Serbia’s Bogdan Bogdanovic, center, in the course of the Fiba World Cup gold medal recreation in opposition to Germany. -MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.web
MANILA, Philippines — All the time a bridesmaid, by no means the bride.
As cliche because it sounds, that’s been the story of Bogdan Bogdanovic and Serbia in two of their final three appearances within the Fiba World Cup.
After shedding to a star-studded USA staff again within the 2014 ultimate in Spain, Serbia misplaced within the gold medal recreation once more on Sunday to first-time winner Germany, 83-77, at Mall of Asia Enviornment.
“I’ll be blissful to get the gold as properly and to complete the match with a win. However, sadly, generally the luck is just not in your aspect, you miss some pictures, you miss a number of the alternatives however that’s [the] recreation of basketball, that’s the way it works,” Bogdanovic advised reporters.
Bogdanovic got here out firing for Serbia with 17 factors within the first half however the Atlanta Hawks capturing guard was restricted to simply two factors within the final two quarters on account of foul hassle.
Regardless of one other silver medal end, the 31-year-old captain held his head excessive after Serbia was in a position to attain the ultimate regardless of missing its biggest star Nikola Jokic.
Serbia’s Bogdan Bogdanovic.-MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.web
“I’m simply blissful and pleased with this guys, , since day one no person believes on this group and we’re simply working laborious since day one and we achieved one thing I believe,”’ stated Bogdanovic, who was additionally a part of the Serbian staff that completed second to america within the 2016 Rio Olympics. “It’s all good. I’m actually blissful concerning the guys. As I stated, once we began the preparation, I’m simply blissful that we responded that approach.”
“I believe we beat a number of good groups. Lithuania, as properly, was good. I’m simply proud of the blokes. Among the best teams I labored with,” he added.
On its strategy to the ultimate, Serbia swept the group part, then eradicated a troublesome Dominican Republic staff to make the quarterfinal the place it crushed Lithuania earlier than it knocked off a formidable Canada side in the semifinal.
“I believe the rise of the worldwide basketball, the way in which the all nationwide groups are enjoying this Fiba match evaluating to once I began enjoying, it’s rising and it’s getting more durable and more durable,” he stated. “There are not any simple video games, simple opponents. Everyone is preparing for one thing. Everyone must qualify for one thing after which everyone fights for medals so Fiba is hard.”
Bogdanovic, who was a part of the All-Fiba World Cup Crew for the second consecutive time, additionally heaped reward on World Cup MVP Dennis Schroder and Germany.
“They’ve expertise. They constructed this staff over time and I’ve been watching them. I do know a number of guys (from them) they usually have been collectively for years. Congrats to them, actually they’re powerful opponents. They gained each single recreation on this match. They’ve performed powerful groups for the reason that starting. They deserve it, truthfully,” Bogdanovic stated.
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