By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Vasilije Micic won’t play for Serbia against Turkey in the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers game, as at first was expected.
Ergin Ataman stated that Anadolu Efes didn’t allow the 28-year-old playmaker to help his national team and that the decision wasn’t made by himself or with the national feelings in the mix since he is both the head coach of Turkey and of Anadolu Efes.
“As a club, we were against Micic’s playing in the national team from the beginning. But later, after the pressure of the Serbian National Team, when Micic wanted to play, we did not allow it as a club. Before the very important game we will play with Barcelona on Thursday, we wanted to work with the full squad, especially in Larkin’s absence. Just like Barcelona did not send another Serbian player, Kalinic. Here, there is no decision taken with national feelings. There is a decision we have taken as Anadolu Efes. The news that “Ergin Ataman did not give permission” is a provocation from the Serbian press“, Ataman said to NTV Spor.
Micic was expected to arrive in Serbia on Saturday, but the Serbian national team was informed that the player will not travel, and as Ataman noted, will prepare for the upcoming EuroLeague game between Anadolu Efes and Barcelona.
His absence is a big blow for coach Svetislav Pesic and the Serbian national team, as the win against Turkey at home, and with Greece beating Belgium would help them qualify for the FIBA World Cup 2023, leaving Turkey and Belgium out.