''We won some friendlies, but this is different now'' - Serbia's Boban Marjanovic

FOSHAN (China) - Serbian big man Boban Marjanovic knows his team are among the World Cup favorites, but they have to actually win games first before they can celebrate anything.

Serbia have gone on nearly unscathed in their long series of tune-up games heading into the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 in China, beating the likes of France, Greece and Lithuania among others.

"WE MAY HAVE BEATEN SOME TEAMS IN FRIENDLY GAMES, BUT THIS IS DIFFERENT NOW BECAUSE EVERYTHING MATTERS IN THIS TOURNAMENT."- Boban Marjanovic

So loaded have Serbia been and so dominant that they've unseated Team USA in the latest FIBA Basketball World Cup Power Rankings and are among the most heralded title contenders as the biggest stage of international basketball soon begins.

"So far we like everything that's happened," said Marjanovic. "We love playing for our country and putting our team in this event, the World Cup. This doesn't happen often. I mean, you practice all your life, watch other players at the EuroBasket, at the World Cup, at the Olympic Games. Everything makes sense when you're the one finally here. You feel great, and we're just so excited."

Looking ahead, Marjanovic and the rest of his team are expected to dominate in Group D against African side Angola, Asia's Philippines and fellow European squad Italy. 

Marjanovic is cautiously confident. He knows that any team can win over another on any given day, especially when an opponent has a particularly brilliant performance. For the 7ft 3in (2.22m) slotman, there is greater value in treating each game and each opponent with a high level of seriousness and respect.

"Every matchup is a good and tough matchup. Everyone here is good, and for sure, they've practiced hard like us," he explained. "One play on offense, on defense, one foul can affect the whole game. In one game, one guy may also have the best night of his life, and you cannot do anything about that but just give your best. Our team must be smart and show respect to everyone, especially our opponents. We have to be professionals."

In their build-up to the World Cup, Serbia have not lost a single game. They have gone 11-0 in their tune-up games, giving credence to the most people's collective impression that they may actually be the favorites to lift the World Cup trophy this year and not defending champions Team USA.

 
Ask any of the Serbians, though, especially Marjanovic, and they'll be the first to admit that they've achieved nothing yet. They are fully aware of the pressure that comes with being a title contender and the reality that none of their tune-up wins matter if they lose their World Cup fixtures. These are the games they need to win - the games that matter.

"Of course, it won't be easy at the World Cup," Marjanovic said. "We may have beaten some teams in friendly games, but this is different now because everything matters in this tournament. We must stay focused for those 40 minutes of each game."

FIBA