PARIS (France) – The upcoming Women's Olympic Basketball Tournament Paris 2024 will likely see Serbia largely completing their transition from an incredible golden generation to the new group for the years ahead.
With the legendary Sonja Vasic and Jelena Brooks having retired at Tokyo 2020, a glut of other experienced players who have all been at the center of Serbia's amazing success could be about to have their swansong.
Famously bronze medalists on their Olympic debut at Rio 2016 and making the Semi-Finals at Tokyo 2020, this edition will likely be an even bigger challenge.
But another genuine legend in Marina Maljkovic always finds a way as she juggles her veterans and upcoming ballers into a team that can compete on the global stage - as we all saw at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022.
The Roster
The backcourt will see Yvonne Anderson continue to catch the eye, with the guard a force at both ends of the court and very much a trusted general of Coach Maljkovic.
There is also likely to be a prominent role for Jovana Nogic, whose influence and production has grown considerably during the last couple of years.
There will be massive experience on the wings with the likes of Nevena Jovanovic and Sasa Cado, who have been in situ since the start of Serbia's rise.
The frontcourt will be dominated by Tina Krajisnik, the super-strong center who is an anchor for Serbia. The highly mobile and skilled Dragana Stankovic was super at the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 in Brazil and she could also be hugely important if she continues to hit that level of form.
The Question
It's been a staggering decade or so for Serbia but are they about to run out of charge, or do they have still have a collective spark bright enough for the highest stage?
In the past, it's been Vasic or Brooks pulling them out of a bad situation - in the biggest games of all. Now they probably don't have that kind of baller to put the team on their back - although maybe Anderson comes close.
If Serbia do it and deliver 'success' (however that may be defined) then they will really need to do it as a team.
The Hope
Serbia continue to punch above their weight. Continually written off, they always surprised and went way beyond expectations.
Arguably punching harder than any other nation at the international level considering their talent pool and size, this toughness and ability to dig out the most incredible results on a consistent basis is in their DNA now.
The hope is that this trend continues for at least one more time, ahead of a potential completely new phase from next year's FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2025 and beyond.
The Fear
As tough as it sounds, sometimes reality bites you hard in elite sport. Is this a tournament too far for the Serbia vets who have given such amazing service down the years?
Probably not, but it is a valid fear that too many players might not have enough gas left in the tank or be in a high enough gear to replicate those truly remarkable past glories.
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