now 20. Much better teams than us could hardly cope with that. In the last three matches, including the friendly against Turkey, we have had 20+ turnovers," added Radović and continued:

"Now we've added nine missed shots, many technical fouls and three or four fouls on three-point shots, but we've still shown some will and desire at times and that's kind of our reality."

Montenegro showed practically nothing during the three opening rounds, and perhaps it was difficult to expect anything from the decimated team that traveled to Tampere.

"We came with a shortened squad, with several players who cannot play at this level at the moment, which is no excuse. And maybe it is when you have a third team that changes three or four players on Vučević - it's not easy, and we don't have an adequate replacement," Radović emphasized.

He says it's not all that easy.

"This is a pretty inexperienced team for this kind of thing - and when we play well, we get into a series of mistakes and put our opponent back."

The next rivals are Sweden and Great Britain - Monday, then Wednesday. There is no room for error anymore.

"There are many things we need to change, but we don't have time for them. What we do have time for is to rest, prepare Sweden and try to get through the group in the next two games," Radović explained.

Montenegro will have to play with 11 players until the end.

"Zoran Nikolić has finished Eurobasket, he has a foot injury. Jovan Kljajić was injured before the start of the tournament, we have bad luck, but it is what it is. We have never complained, and we will not now. We will try to play these two matches manfully and bravely and get through the group," concluded Radović.