PARIS (France) - We've seen it happen so many times over the past decade. Bogdan Bogdanovic puts up incredible performances, plays his role perfectly every summer, and once he gets to the Final, he's leaving with his head down, emotional after failing to win the last game of a major tournament.
Not anymore. After losing the FIBA Basketball World Cup Finals in 2014 and 2023, after losing the FIBA EuroBasket Final in 2017, and the gold medal game at the 2016 Olympics, Bogdan was finally holding his head up high to the sky, smiling and enjoying the 'Freed From Desire' song blasting from the speakers of the Bercy Arena.
"First of all, we want to thank all the fans who supported us throughout this tournament, our families, the whole group. I'm proud of everyone. It's a huge, huge success to win the bronze medal at the Olympics," Bogdanovic told media members after winning his first bronze medal with the national team.
How hard was it to prepare for this game after the defeat to the USA?
Of course, there is some sadness behind that game against the USA, but we cannot go backwards. We can only be proud of what we achieved today. It was very difficult to wake up at 7am and to come here at 11 to play and compete. I'm so proud of the achievement we had.
After finishing second so many times, where does finishing third rank in your career?
When you stand on the podium, there is number one, number two and number three. But in my experience, winning the bronze medal is way harder than "winning" the silver medal. I know on the podium it doesn't look like that.
But for me, I'm honestly proud the way we competed the whole tournament. Not just this game. Even in losses, it's hard to say because the results are not always the real picture of the way we work and compete. I'm just proud of the way we ended this tournament.
We build a winning culture
Coach said this morning and yesterday, we build character, we build a winning culture, so let's finish that way. Don't end up with a bitter taste, so I'm proud of the way we finished.
What were the 35 hours between the last two games like for you?
We have one of the most experienced coaches here, and he gave us a good speech after the game against the United States. He lift us up, he kept the spirit in the team because everything we did was as a team.
Team success. Even when we lost, we had the same mindset. It was difficult to sleep and we didn't sleep that night at all. But the next day when we all got up, he was ready with the meeting.
He was ready with the same meeting that he did the whole year, a little bit longer, of course. But that was his way. We all believed, we didn't complain. We weren't late (laughs).
I'm just proud we did it together
We play together, we win together, we lose together, we are together. We celebrate together, we do everything together, everything together. That's the key of success, I'm just proud we did it together.
Was the World Cup 2023 Final defeat to Germany the reason why you were more motivated than usual?
Of course we had extra motivation, but also, we had more confidence. Because I know what Nikola (Jokic) is bringing to the table for us, and Vasa (Micic) as well, and everybody else. We knew we would play them again, and we knew we would meet again.
As I said, we continued to play team basketball, our way, and we were not afraid.
I hope we are healthy, as I said at the beginning of the preparation. I just hope we are all healthy and motivated, because without that, it's hard to build everything. I just hope we stay healthy and motivated for next competitions.
You had your moments with Carmelo Anthony sitting courtside, recreating his three-to-the-dome celebrations. What was that about?
If you know me, I enjoy the game. I like to compete, and I'll always compete with fire. I've been doing that for a long time, I know somebody is thinking it's a provocation or something, but that's media.
For me, it's just enjoyment, competitiveness, respect for him. To have him over there as a legend, nothing else but respect and competitiveness.
FIBA