Qualifiers a cornerstone of Serbia's future, says captain Macvan
BELGRADE (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers) - A pair of successive home wins to open Serbia's FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers will have done their young players a world of good, according to team captain Milan Macvan.
The Serbs beat Austria 85-64 on Friday and followed that up with a 105-87 defeat of Georgia, with both games played in Belgrade's Aleksandar Nikolic Hall.
"THE YOUNG GUYS ARE AN INVESTMENT FOR THE FUTURE AND IT'S GREAT THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO BRING THEM INTO THE FOLD FOR THESE QUALIFIERS." Macvan
Macvan racked up 18 points in the hard-fought win over the Georgians, backing up a huge performance (28 points and 8 rebounds) by Miroslav Raduljica to cancel out a heroic solo effort by Georgia's Michael Dixon, as the American-born point guard poured in a game-high 36 points and dished out 9 assists.
"Every one of them deserves to be here. They are an investment for the future and it's great that we've been able to bring them into the fold for these Qualifiers. They will be ready to take over as leaders when their time comes because the present learning curve and the experience of playing for the national team will have been priceless."
Among some of the youngsters to have stood out for Serbia in the two games were Stefan Peno and Dejan Todorovic.
Stefan Peno and Dejan Todorovic
Peno started in Monday's game and finished with 17 points, 9 assists and 3 steals in 26 minutes. Todorovic provided scoring punch off the bench, contributing 8 points in each game.
"I am also sure they will show how much the Qualifiers have boosted their confidence when they return to their clubs," Macvan said. "They will improve with every round of the Qualifiers. They will need to, because every opponent we face is going to be fired up against a team of Serbia's stature."
Small forward Marko Simonovic, one of Serbia's trophy-laden stalwarts, concurred with his captain and also highlighted how much fan support meant to their team.
"IT WAS AMAZING TO PLAY IN A FULL HOUSE AGAINST GEORGIA. WE ARE ALL EAGER TO PLAY FOR THE NATIONAL TEAM AND WILL NEVER MISS AN OPPORTUNITY TO PUT ON OUR SERBIA SHIRTS. IT'S THE GREATEST FEELING." Simonovic
"We've had a great atmosphere since the very beginning, on and off the court, and the young lions blended in much more seamlessly than I expected them to. Two big wins for us and we are looking forward to the resumption of the Qualifiers in February," he said.
"I want to thank the fans for turning up in big numbers. It means the world to us - especially to the young guys who made their international debuts for Serbia," Macvan said after Monday's game.
"It was amazing to play in a full house against Georgia. We are all eager to play for the national team and will never miss an opportunity to put on our Serbia shirts. It's the greatest feeling."
Although Serbia are now in a commanding position to reach the second round of the Qualifiers, Macvan underlined that the World Cup runners-up can take nothing for granted in the upcoming road games in February.
"While we are favorites against everyone on home court when we are backed by our passionate fans, the away games will be especially challenging," he said. "It's very important to win as many games as possible and carry maximum points into the next round."
FIBA
