As the level of this Eurobasket 2022 was very homogeneous and very high, Serbia obviously did not have the assurance of finishing with a medal. However, we did not imagine Nikola Jokic and his band being taken out so early in the competition. Because the Serbs were eliminated in the round of 16, against Italy.
Inevitably, it’s a disappointing result and Vanja Marinkovic even spoke of “disaster” after the meeting. For his part, Svetislav Pesic preferred to retain the positive and above all to recall that Serbia was deprived of important players.
“I will always remember the atmosphere, the camaraderie, the complicity that the players built between preparation and competition”says the coach for EuroHoops. “I emphasize that, despite injuries and illnesses. Some players did not come with us. We were missing Nemanja Bjelica, Aleksa Avramovic and Bogdan Bogdanovic. Nikola Milutinov and Vanja Marinkovic missed matches because they were ill. Finally, Nemanja Nedovic was injured during the Euro. “
Svetislav Pesic is therefore optimistic for the future: with a full group, Serbia will have the means, and for a long time, to regain the heights in international competitions.
“The core of the national team is made up of players born in 1994 and 1995: Nikola Jokic, Vasilije Micic, Nikola Milutinov, Marko Guduric, Ognjen Jaramaz, Dejan Davidovac, Dušan Ristic, Ognjen Dobric, Aleksa Avramovic. Plus a galaxy of young players who will arrive next, like Nikola Jovic and Aleksej Pokusevski. “
A future that will still be written with Svetislav Pesic on the bench. The coach, European champion in 1993 and 2001 then world champion in 2002, will continue the adventure despite his 73 years and this failure.
“I agreed to continue, as a challenge to not only help the national team but to advance the reputation of our basketball in Europe and in the world. This is not the first time that I have been insulted and criticized. This was already the case during Eurobasket 2001 and then at the World Cup the following year. Nothing new under the sun. To be clear, I will never abandon my principles or my methods. “
