Sasha Djordevic Serbia Rio 2016
Photo: FIBA Basketball

The head coach of Serbia, Sasa Djordjevic, spoke with Basketball Sphere and referred to the national team’s match against Greece in Heraklion, Crete as well as his players’ condition and the FIBA windows.

Here is what the 51-year-old coach said:

On Serbia’s preparation for the matches against Greece and Estonia: “There is a great desire and concentration in all guys. Bjelica had problems with his neck, but came back to training after therapy.

Micić missed a couple of training days, but he has been practising since yesterday. We had seven days of good, strong training. Our players show pride, knowledge, quality, talent in each training.”

On the Greek team: “They play together for a long time, we must be ready for this. Bourousis carries great experience, Antetokounmpo has athleticism. Printezis, Mantzaris, Calathes, Papapetrou, Papanikolaou play together for a long time, they have character.

Each year Greece reaches the eighth-finals or quarter-finals in all competitions. They are now relieved, because they have a 6-0 streak.”

On the FIBA windows: “I hope that our Euroleague players will play in the following duels. They do not have to play in both, at least one. I think we can come to an agreement with these players and their clubs.”