DANILO DRASKOVIC
08-07-2008, 11:30 AM
The bad news came from Serbian senior National Team. Darko Milicic (212-C-85) of Memphis Grizzlies won't be able to help his teammates on the upcoming Eurobasket 2009 Qualifications. Namely, due to Achilles injury Milicic already missed strong tournament in Moscow as well as a Diamond Ball in Nanjing. Head coach of the Team Serbia Dusan Ivkovic announced that the best solution for both sides is that Milicic leave NT camp in order to recover as soon as possible for his future obligations with the Grizzlies.
'Milicic suffered inconvenient Achilles injury on July 20. Despite it he traveled with us to Moscow and to Nanjing but he wasn't able to play. Therapies helped him but not as much as we expected. The last check we had yesterday but we decided that it is better for him to leave NT and focus on recovering. Most probably he will he ready to play very soon but the problem is that Eurobasket 2009 Qualification starts in two weeks and he for sure won't be 100% ready for it. We agreed together that the best possible solution is to find a replacement for him on position number 5. NT doctors will be on line with Milicic in order to help him recover asap' - said Dusan Ivkovic.
Serbian National Team is currently in city of Kovilovo where it prepares for the very important upcoming event. Serbia is placed into Group A for together with Hungary, Italy, Bulgaria and Finland. In the first round, which is scheduled for August 20, Italy will host Serbia. Basketball fans in Serbia will have an opportunity to watch their team their country on August 27 against Hungary. Two best teams from this group will automatically advance to the Eurobasket 2009. Third and fourth ranked teams will have a chance to do the same through the Additional Qualifying Round while the weakest team of Group A will fight for the survival in A division.
'Milicic suffered inconvenient Achilles injury on July 20. Despite it he traveled with us to Moscow and to Nanjing but he wasn't able to play. Therapies helped him but not as much as we expected. The last check we had yesterday but we decided that it is better for him to leave NT and focus on recovering. Most probably he will he ready to play very soon but the problem is that Eurobasket 2009 Qualification starts in two weeks and he for sure won't be 100% ready for it. We agreed together that the best possible solution is to find a replacement for him on position number 5. NT doctors will be on line with Milicic in order to help him recover asap' - said Dusan Ivkovic.
Serbian National Team is currently in city of Kovilovo where it prepares for the very important upcoming event. Serbia is placed into Group A for together with Hungary, Italy, Bulgaria and Finland. In the first round, which is scheduled for August 20, Italy will host Serbia. Basketball fans in Serbia will have an opportunity to watch their team their country on August 27 against Hungary. Two best teams from this group will automatically advance to the Eurobasket 2009. Third and fourth ranked teams will have a chance to do the same through the Additional Qualifying Round while the weakest team of Group A will fight for the survival in A division.