Slovak Republic out to master steep learning curve, reap first rewards against Sweden

BRATISLAVA (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019) - Two losses in a row at the start of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Pre-Qualifiers were significant setbacks for the Slovak Republic, but coach Ivan Rudez's side have demonstrated a profound willingness to learn from the process.

The Slovaks demonstrated progress in the steep learning curve, as they celebrated a 68-59 victory over Sweden to get on the board in Group A, with 37-year-old veteran Radoslav Rancik setting his younger teammates a fine example with a double-double of 15 points and 15 rebounds.

"I want to congratulate my players for the first win in the Pre-Qualifiers," said the team's Croatian head coach Rudez, the older brother of NBA player Damjan Rudez.

After breaking away in the third quarter to a double-digit 54-41 lead, the Slovak Republic seemed to have a clear path to securing their first win, but Sweden turned up their defensive intensity and knocked down a couple of shots to make it a one-possession game late in the fourth quarter.

"This is an important school for us and we are continuing to grow from game to game and that gives us great satisfaction."Slovak Republic head coach Ivan RudezSlovak Republic head coach Ivan Rudez

"Sweden made a lot of mistakes and had very bad shooting at the start of the game and we were able to take advantage of that. I think their defense towards the end took us by surprise, but we had built a big enough lead by then to hold on," said Slovak Republic center Peter Sedmak.

The hosts did eventually manage to hold off a furious Swedish comeback and coach Rudez says it is playing through moments like this that can help his team take their game to the next level.

"We came up against a very tough opponent, especially in terms of mental toughness. Many of our players who play in the domestic league are not used to playing with this much pressure," said the man in charge of the Slovak national team.

"This is an important school for us and we are continuing to grow from game to game and that gives us great satisfaction."

After getting their Pre-Qualifiers campaign back on track, the Slovak Republic will continue their home stand at the Hant Arena in Bratislava, hosting Armenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina in the next couple of fixtures.

Having lost to both of these teams by double digits on the road, will Ivan Rudez and his team get their homework done to fight another day in Group A and stay in the hunt for a top-two finish in the standings?

FIBA