ZAGREB (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers) - Just 18 months ago, Croatian players were a couple of made shots or a couple of rebounds or a couple of defensive stops away from claiming an Olympic medal. Now, they are barely breathing at the bottom of the European Qualifiers' Group D.

An 82-78 win over the Netherlands in Zadar kept Croatia alive, at 1-3. But a late four-point play gave the tiebreaker to Oranje, almost definitely marking the end of Ivica Skelin's run behind the helm of the national team.

"I am well aware that we haven't done a good job so far in the Qualifiers. If people in charge of the Croatian Basketball Federation want me out, they will have my resignation on their desk. That's the least of our problems," the play caller claimed after the game.

"Hats off to my players. Mentally, these three days have been a lot to handle."

With bad news coming out, an unlikely hero saved the day for the white-and-red and sparked optimism that Croatia could get back to the level displayed in the summer of 2016. The 19-year-old point guard Karlo Uljarevic stepped up, made a couple of three-pointers late in the game to keep Croatia alive.

"That's the most important thing. There still is hope, and we have every right to hope that we can advance to the Second Round after the June-July window," Uljarevic said.

He represented Croatia at various youth tournaments and is now a member of Cibona Zagreb, earning his first minutes at the senior level. He had to work hard for them, and everything paid off for the youngster at the right time. Injuries to Marko Popovic, Rok Stipcevic and Toni Katic got him on the 24-player list, Krunoslav Simon's withdrawal took him to the 12-player roster, and from there on, Karlo knew what to do to stay on the court.

"I WILL GIVE MY ALL EVERY TIME I TAKE THE COURT WITH MY CLUB. BUT I'VE PLAYED FOR ALL THE YOUTH SELECTIONS OF CROATIA, AND THAT'S A WHOLE DIFFERENT STORY. THAT MEANS A LOT MORE THAN PLAYING FOR YOUR CLUB. WITH THE NATIONAL TEAM, YOU'RE PLAYING YOUR HEART OUT AND FIGHTING FOR EACH POSSESSION!" - Uljarevic

At 1-3, and games away in Italy and Romania in June and July, Croatia still have a lot of work in front of them. But with their NBA players such as Dario Saric, Bojan Bogdanovic and Dragan Bender available for the summer window, it is not that hard to picture them finishing the First Round at 3-3.

And Uljarevic could be there to help, too.

"I will give my all every time I take the court with my club. But I've played for all the youth selections of Croatia and that's a whole different story," he said. "That means a lot more than playing for your club. With the national team, you're playing your heart out and fighting for each possession!"

If the opportunity arises, he will not be afraid to take the most important shots, just like he did against the Dutch.

"No place for fear here. If you are fearing something on the court, then you really shouldn't play. That goes for all sports, not just basketball," the teenager explained.

And that is exactly the kind of attitude Croatia need right now.

FIBA