SRB - Stojanovic, Serbia making up for Glisic’s absence

DUBAI (FIBA U17 World Championship) - Scanning Serbia's roster at the 2014 FIBA U17 World Championship, one glaring name is missing - Milos Glisic.

Captain Vojislav Stojanovic and the rest of his Serbian teammates are trying their best to compensate for the loss of the star big man which happened a day before they left for Dubai.

The power forward Glisic broke his leg in Serbia's last practice back home before coming to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Much of coach Vanja Gusa's system was based around the Partizan big man, who is ranked among the top five 1998-born Europeans.

"We miss him very much, especially on rebounds and offensive transition," said Stojanovic.

With Glisic, Stojanovic, Stefan Peno and the likes of Nikola Rakicevic, Aleksandar Aranitovic and David Miladinovic, Serbia had planned on coming to Dubai and contending for the title. Losing Glisic is a huge blow to the team.

When asked about the strength of the team, Stojanovic said: "We can play basketball with five guards. We can play without the big man and we proved that because Glisic - one of the best players on our team - is not here."

Stojanovic is not really pleased with his performance and that of the team thus far in Dubai, despite a 2-0 record in Group D after wins over China (80-68) and Egypt (81-63). Serbia head into the showdown with Argentina to decide the first place seeding for the Round of 16.

"We played the first game very well. The second game we were really bad. I don't know what happened. We thought it was Egypt and it's not a very big name and we just didn't play against them like the other nations," said the Belgrade native.

"It worries me for future games. But for now it's 2-0, that’s the most important part."

Stojanovic himself has been struggling, even though he is averaging 11.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks. The 17-year-old has connected on just 8 of 29 shots for a poor 28 percent, including 3 of 12 from long range, as well as making just 3 of 10 free-throws for a woeful 30 percent.

"I am missing my free-throws. That's my biggest weakness," he admitted.

Stojanovic comes into the tournament after a strong season in the Crvena Zvezda Telekom Belgrade system. He teamed up with U17 Worlds teammates Aranitovic, Rakicevic, Miladinovic and Stefan Kenic to win the Nike International Junior Tournament (NIJT) title at the 2014 Euroleague Final Four in Milan.

"That helps us a lot because we think we are one of the best teams in Europe. We think we can get good results in this tournament," said Stojanovic, who won MVP honours at the NIJT tournament.

He hopes to regain his form over the rest of the tournament.

"I played bad in the second game. I tried to shoot too many balls (2 of 11). That's not good for me and not good for team. I think I can improve that and play for the team a little bit more."

The team is the key for Serbia to be successful.

"We must play like a team and play better defense and for each other," added Stojanovic.

Even more so now that star power forward Glisic is not around.

FIBA