Dabovic-led trio joins Serbia in preparation for Rio

BELGRADE (Rio 2016 Olympic Games) - As EuroBasket Women 2015 champions Serbia continue the preparations for next month's Rio Olympics in their capital city of Belgrade, they received a major boost on Wednesday with the arrivals of Ana Dabovic, Sonja Petrovic and Aleksandra Crvendakic.

While Dabovic and Petrovic missed the first phase of the preparations because of their WNBA commitments, Crvendakic was busy leading Serbia at the FIBA U20 Women's European Championship 2016 in Portugal.

"We will do everything to make our people happy and proud." - Dabovic

After practicing more than a week in the resort town of Zlatibor, head coach Marina Maljkovic's side was to host African Champions Senegal on Thursday, but the game will not go ahead as the Western Africans have not made it Belgrade due to entry visa issues.

Dabovic, Petrovic and Crvendakic are joining Serbia's preliminary squad which will take on Turkey as part of a two-game warm-up series on Friday and Saturday in Belgrade.

Talking to the Serbia Basketball Federation's website, Dabovic - the MVP at last year's EuroBasket Women - said she is looking to spark her national team in Rio, where they have been in Group B alongside Spain, USA, Senegal, China, and Canada.

"I think we have a tough group, but I believe in the team and I'm sure we will not disappoint you. We will do everything to make our people happy and proud," the 1.80m shooting guard said.

Petrovic, a key member in Serbia's success last summer, backed Dabovic's comments that the Euroean champions will face stiff competition at the Olympics but they will make sure to compete.

"We want to be at our best in Rio. It is important that every game in the Group Phase must be played like a medal game. If we can make to the Quarter-Finals, we'll take our chances," she said.

Some highlights of Sonja Petrovic's 22 point night against the Sun for your Thursday afternoon viewing! pic.twitter.com/cpexLFPdfe

— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) June 30, 2016

Last week Crvendakic not only led Serbia with team-highs of 13.4 points and 10 rebounds as they claimed a fourth-place finish in Matosinhos, Portugal, but she also was named to the tournament's All-Star Five.

FIBA U20 Women's European Championship 2016 All-Star Five: Aleksandra Crvendakic (Serbia), Raisa Musina (Russia)  Julie Allemand (Belgium), Laura Quevedo (Spain) and Cecilia Zandalasini (Italy).

Now, the 20-year-old has a chance of battling for a spot in the Serbia final roster. If she can do well enough, she will be making her debut with the senior team in the most prestigious competition in Rio.

FIBA