CRO - Hoping for Repesa

ZAGREB (EuroBasket/FIBA Basketball World Cup) - All of Croatia's hopes of reaching the inaugural FIBA Basketball World Cup do not hinge on the country's ability to keep Jasmin Repesa as head coach of the national team.

But it stands to reason that their chances of making it to Spain in 2014 are far greater with the veteran tactician than without him.

A look back at the time Repesa, the head coach of Unicaja Malaga, has had with Croatia over the years suggests he knows what strings have to be pulled for the team to be successful.

His finest hour was guiding the team into the Beijing Games via the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

This summer, he steered the team to eight wins in as many games in the EuroBasket 2013 Qualification Round.

He's been a winner with various club sides over the years and it's the same with his national team.

The players like him.

"He's very hard, but he's very determined, very dedicated on details and he's a very hard worker," Croatia's 2.08m forward Damjan Rudez said to FIBA.com.

"He's a great psychologist, knows players and when you combine all those things together, along with his persona and authority, and the career that he has behind him, you have a situation in which everyone respects him and in which he produces great results."

Croatia did not fulfill their aim of reaching the podium at EuroBasket 2009, which is the only black mark on Repesa's record with the national team.

That team imploded in the Quarter-Finals against Slovenia, losing 67-65, and Repesa decided a change was needed.

But after two unimpressive performances under his successor, Josip Vrankovic, at the 2010 FIBA World Championship and EuroBasket 2011, Croatia turned to Repesa and he jumped at the opportunity to hold the reins again.

It remains to be seen if he will be at the helm next year when Croatia play in the Final Round in Slovenia and try to qualify for the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

His job with Unicaja Malaga may prevent him from doing so.

"I have no idea," Rudez said, when asked if he expects Repesa to be with the team.

"I think it was a strange situation because he has to deal with Unicaja because coaches in Spain are not allowed to coach national teams.

"But we all know that he is one of the best coaches and are hoping that he is going to stay.

"I think for him, it would also be a pleasure after qualifying, to do the job he began, but it's not our decision to make."

Rudez, 26, who got hurt in the team's second Qualification Round game against Ukraine and wasn't able to play in any more clashes this summer, is going to do everything in his power to be with the side next summer in Slovenia when the team tries to qualify for Spain.

His focus now is on playing for CAI Zaragoza but it won't be long before the attention goes back to the national side.

Croatia is a proud basketball country and Rudez says that he wants to do his part in helping the national team become one of the best in Europe again.

The national team is No. 16 in the FIBA World Rankings.

"Croatia is a basketball country and if its national team produces any success, its national team will again be affecting Croatia," Rudez said.

"The people there yearn for basketball and they want good basketball, for the national team to do good, but they're waiting for a good result.

"Without the result, everything else comes second."

FIBA