Reporting from Belgrade: Lefteris Moutis / moutis@eurohoops.net
Miroslav Raduljica is preparing to lead the national team of Serbia to the Olympic Games in Rio and he spoke to Eurohoops just before the start of the pre-Olympic tournament at Belgrade what this means to him and to his teammates.
Despite the bad end of the season for him in Panathinaikos, the Serbian national team is a very different story for him.
“I believe in this team and I love everyone here,” explains Raduljica. “I grew up with these players. For example, I live in the same room with Stefan Markovic since 2002! Everything is fine betweenus and I love working with the coaches and players in the national team. I believe that this applies to everyone who is here”.
Raduljica also spoke about his relationship with coach Djordjevic with whom he also collaborated in Panathinaikos: “For me, it’s the same wherever I have worked with him. He has the same energy, the same passion to succeed and he is approaching everything the same way.”
So what can stop Serbia from making it to Rio in a tournament held at home ground: “It will not be easy to qualify as everyone says. We have a really good team, but the opponents are very strong. We are not afraid of anything, but we know the strength of our opponents and we know how difficult it’s going to be. As coach Djordjevic always says the next one is the most important game. We need to take some precautions in order to not be surprised by anyone and qualify. Most players have completed just recently the season with their clubs, but we all are in a very good shape physically and mentally”.