By Rigas Dardalis/ dardalis@eurohoops.net
The last game of host country Slovenia in Eurobasket 2013 was once again a celebration. The prize was just the fifth place in the final standings, a small consolation for the winners, Slovenia which beat Ukraine (69-63), the country which will organize the next European championship.
However it was also the game which was the last for Jaka Lakovic in the Slovenian national team. The 35 years old guard who has been an important member of the team since 2005, concluded his career in FIBA tournaments. As he said two days earlier in Greek television station OTE TV: “I will probably make some room for the younger players”. After the end of the game he announced his decision officialy to the crowd of Stozice Arena.
His heir, Goran Dragic, was once more the top scorer of the winners with 19 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists, while Pooh Jeter had 12 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for Ukraine.