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| Bostjan Nachbar | ||||
Though they finished sixth at EuroBasket 2005, nobody partied harder than Slovenia after a win over Croatia guaranteed them a spot in the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan. Slovenia had taken part in every EuroBasket since they achieved independence in 1991 but have never been further than the final eight. As on previous occasions, the Slovenians didn't have much of a problem qualifying for EuroBasket, so expectations were once again high. But a slow start against an average Bosnia & Herzegovina team indicated that Slovenia didn't come to Belgrade with their best game. But the next two games were a different story as more then 5,000 Slovenian fans crowded into the Pionir Hall to support their team which completely outplayed Greece 68-56 and then dominated France 68-58. Slovenia qualified for the quarterfinals and had played so well that many experts thought they were headed for the podium. There was only one obstacle that stood between them and a decisive medal game and unfortunately it was Dirk Nowitzki and Germany. Even though the Slovenians managed to limit the German wunderkind to only 22 points, his teammates stepped up and Germany ended Slovenia’s medal dreams. But the goal of qualifying for the World Championship was still with in reach. The opponent would be their fierce rivals Croatia and almost 10,000 fans came to support Boštjan Nachbar, Radoslav Nesterovič, Primož Brezec, Jaka Lakovič, Sani Bečirovič, Marko Milič and the others. Slovenia won the game 89-80 setting off big celebration that flowed through the streets of Belgrade. The collective hangover was more than obvious as the next day Slovenia suffered a 79-70 loss to Lithuania. It changed little – Slovenia was still going to Japan.
Biggest EuroBasket Disaster
After Slovenia defeated Italy 77-67 and Bosnia & Herzegovina 73-62 before narrowly losing to France 88-82 at EuroBasket 2003 in Sweden, it looked like the time had come for their first quarterfinal appearance. Slovenia were the obvious favourites against Israel in the elimination game and they took an early lead 27-10 lead. Coach Slobodan Subotic then made some strange decisions that allowed Israel to slowly get back into the game. Tal Burstein became Israeli’s hero and a Slovenian nightmare, making a short jumper with 2.7 seconds left in the game and Slovenia lost 78-76. Later the press found out that only couple of hours before the game a fight broke out between Marko Tušek and Boris Gorenc at the lunch table.
Best Individual Performance/Best Player of All-Time
On the evening of the Slovenian declaration of independence, the Yugoslavian National Team was preparing for the semifinals of EuroBasket 1991 in Italy. Jure Zdovc, the only Slovenian player on the Yugoslavian team, decided not to play the last two games since Yugoslavian tanks were on the streets of Slovenian towns. For the previous five years legendary coach Dušan Ivković (and Mirko Novosel at EuroBasket 1989) had Zdovc in the starting five of the National Team since he was the best defensive player in Europe. With Yugoslavia, he won a silver medal at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, gold at the 1990 World Championship, EuroBaskets 1989 and EuroBasket 1991.He also played 57 games for Slovenia, good for seventh on all-time appearance list and second on their all-time scoring list. In 1993 he also won a European club crown with Limoges.
Scouting Report
With six NBA players and several stars playing in Europe like Marko Tušek, Matjaž Smodiš and Sani Bečirovič, head coach Aleš Pipan seems to have plenty of options. But his problem in the past two tournaments (EuroBasket 2005 and last year;s FIBA World Championship) was how to make a team of them. Even though in Japan he could choose between Jaka Lakovič, Beno Udrih and Sani Bečirovič for the play-making spot, Slovenia's game wasn't fluid enough and most of all nobody was able to make big shots at the end of games.
Prediction
The goal of the Slovenian team will largely depend on the squad which will be represented there. If all the best players come, they will be among the candidates for a medal. But if all who hinted they will take an international break are still missing, Slovenia will have problems qualifying out of a group that includes France, Italy and Poland. It is likely that something in between a medal and losing in the preliminary round will happen and they will hope to qualify for the Pre-Olympic tournament.
Likely Squad
New Jersey Nets star Boštjan Nachbar was the first to announce his international break after last year's World Championship. Then an avalanche followed. Beno Udrih, Sani Bečirovič, Marko Milič, Matjaž Smodiš and Primož Brezec would make a more than respectable team but they all hinted that they might not play in Spain. Some of them may change there mind however, so head coach Aleš Pipan announced that the Slovenian team will be strong again. One thing for sure is that he won't have problems at power forward where Erazem Lorbek of Lottomatica Roma, Uroš Slokar of the Toronto Raptors, Željko Zagorac of Ural Great and Goran Jurak of Climamio Bologna could match any group in the tournament. After Nachbar and Milič quit, the weakest point could be small forward. Marko Maravič is a solid player but not world-class so the guards and power forwards will have to come to the rescue. Most notably, this would mean Smodiš, should he decide to play.
Last 10 FIBA Events
2006 - World Championship Saitama Tied for 9th
2005 - EuroBasket Belgrade 6th
2004 - Olympics Athens, Did not qualify
2003 - EuroBasket Stockholm, Tied for 9th
2002 - World Championship Indianapolis, Did not qualify
2001 - EuroBasket Istanbul, Tied for 9th
2000 - Olympics Sydney, Did not qualify
1999 - EuroBasket Paris, 10th
1998 World Championship Athens Did not qualify
1997 EuroBasket Barcelona 14th
