After being free in the first round, the “Students” suffered a defeat in the second round away from Mega. The duel against Budućnosti gives them the opportunity to redeem themselves in front of the home crowd, who were impatiently waiting for the return of top basketball to Sarajevo.
The form is not ideal – Bosnia has a busy schedule behind it and a fresh defeat against Lublin in Poland in the FIBA Europe Cup, just two days earlier.
Coach Aleksandar Damjanović points out that his team must show character and reaction after two consecutive failures:
“We are facing an extremely difficult opponent who has been playing at a high level for years and has continuity in results. We respect the future, but we are focused on ourselves – to correct mistakes from previous games and raise the level of play. Defense will be the key, we expect a trench fight and a lot of running. We know where we are and we are going to win.”
Damjanović also expressed dissatisfaction with the timing of the match:
“I must point out that we are disappointed with the actions of the ABA League, Buducnosti and Arena Sport Television, who did not accept our request to postpone the date, even though we are still returning from the previous European match. That is why we will practically play this game as guests. Regardless of everything, we will give our best and show character.”
(Vijesti.ba)
