Bjelica: ''I spent seven years playing for Serbia and it was very emotional watching them play without me''

HERAKLION (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers) - Nemanja Bjelica experienced a night of mixed emotions on Thursday when he made his debut for Serbia in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers against Greece.

He was bitterly disappointed that Serbia lost, 70-63, to complicate the team's path to the first-ever 32-team edition of FIBA's flagship event in China next year.

Only the top three sides in each of the four groups by the end of the Second Round will qualify from Europe. Serbia remained in third in Group L behind Germany and Greece (both 7-0) but with a 4-3 record. With five games still to play and Georgia, Israel and Estonia chasing them, they still have some work to do before booking their place.

"IT WAS TERRIBLE WATCHING THE NATIONAL TEAM DURING THE WINTER BECAUSE I WASN'T ABLE TO BE THERE. I SPENT SEVEN YEARS PLAYING FOR THE NATIONAL TEAM AND IT WAS VERY EMOTIONAL WATCHING THE TEAM PLAY WITHOUT ME."- Bjelica

On the other hand, Bjelica, who this summer left his NBA club of three seasons, the Minnesota Timberwolves, for the Sacramento Kings, was emotionally charged up on Thursday after wearing his country's uniform for the first time since FIBA EuroBasket 2015. Injuries, and his career overseas, had prevented him from suiting up.

"It was terrible watching the national team during the winter (the first and second windows of Qualifiers) because I wasn’t able to be there," he said. "I spent seven years playing for Serbia and it was very emotional watching them play without me. I just want to be healthy and ready to play for the national team."

Bjelica was a part of the young Serbia side that went on a stunning run to the FIBA EuroBasket 2009 Final and also almost reached the title game of the FIBA Basketball World Cup the following year in Turkey.

Bjelica played in the World Cup Final of 2014 against the United States

He did experience the elation of reaching the Final of the World Cup four years later in Spain, though the USA won that game convincingly.

One thing that he missed the past couple of years was the hot atmosphere of arenas that players experience when they compete in Europe. He got a taste of it in Heraklion, Crete against Greece.

"I was missing this atmosphere that I found in the gym of Heraklion a lot," he said. "I missed it. I like that the gym was packed. It’s great for the fans."

Despite having to play without Nikola Jokic, Boban Marjanovic and Milos Teodosic, the visitors still had their opportunities to win.

"Okay we missed some players, but we have to play better in the following game (against Estonia) and then in November, to beat Israel and then to qualify for the World Cup," Bjelica said.

"I WAS MISSING THIS ATMOSPHERE THAT I FOUND IN THE GYM OF HERAKLION A LOT. I MISSED IT. I LIKE THAT THE GYM WAS PACKED. IT'S GREAT FOR THE FANS."- Bjelica

One factor that helped Greece and hurt his own team was the commitment to team play that the opponents had, and his side did not.

"Here, in Europe, it’s all about the team," Bjelica said. "Offense and defense as well. I have missed European basketball. That’s why we lost the game against Greece. We didn’t play as team and Greece played as a team and in front of their crowd, Greece always plays in the highest level."

So Bjelica is happy to be back, but not happy about Serbia's performance.

"I missed the national team a lot," he said. "I do feel great to be back after the two summers that I didn’t play. But against Greece  we did look a lot like a team. That’s why need to change things. For Serbia, it's not good to play like this. We definitely need to play much better."

FIBA