Already 27 and ready to beat Spain!
Hello again, greetings from Istanbul! This is Dusko Savanovic of Power Electronics Valencia and the Serbian national team! As you know, we managed to beat Croatia and are now getting ready to play against Spain in the FIBA World Championships quarterfinals. If you read the blog lately, you already know that I turned 27 on Sunday. It was a birthday to remember! First of all, I had the chance to share it with the people I love - my family was here. I rarely have the family with me on my birthday - not in recent years at least - because I am in a pre-season camp. Of course, having your birthday in the middle of the World Championships is unique - I mean, how much people can do that!?! Moreover, we had played against Croatia the day before, it was our first day off in a long time... it was a good as it gets! I blew the candles on my birthday cake with my teammates and friends. It was a classic birthday, one to remember forever!
It was tough to beat Croatia, very tough. They had been in the press and news talking about how perfect, fast and good the Serbian team was, putting the obligation to win on us. That relaxed us a bit and well, Croatia is a very good team. They showed us in the opening 30 minutes, in which they beat the hell out of us. In the end, our talent and longer bench allowed us to win the game. That, and the fact that Aleksandar Rasic played great in the final minutes. I am very happy for him, because he never had this kind of role. He is an excellent shooter and one of the smartest players I know - and he is a great guy, too! He knows everything about basketball, how to play with or without the ball, how to get people involved... and I am glad that he showed the world how good he is. He had a different role as shooting guards, Coach Ivkovic changed his role - but he is a very, very good point guard, as you, Euroleague and Partizan fans, know already.
We are trying to make Spain think they have the obligation to win - just like Croatia did against us. Fact is, if they win, everything is fine, they are the World and European champions and we had a good tournament. If we win, however, everything will be perfect. We are in a good situation and I guarantee no other team in this championship is hungrier than us. We are 100% ready to play against Spain and are a young team - well, not that young anymore now that I am a year older!
Every time I play an important game - I am talking about a really, really important one - outside Serbia, I always get to face Felipe Reyes. He is a great player, tough and talented, willing to give 100% against anyone. He is always hungry, no matter if he plays in the ACB, the Euroleague or with his national team. He fights for every ball and I am very motivated to play against him. This kind of challenges make me a better player, because I know I have to give EVERYTHING I have to beat a player like Felipe. We faced in the 2007 ULEB Cup semifinals and Reyes ate the Lavrinovic twins alive in the decisive second game. We played against in the Spanish League playoffs this season, when my team Cajasol was about to down Real Madrid in the quarterfinals. And here we go again, an important game against Reyes - a player that makes you give your best.
So far Turkey, Slovenia and USA had very easy wins in the eighthfinals. It was even boring to see them win by 40 or 50 points. It was more or less expected that way, the favourites won and the tougher games are coming up. Maybe I expected a little bit more from France against Turkey and it is sad to see my new teammate Nando De Colo leave the tournament. We have to be happy, as we have no injuries, everyone feels OK and we know we are talented. By the way, I read today that USA and Russia are playing exactly 38 years after the 1972 Olympic final. You know, the one that the Soviet Union won against USA in Munich, a very famous, controversial game. I am sure both teams will think about it, especially Russia.
It is great to be in the World Championships. I have never been in such a big tournament, the biggest one involving national teams after the Olympics. We are in the quarterfinals, playing hard and with a young team. We feel good! I guess it is a great preparation for my Euroleague debut season. Don't get me wrong, I know I am ready to play in the Euroleague and this is why I chose to join Power Electronics. I am hungry to show the world I can play in the Euroleague. The World Champs will help, but I was ready even without being here. It is a good beginning of the season!
I would like to end this blog with a message to all Spanish fans, especially in Valencia. I am really sorry, but you will have to hate me for one day! We will beat Spain so I would like to apologize in advance. Sorry guys, but we are going to down Spain. Like I said, hate me for one day, but support Serbia on our way to the title!
POSTED BY
DUSKO SAVANOVIC - TURKEY
DATE:
Tuesday, September 07, 2010