Our aim is to qualify for the European Championship. We are determined to elevate Montenegro as a respected basketball nation by securing our place in the EuroBasket. We are focusing on each game and must give our all to succeed.

These statements were made by the head coach of the Montenegrin national basketball team, Boško Radović, back in February during the announcement of the qualifications for the upcoming EuroBasket, where our team was placed in a group alongside Germany, Sweden, and Bulgaria. Fast forward a year, and we have reached our goal. Montenegro will be competing in the continental tournament for the fifth time ever, and the third consecutive time—a significant achievement reflecting our sustained presence in major competitions.

The EuroBasket qualification served as a basis for an interview with the coach. In a discussion with “Vijesti,” Radović shared insights on the qualifications, the impending championship, generational changes, and the younger teams, as well as why he waved his ticket to EuroBasket after the match against the Swedes.

“We gave it our all. This qualifying ‘window’ has been the toughest during my coaching career. The road to EuroBasket has never felt more unpredictable or difficult. Every team stayed in the running until the last round. That’s why I cherish how it all concluded. Across all championships, whether as an assistant or head coach, this is my favorite moment of qualification,” Radović stated to “Vijesti.”

Even in the final round of qualifying, the team faced challenges, missing players like Bojan Dubljević, Marko Todorović, Igor Drobnjak, and Çarlij Mura, while Nikola Ivanović only participated against Sweden. Additionally, Vladimir Mihailović, Marko Simonović, and Luka Bogavac, who suffered a broken nose against Germany, were also absent. To compound matters, Andrija Slavković injured his hand during the game in Stockholm. Slavković, together with Zoran Nikolić, Dino Radončić, and Nemanja Radović, had played in every qualifying match.

“Against Germany, we were without playmakers. In Sweden, we missed Simonović, Mihailović, and Bogavac. Slavković also got injured at half-time in that game. We’re hoping for their speedy recovery,” the coach added.

Montenegro secured two victories over Bulgaria and one against Sweden during the qualifications.

“We managed to overcome our direct competitors decisively. We won every crucial match required to fulfill our qualification dreams, finishing the qualifications in an organized and disciplined manner,” the coach remarked.

LIMITED POOL FOR THE A TEAM

A significant challenge before the final two matches was assembling the team.

“We’re accustomed to working with limited rosters. Comparing my extended roster from five and a half years ago with the recent one, it’s evident there’s a shortage of players eligible for selection. The Federation and clubs must address this. The pool of players available for the national team has diminished, which indicates a flaw in our system,” Radović cautioned.

It’s premature to discuss the roster for EuroBasket.

“We have players in their prime who hardly miss significant competitions. However, as time progresses, it becomes increasingly challenging for them due to the lengthy seasons. The team will blend experienced and younger talents who are expected to form the core of the national squad in the future. We will gain better clarity on this at the season’s conclusion.”

IF VUČEVIĆ IS FIT, HE’LL BE AT THE EURO

Currently, Nikola Vućević is set to participate in EuroBasket.

“Nikola reached out just 15 minutes post-match against Sweden to congratulate us. If he stays healthy and all goes well, he will be at the European Championship. Following the Olympic tournament last summer, he expressed his readiness to compete in EuroBasket if we qualified. He consistently gives his best for the national team; he’s an exceptional talent,” said Radović.

The uncertainty lies in which foreign players will make the final roster. Kendrick Perry made a considerable impact on the national team, while John Radebau made a return in the last qualifying “window” after nearly three years away.

“Radebau stepped in, performed admirably, and I’m grateful for his contribution. Our main requirement is for a player to fill the one position. There are several options regarding naturalization, although nothing is finalized yet.”

The EuroBasket draw is set for March 27 in Riga, with the championship taking place from August 27 to September 14 in Latvia, Poland, Finland, and Cyprus.

“We need clarity on our playing venue. I can’t discuss our goals until we ascertain our roster and group. Every team aims to perform at their best. Our goal is to stand out within whatever group we’re placed,” he stated.

Following EuroBasket, World Basketball qualifiers will commence. A generational transition is on the horizon; however, the coach mentioned that none of the seeded teams have announced withdrawals.

“The players in their prime shouldn’t be counted out; none have indicated they won’t participate, nor have I considered excluding them. They continue to perform at a high level. Look at Blagota Sekulić, who ended his playing career at 37,” noted Radović.

IT WOULD BE A PRIVILEGE TO CONTINUE AS COACH.

Radović’s contract concludes following EuroBasket. He is the first to lead the national team in three major tournaments, having previously been part of the coaching staff for Duško Vujošević, Dejan Radonjić, Bogdan Tanjević, and Zvezdan Mitrović.

“I’ve always been motivated, enthusiastic, and dedicated to being Montenegro’s national team coach. Challenges have arisen consistently over the years. It will be a challenge to achieve results with younger players. It’d be an honor to continue in my current role,” he expressed.

