BELGRADE (2016 Rio Olympics) - Don't expect Serbia head coach Marina Maljkovic and her players to engage cruise control and look to merely enjoy their first-ever Olympic experience in Rio.

The EuroBasket Women 2015 winners are gunning for more glory and that is being fuelled by the desire of Maljkovic to secure a burning hunger for setting new high tide marks.

For Maljkovic, a worst case scenario could see Serbia become a glorious, but all too short-lived chapter in women’s basketball history. In order to avoid this outcome, she is on a mission to cement a winning habit and show her country are not one-hit.

Results certainly go with two things - the continuity of hard work and investment. I still feel we can always be better - there can always be more. Let this be the golden rule. - Maljkovic

The coach made the comments at the start of what could prove to be another pivotal year for the women's game in her homeland. While trying to maintain the momentum is admirable, it does bring a new sky-high level of expectation - although she is quick to laugh off any notion that cracks could appear because of this.

"This is nothing new for us and when we did not have pressure? Every year the pressure is present and so from year to year and from that side of things it is no different," she reasoned. "I have a group of people who at any time are used to working under pressure and that pressure motivates us and pulls us all forward.

"I would also like to re-iterate the fanatical game and fighting spirit of the players, who are always willing to sub-ordinate themselves to the team and to the system. Yet the players have still been able to have some valid talk on the details - as well as showing such important work and at times, blind faith in their friends, the coaches and in victory."

Showered with praise right around Europe and now the subject of general adulation in Serbia itself, Maljkovic has been sharing the wealth of these positives in different directions of late - not just toward the likes of EuroBasket Women 2015 MVP Ana Dabovic.

The 34-year-old has not only paid tribute to those at the Serbian Basketball Federation who originally gave her an opportunity to shine, but also the wider pool of players who might not have had the pleasure of standing on the podium on a famous June 2015 night in Budapest, but are still uppermost in her mind.

"Over these past four years, there have been many girls who have been with the national team," reflected Maljkovic. "I want to highlight the significance of all the players that have contributed to our [historic] result. Those who were in broader lists during these past years and not just all of those who participated in the title."

Maljkovic is continuing to work in French club basketball at Lyon and next on the menu for Serbia are next month's EuroBasket Women 2017 qualifiers.

FIBA