Serbia national team players Vanja Marinkovic, Ognjen Dobric, and Vasilije Micic acknowledged their solid effort but highlighted Kevin Durant's exceptional performance in defeat against Team USA.
The Serbia national team showed commendable effort in their opening game of the Olympics but faced a formidable opponent in Team USA.
Despite the loss, the players were not overly disheartened, recognizing the superior quality of the American squad. Vanja Marinkovic reflected on the match, emphasizing the team's strong first-half performance but noting Kevin Durant's game-changing impact.
"We played well in the first half, but Durant made the difference along with our turnovers," Vanja Marinkovic said via Mozzart Sport.
Durant's remarkable 21 points in under nine minutes of the first half were pivotal.
"When he gets into a rhythm, it's tough. We played hard and fair, but those lost possessions hurt us," Marinkovic added.
With crucial games against Puerto Rico and South Sudan ahead, Ognjen Dobric elaborated on the upcoming challenges, stressing the importance of the next matches.
"We know what's ahead," Dobric noted. "We've watched Puerto Rico and South Sudan play. They are excellent teams, and we must play as fiercely as we did tonight," he stated.
Dobric acknowledged the team's persistent effort against the NBA stars, highlighting the need for perfection against such high-caliber opponents.
"They punished every mistake. Their quality allows them to quickly turn any opportunity into points," he said.
Dobric also reflected on his personal performance against Team USA, expressing pride in competing against such a formidable team.
"I felt good on the court. We showed we can play with them, especially in the first half. Durant's incredible performance was the turning point, and the final score doesn't reflect the effort we put in," said Dobric.
Meanwhile, Vasilije Micic provided a brief analysis, praising the individual talent of the American players while acknowledging the team's own strengths.
"Their individual quality is impressive, but that’s no surprise," Micic said after the game. "It's not easy playing against them, but we weren't that bad. We started with a lot of energy and needed to stay calm and continue fighting. This is an opportunity for each of us to prove ourselves in the Serbia jersey."
Serbia's next game is scheduled for Wednesday at 17:15 against Puerto Rico, a crucial match for their aspirations in the tournament.
Game highlights