During the press conference after the Sweden match, the coach dedicated a portion of his speech to what he referred to as “quasi-experts”—individuals who claim to know better than the team and coaching staff. He humorously “waved a ticket to EuroBasket” in their direction to highlight this.

“I must defend my players and staff from undue scrutiny. A segment of the public, both casual and professional, would have been satisfied with our failure to qualify. However, we are going to EuroBasket, which we hope disappoints those who wished otherwise. By waving that card, I wasn’t directing it at myself but, rather, at those who unjustly target the players and the coaching staff,” he clarified.

Radović reinforced that qualifying for EuroBasket is a tremendous achievement.

“We need to cease questioning whether our qualification for the European Championship is a good thing. Being ranked 11th in the world was excellent, not just good! There are many genuine fans who recognize the difficulties we face and appreciate our efforts, and I thank them for their support. I would also like to thank those who continuously pose questions,” he asserted.

He also acknowledged his coaching staff’s commitment.

“Everyone who joins the coaching staff is here out of passion. They are volunteers, whereas I’m the sole one receiving a salary. When it comes to financial matters, these individuals have to support themselves. It can’t always be ‘I’m happy to be here.’ For instance, Vlado Todorović serves as an assistant coach at Budućnost and could choose to work elsewhere. Many teams would gladly welcome his expertise. We need to respect that,” Radović clarified.

PROGRESS IS LACKING SYSTEMATICALLY

A portion of the interview focused on the future of Montenegrin basketball, especially concerning the younger teams, following the commendable medals won by the cadet and youth teams.

“Since our independence, we have consistently fielded U16, U18, and U20 teams in European Championships, predominantly in the A division. We have secured two medals—a silver for the cadet team and a bronze for the youth national team. The cadet team’s success is attributed to our respected colleague Mladen Ostojić, while the youth medal results from Dušan Dubljević’s guidance. Alarmingly, I see only four members from the cadet national team actively involved in basketball: Jovan Kljajić in Gran Canaria, Viktor Vujisić in Teodo, Bojan Tomašević in FMP, and Marko Kljajević in Zlatibor,” Radović pointed out.

The cadets achieved their medal in 2017, and the youth team earned bronze in 2022.

“Sadly, the youth team isn’t integrated into our system. The players were scattered across Europe. I doubt whether Andrija Grbović, who spent time in Ulm, maintained consistent participation during his youth team tenure. Luka Bogavac was in France, then with Mega, while Filip Andjušić shifted between junior and senior teams, and Đorđije Jovanović was with Partizan before relocating to the USA. Fedor Žugić was the only one settled within the larger systems during that period.”

These young talents should form the foundation of the national team in the years ahead.

“We expect four or five players from the bronze generation to join the national team roster. There’s exceptional talent like David Mirković. Igor Drobnjak has been on the team for years and competed in major tournaments. Kljajić and Žugić should remain eligible for the national team for at least another decade.”

Regarding the younger teams, last summer proved disappointing. The young squad lost all seven matches and faced relegation to the B division, which includes cadet and junior teams.

“Systematic progress is minimal. The U16 and U18 teams had no chance to qualify for the A division, and the younger team was demoted to B. I failed to see anyone making significant contributions to warrant a jump back to A division teams in the ABA and ABA2 leagues. It’s too convenient to attribute failures to the selectors of the youth teams, who often have only a month and a half with these players,” Radović honestly stated.

Clubs have a vital role to play in this regard.

“Historically, we had numerous players from Budućnost within the younger teams, facilitating their transitions. Here’s a striking observation: last summer, there were no players from Nikšić in the cadet, junior, or youth national teams. Only three players represented the various teams, which is quite concerning. Nikšić has been a crucial base for Montenegrin basketball. This situation is alarming and warrants attention,” the coach emphasized.

Both clubs and the Federation must collaborate effectively.

“Clubs like Lovćen, Sutjeska, and Jedinstvo must reestablish their foundations. Legally, they are all classified as clubs. However, many re-registered clubs have morphed into basketball schools. Clubs must work together with the Federation and the state to reinstate focus on youth teams, or we’ll face increasingly severe challenges moving forward,” Radović warned.

WE WERE 11TH IN THE WORLD, IT’S AS IF WE DROPPED AN ATOMIC BOMB ON BASKETBALL

Recognizing sports’ potential to promote Montenegro, Radović also addressed the state’s commitment to popularizing basketball. For the national team to flourish, grassroots basketball must be encouraged across younger demographics, requiring collective efforts.

“Being ranked 11th in the world felt like we dropped an atomic bomb on Montenegrin basketball. Yet, nothing changed. Recruitment of young players vanished, and there was no marketing follow-up.”

He contrasted the handling of Montenegro’s EuroBasket qualification with that of Georgia.

“Georgia qualified for the European Championship and received national honors. They celebrated with considerable awards. They boast an impressive squad, yet I believe we hold a competitive edge over them. In Georgia, qualifying for major tournaments is a national celebration. Nobody questions the method of winning—whether it was a defeat or a narrow victory. We need to alter our mentality,” the coach concluded.

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