By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The Serbian national team has more or less brought together the majority of its best players for the Olympic qualifiers but the squad has been having some injury problems that limit coach Igor Kokoskov’s game plan.
EuroLeague MVP Vasilije Micic and Nemanja Bjelica have been resting due to small lingering injuries but the coach noted that their status has been improving while Nikola Kalinic and Ognjen Dobric aren’t that lucky.
“Such matches are certainly not won by coordination, but by energy, fighting spirit and sacrifice on the court. It is important that our health bulletin is better in comparison to the match with the Philippines. We will see if Kalinic will play, while Micic and Bjelica feel better, which are good signs. Ognjen Dobrić has certain problems and he is also questionable about tomorrow. The most important thing for us is to know who will be able to perform,” Kokoskov said.
“The Puerto Rican team has been playing together longer, they are obviously more coordinated, they have a defined rotation and their roles in the team. Unfortunately, we did not do any training with the full roster, and even today we will miss some players in training. It is information for people who love and follow our team, but, I repeat, games like this are not won by perfect coordination and execution, but by the desire, energy and decision to win. I have no doubt we will fight, but we must, with the energy that will be present at the highest level, play smart, reduce the number of turnovers and play as a team. We play in front of our audience, we know what the goal is and we will do our best to achieve it,” he added.
Serbia is set to play against Puerto Rico tomorrow (July 3rd) at 16:00 CET and will await the victor fo the duel between Italy and the Dominican Republic in the Final.