MNE – Baletic shares in Montenegro success

KATOWICE (EuroBasket Women 2011) - Ana Baletic didn't know what to do after her Montenegro teammates beat Spain 66-57 to qualify for Round 2 at the EuroBasket Women.
 
The 25-year-old daughter of coach Miodrag Baletic had come to Katowice and played in the opening game victory over Poland on Saturday but went down with a knee injury just before the end of the contest and was lost for the rest of the tournament.
 
On the second day of Group C action, she sat in a chair at the end of the bench and watched as Montenegro beat Spain - the number five team in the FIBA World Rankings for Women.
 
She decided to clap her hands, but the tears also poured down in face.
 
One by one, her teammates came and hugged her.
 
It was one, huge emotion-packed moment for Montenegro.
 
"It was so hard for me," Baletic said to FIBA.com.
 
"When it finished, I cried.
 
"I was so happy, but unhappy, too.
 
"I was happy because my team played well and we continued to the second round.
 
"Of course they played very well. I just hope that I can help them by being close."
 
Baletic was still emotional one day later.
 
During the game against Germany on Monday, members of the organizing committee of the EuroBasket Women walked to the end of the bench and presented her with a bouquet of flowers.
 
"They told me they were sorry for my situation and they told me they know what I do every summer to play for Montenegro," Baletic said.
 
"I prepared years for this, but after the first game, I can't play anymore.
 
"I'll have an MRI tomorrow. I don't think this is the worst (knee injury), one that needs an operation to keep me out for eight months - but I'll find out tomorrow.
 
"If I need an operation, I'll stay at home.
 
"Otherwise, I will stay with the team because I want to stay with them the whole time."
 
Montenegro have been so good that they could play their way into contention for a medal.
 
Who knows, they may end up in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women.
 
What a story that would be!
 
First things first, though.
 
They have hard games coming up in Round 2.
 
"This is not such an easy group - France, Croatia, Latvia and Greece - we'll go step by step and we'll see what happens," she said.
 
Baletic says this is a great moment for Montenegro.
 
National pride is often expressed through its sports teams and basketball is certainly very important to the people of Montenegro.
 
"We have only 34 senior players in our country," Baletic said.
 
"What we do is so fantastic because Montenegro doesn't have a league.
 
"When we play for the national team, we play only because we like the country.
 
"We don't get money, or something special. We play because we love it."
 
FIBA