By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
A few weeks after leading Serbia to bronze in the 2024 Olympic Games, head coach Svetislav Pesic confirmed his decision to leave the national team.
“KSS president Predrag Danilovic has resigned. From what I understand, he did it to allow the new management to form a new coaching staff and define new goals for the next Olympic cycle,” he talked to Sportklub on Tuesday referring to the upcoming leadership change at the Basketball Federation of Serbia, KSS.
“I had already communicated before Paris that someone else should continue the work I started,” added the 75-year-old tactician, “Since I see that some have not understood correctly, I now make it clear that those in charge of the federation must also look for a new coach. Of course, I will always be at the disposal of Serbian basketball, but now I will focus on other goals and projects.”
Besides capturing a bronze Olympic medal in France, Pesic won a silver medal in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
The next international cycle, leading into the 2028 Olympic Games, starts from the 2025 EuroBasket. In Group G of the Qualifiers, Serbia is up 2-0, closing in on a EuroBasket berth. Up next, a home-and-away series against Denmark in February, followed by a road game against Finland and a home game versus Georgia in February.
With Finland advancing with an automatic berth as one of the four hosts of next summer’s EuroBasket, the Eagles are battling Finland and Georgia for two spots in the final stage of the tournament.
Photo Credit: FIBA