BELGRADE (FIBA World Championship for Women) - The upturn in fortune for Serbia at the elite level has undoubtedly been a genuine team effort and one of the reasons they will excitedly take their place at the FIBA World Championship for Women later this year in Turkey.

Behind the headline grabbers such as Jelena Milovanovic and the Dabovic sisters Ana and Milica, are players like Nevena Jovanovic who just two years ago hadn't even pulled on a national team vest at the senior level.

Yes, rewind to this time in 2012 and Jovanovic was merely hoping she would be given the opportunity to help Serbia post a successful qualifying campaign and punch a ticket for EuroBasket Women 2013.

Always likely to be in the mix after a productive youth career for her country, the door was finally pushed open for her and it was an opportunity she was to grab with two grateful hands as she stared on a journey which continues to roll excitedly onwards.

If the player herself was grateful for being given a chance, then so too was head coach Marina Maljkovic at what she got in return.

The Serbian play-caller reaped the rewards of Jovanovic repaying her faith by producing a standout first campaign off the back of some superbly consistent shooting displays, as her nation completed the mission of securing a return to EuroBasket Women.

"I think a lot of progress has been made with coach Marina and I think I just fit into her system and I guess that is what she's looking for," mused Jovanovic.

The pair then worked together at club level at Partizan Galenika as the 23-year-old gained her first experience of playing in EuroCup Women.

In what was and still is a whirlwind period, the journey continued at breakneck speed as Jovanovic then took to the floor in France last year at her first major tournament.

What happened next of course is that she played a pivotal role in helping Serbia win a super five consecutive games, move proudly into the Semi-Finals, grab their best-ever finish in the competition and of course, book a maiden spot at the FIBA World Championship for Women.

"It meant a lot to me to play in France and I think it was the same feeling for every player," recalled Jovanovic who was handed almost 20 minutes per game by Maljkovic to comprehensively underline her value.

"Being surrounded all the time by the best players and teams was great, but above anything else, it was most exciting to be able to represent my country on this kind of stage."

Now the scale of the stage has mushroomed in size and she's delighted to be looking forward to the possibility of taking to the court against the very best there is, in the shape of defending world champions - the USA.

"It's an additional motivation for us to play against the best in the world," insisted Jovanovic.

"Sure, the group is difficult, but there is never going to be anything easy handed to you when you're competing at a tournament such as the FIBA World Championship for Women."

Sandwiched between her debut at EuroBasket Women and taking her first bow globally in Turkey has been yet another first.

Last year, the rise to prominence for Jovanovic was further perpetuated by a chance to step out of her homeland and play her club basketball in another country. She chose Hungary.

And, it just wouldn't be right if it didn't prove to be both eventful or successful - for that has been the trend following her for around 24 months.

Playing with PEAC Pecs, Jovanovic returned to testing her skills in EuroCup Women and also got to hit the hardwood in the Hungarian League which is hugely competitive.

This made for a beautifully dramatic season with some euphoric highs such as winning the Hungarian Cup, as well as a rare and agonising ending, as Jovanovic and her team-mates lost an epic five game Championship series against local rivals Pinkk Pesci 424.

"Overall, it was still a really great experience and most certainly a successful season," she reflected.

"The goals before the season tipped off was to play in a final, but of course after actually winning the Cup, our appetite and ambitions grew further.

"Lifting the Cup was an extraordinary time for us and we were in the best shape of the season.

"We then stayed almost perfect right up until the Championship finals, but unfortunately we just weren't able to win it."

Jovanovic also had some familiar faces to match up with during the campaign, in the shape of Serbian assistant coach Igor Polenek and national team forward Sara Krnjic - both at UE Sopron.

"We ended up playing them seven times this season," said a bemused Jovanovic.

"Although it's always nice to see someone like Sara with whom I spent so many years playing alongside through all the different youth tournaments," she added.

Now the duo are preparing to work together once again at the senior level and prepare for what promises to be a potentially ground-breaking moment for Serbian women's basketball when they step out in Istanbul.

FIBA