By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
In an interview with FIBA, Slovenian shooting guard Klemen Prepelic discussed the upcoming venture in the World Cup Qualifiers, where his national team will carry the weight of being the reigning EuroBasket champion.
“The people are ready to see us,” Prepelic commented. “Slovenia as a nation loves basketball.”
Here’s what Prepelic also said on:
Realizing what Slovenia achieved in the EuroBasket:
“Right now, we don’t even know what we did probably. The time went so fast. You win the FIBA EuroBasket and in one day, three days or whenever, you have to go back to your club and start a new real story in the team.”
Playing also in front of the Slovenian home crowd in the World Cup Qualifiers:
“In the last friendly this summer against Croatia before FIBA EuroBasket you could see the gym was fully packed with 13,000 people, which is rare for a friendly game,” Prepelic recalled. “In November there is going to be a full gym, especially with it being the first game after winning the European title… Everybody is working on that and we are looking forward to it. Of course it’s always nice to play in front of your crowd.”
The challenge of qualifying for the World Cup:
“It’s really important (to go to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019). Slovenia is a basketball nation and after such a big success, it’s going to be such a big disappointment if we don’t make it there.”
“The toughest thing is to stay at the top. lt’s always easier to hunt the champion than defend the championship,” Prepelic said. “We do have a bigger target on our back. Maybe we will be the favorites in most of the games. So now you have the pressure.”
Players who didn’t play in the EuroBasket returning to the national team:
“This is a great opportunity for some other players who are younger to step up”
His own readiness:
“I’m in a good situation where I can come there and play and that’s what matters to me. I will do my best to help Slovenia to make it to the World Cup.”