SLO - Maljkovic's men fall short in Spain

GRANADA (EuroBasket 2011) - Slovenia coach Bozidar Maljkovic knows his players will be battle tested when they play at the EuroBasket and try to qualify for the Olympics.

What he doesn't know is if they will be able to beat the best teams in Europe after falling twice to Spain over the weekend.

Following a 73-61 setback on Saturday in Malaga to Spain, Slovenia slumped to a 79-57 defeat 24 hours later in Granada.

Goran Jagodnik, who is one of the Slovenia veterans, said: "It was a classic game with Spain.

"Every time you get closer, then in a few minutes you deteriorate and get punished.

"In the third quarter, we got to within three points and then lost a few balls and soon the deficit was 15."

Spain outscored Slovenia 24-7 in the fourth quarter.

"Against such teams, you have to play with more patience and pay attention to the turnovers," Jagodnik said.

"It was then difficult to get back into the game.

"Spain is really a top team and you have to play against such in the same rhythm all 40 minutes."

At the EuroBasket, Slovenia will compete in Group D against Russia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Georgia and Ukraine while Spain will be in Group A with Turkey, Lithuania, Great Britain, Poland and either Finland or Portugal - the two sides that have clinched places in the 24-team tournament in the Additional Qualifying Round.

The sides that reach the Final of the EuroBasket will earn trips to the London Games while the teams that come in third, fourth, fifth and sixth will be invited to the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

FIBA