By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
After the first real test against Australia, the US national team will have to face Serbia, their opponent in the last FIBA World Cup Final.
And coach Mike Krzyzewski spoke highly of his opponents in Rio before the game: “Serbia is one of the top international teams. We played them in the World Cup two years ago for the championship. They’re unbelievably well coached; they’ve been together; in (Milos) Teodosic you have one of the great guards in the last decade in Europe; in (Bogdan) Bogdanovic they have one of the great shooters; and (Miroslav) Raduljica is one of the best big men. Then they are tall and deep and they’ll be huge challenge for us and we respect the heck out of them”.
After all the game against Australia proved that this tournament may not be after all just a walk in part for USA and Kryzewski admitted that: “We beat a great team. Australia played at the Olympics seriously, after beating two great opponents. They play as one and this is a big win for us, because this was the first real match. The defense in the second half was much better and Carmelo was magnificent. We have earned this victory and so we will be from now on. Australia is a medal contender”.