All eyes on Teodosic: ''I'm happy I'm here to help us do what we need to go to the World Cup''

BELGRADE (Serbia) - Serbia got the best possible news ahead of their final two games in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers: Milos Teodosic will play against Estonia and Israel, and those will be the only two chances to catch one of the all-time greats opening his bag of tricks this season.

"I will play these two games and I'm done for the season," the 31-year-old said after joining the training camp of the national team. "I will not play for the rest of the season, my plan is to get back in shape for the next season through the summer with the national team. Now I'll rest, work on myself and then prepare first for the national team, then for the next season.

"I'm always glad to play for the national team. Really I'm so happy I’m here to help as much as I can, to win at least one game. That is what we need to go to the World Cup."

The point guard had memorable experiences at the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2010, when he knocked down one of his trademark clutch shots, to defeat Spain in the Quarter-Finals.

He was even more impressive four years later in Spain where he led Serbia all the way to the Final.

It's of no surprise that he is relying on another successful World Cup run with the national team to get him into the best shape for the next club season.

But in order to get to the summit, Serbia need to collect one more win over the next couple of games. A game away from home in Estonia is their first match point, one that the point guard hopes will be aced away, making the second fixture against Israel a formality.

And a chance for Belgrade based fans to witness his magic one last time this season.

"I think the guys who carried these Qualifiers on their backs deserve a full Pionir arena because of them, (not because of me). It could be an extremely important game, and I hope people will come."

Coach Sasa Djordjevic could not hide his smile while announcing that Teodosic will be with the team, but hopes that "Milos did not celebrate the birth of his daughter too hard."

"I'M ALWAYS GLAD TO PLAY FOR THE NATIONAL TEAM. REALLY I'M SO HAPPY I'M HERE TO HELP AS MUCH AS I CAN, TO WIN AT LEAST ONE GAME. THAT IS WHAT WE NEED TO GO TO THE WORLD CUP."- Teodosic

Players like Marko Simonovic explained that Serbia just got at least 30 percent better because of the return of the point guard, but even with all eyes on him, the former FIBA Europe Player of the Year does not feel any additional pressure.

"I'm used to it. Nothing new. It's only important that we focus on the next two games to achieve our goal. It's not like I'm in the greatest shape, but I think I have enough energy and strength for these two games."

Serbia take on Estonia in Tallinn on Thursday, before focusing on the last game of the campaign, against Israel on Sunday. With Teodosic on board, the mythical Aleksandar Nikolic Hall could witness yet another joyful night in the history of Serbian basketball.

FIBA