Serbia NT coach: “We are playing in the toughest group”

Aug 26, 2025 8:06 PM

The 2025 EuroBasket is nearly upon us, and Serbia, one of the tournament’s top contenders, is set to kick off the group stage in Riga with a matchup against Estonia.

In the lead-up to the opening game, Serbian head coach Svetislav Pešić outlined his expectations for the team while urging caution against getting carried away by hype. With star player Nikola Jokić leading the squad, Serbia has clear ambitions, but Pešić emphasized a disciplined, focused approach.

“We are playing in the toughest group, against the hosts, so respect must be shown. In our group, there are two very serious medal contenders, including Turkey. Six to eight teams are fighting for a medal, and then comes a ninth or tenth, so that’s how it is. I want you to convey this to the fans and experts, to shape it, refine it, and tell them that we are not the best in the world – here plays the world champion. Only the fans have the right to get euphoric. Just tone down your high expectations a bit. Our expectations are far bigger than you think, but we focus only on the tasks in front of us each day. So, once again, the group we’re in is the toughest in the tournament,” Pešić said during the pre-tournament press conference in Riga.

He also reflected on Serbia’s first opponent, Estonia, stressing the importance of preparation and respect for every team.

“I don’t know how other coaches or players think about EuroBasket, but we have tremendous respect for every opponent. We prepare in a way that it doesn’t matter who is on the other side. We work on tactics, individually… We represent Serbian basketball, and we always, always focus on ourselves while respecting others. We know Estonia will play against us with special motivation, so we must at least match Estonia’s level of motivation if we want to stay in control.”

Support and encouragement also came from Serbian tennis legend Novak Djokovic, who sent a message to the national basketball team. Pešić warmly acknowledged Djokovic’s words.

“We wish him the same as we wish ourselves – and even more. Just like we go from game to game, we want him to be healthy and ready, because when Novak is healthy, he can achieve a lot. First, we wish him health, and for everything else, let him take care of it.”