KRASNODAR (FIBA Basketball World Cup/EuroBasket 2015) - Perhaps no side illustrates the unpredictable nature of international basketball better than Croatia.

One of the darlings of EuroBasket 2013 under Jasmin Repesa when the team reeled off eight consecutive wins before finishing in fourth place, Croatia had high hopes of reaching the podium at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup but never got into their rhythm in Seville's Group B.

A narrow defeat to France in the Round of 16 capped a frustrating event for a squad that some felt had a chance of a top-three finish.

Several months on from that disappointment, Croatia guard Krunoslav Simon says there was something obvious that was missing.

"We didn't keep that chemistry that we had had the year before in Slovenia," Simon said to FIBA.com.

It [Spain 2014] was not a good tournament for us. - Simon

"From the beginning, we had some problems, some injured players. Then from the first day of the championship, it was not our day."

Croatia did manage to beat the Philippines in their first game of the group but had to pull out all stops to do so.

Simon hit a clutch three-pointer to knot the game at 69-69 with 2:05 remaining and helped force overtime.

Croatia clinched an 81-78 victory after the extra period.

Simon then had 18 points to lead the way in a 90-85 triumph over Argentina, but Senegal surprised Repesa's squad on Day 3, 77-75.

After a 76-65 drubbing by Greece, Croatia had to win their last game against Puerto Rico to be certain of advancing to the Round of 16, and they prevailed, 103-82.

Yet France, despite playing without Tony Parker, Alexis Ajinca and Nando de Colo, just to name a few, edged them 69-64 to knock them out of the tournament.

Bojan Bogdanovic, who is a rookie in the NBA this season with the Brooklyn Nets, missed a go-ahead three-pointer in the final minute for Croatia.

"But what can you do," Simon said.

"Now, we need to look at the next championship.

We are hosting a [EuroBasket 2015] group and I hope that we will find that game that we had in 2013. - Simon

Croatia are indeed hosting a Group C in Zagreb that also has Slovenia, F.Y.R. of Macedonia (MKD), Greece, Georgia and the Netherlands.

Simon considers it a blessing for Croatia to have some games at home later this year because it gives them an opportunity to recapture some of the momentum that it lost at the World Cup.

"This is for sure the best thing that could have happened," he said. 

"I only hope that God will keep me healthy and that I can be there. 

"I am looking forward to it. Of course it will be a great thing for the whole team."

One good thing that happened after last year's tournament in Spain was that Croatia climbed four spots to No. 12 in the FIBA bwin Ranking Men.

They are the eighth highest ranked European team, with Spain (No. 2), Lithuania (No. 4), France (No. 5), Russia (No. 6), Serbia (No. 7), Turkey (No. 8) and Greece (No. 10) above them.

"We have a nice team," Simon said. 

"If all of the teams come with the best players, we are not in the top group of the favorites.

"There is Spain, France who will be hosts and a few more teams, but we have a nice team and I think we can fight with anybody."

Croatia have some solid youngsters that are a part of the program.

One of them, Barcelona's teenager Mario Hezonja, hit eight three-pointers in as many attempts in one Liga Endesa game this season.

"He's a hot prospect. He's a great player and every day, he's improving."

There is also Dario Saric, who played big minutes the past couple of summers for Croatia.

Saric is in his first season in the Turkish Airlines Euroleague with Anadolu Efes. 

"Dario is getting better," Simon said.

"He's a complete player. He's young, but playing on a top level.

"He is showing it that he deserves to play on that level." 

Croatia have yet to announce who will coach the team later this year.

Simon says he doesn't know if Repesa will remain in charge or if there will be a replacement.

"It's not on me," he said.

"We have a few names, every one of them is a great coach and I only hope that everyone will be healthy and that we’ll have a full team."

For now, Simon is suiting up for Lokomotiv Kuban, one of the top sides in the VTB United League and the Eurocup.

"Kruno is really important because he does a lot of things offensively for us," he said to FIBA.com.

Simon could not be happier.

His team has been particularly impressive in the Eurocup, winning all 16 games that it has played so far.

"We will try to fight to win everything," he said, "but it's not only a question of us.

"There are a few excellent teams here (in the Eurocup) and in the VTB League.

"For sure it will be tough. We'll do our best to win every game until the end of the season."

FIBA