By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Milos Teodosic discussed the Serbian national team aiming to clinch a last-minute Olympic Games berth with Mozzart Sport. Nikola Jokic and Bogdan Bogdanovic will not be available but Serbia still looks pretty strong in terms of booking a trip to Tokyo through the Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
“Everyone should have a choice, not be forced to play,” he said regarding competing in international tournaments, “Fans should not perceive this in a negative way. It’s hard for us players too when someone does not join the national team. Everyone has a good reason not to be here. We only need to accept this hoping he will be back next year.”
Teodosic, 34, confirmed he will help his country in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament scheduled to be held at Belgrade from June 29 to July 4. He was ready to miss some practices but not to skip the tournament altogether. On the other hand, Jokic opted to not join Serbia’s senior squad this summer.
“I can’t talk for Jokic. I have never played so many minutes and games in one season carrying the entire team,” he commented on his teammate’s decision, “I am sure that he considered everything and made the best decision for him. That said, if Jokic is at 100%, we would be several steps higher as a team. However, if he is at 50%, that won’t happen.”
Italy, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Senegal, and the Philippines are the remaining teams of the Belgrade tournament aiming to make it to the Olympic Games. Serbia will go against the Philippines and the Dominican Republic in the preliminary round.
“It’s not easy to focus solely on the Olympic Qualifying Tournament,” admitted Teodosic, “We understand the expectations are projected towards the Olympic Games and the medals stage. We try to stay focused on the immediate step, on this qualifying tournament. After, we will shift our focus to Tokyo.”
Besides the national team, his future at the club level and Virtus Segafredo Bologna remains undetermined. His contract includes a player option enabling other teams to hope to bring him in. However, Teodosic is currently locked into his national team.
“We generally discussed the situation in the team. He wants to know the environment he will enter,” he said regarding his early talks with the new head coach, Sergio Scariolo, “I have the option in my contract, but honestly I am not thinking about that at the moment. It’s nice for me in Bologna, but we will see about that.”
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL