Djordjevic aims to achieve 'sports greatness' with Serbia at World Cup

BELGRADE (Serbia) - Aleksandar Djordjevic will be heading to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 looking for something bigger than "just" a podium finish. The Serbia national team head coach is out to achieve "sports greatness" in China.

Serbia will head to Foshan - where they will open their campaign in Group D against Angola, Italy and Philippines - with no shortage of recent international success, having reached the title game at the last World Cup in 2014, as well as at the Rio Olympics two years later and at FIBA EuroBasket a couple of years back.

And, because of that success, Djordjevic said the goal will remain the same in China.

"(SUCCESS IS) NOT JUST A MEDAL, THE TITLE, FIRST PLACE ... BUT TO ACHIEVE SPORTS GREATNESS THAT IS WIDELY RECOGNIZED BY YOUR COLLEAGUES AND ESPECIALLY YOUR RIVALS."- Djordjevic

"We respect every opponent, but we want to win every game," the  51-year play-caller told Serbian media. "The draw doesn't change our plan, or our goal. The goal is always the same, to win a medal. Serbia is always going for a medal, and I’m not saying we will always get to the podium, but it has to be a goal."

The former World Cup champion as a player with Yugoslavia in 1998 - who has been in charge of the Serbian national team since November 2013 - gave his take on the opponents in Group D.

"Italy is a team with a tradition, with a desire to prove their strength. Angola is a strong athletic team, hungry for success on the international scene. They have been dominant in Africa for some years now. And the Philippines is a country with the biggest passion for basketball, full of surprises and with some NBA players," he summed up.

Aleksandar Djordjevic has proven successful as a player and coach.

Djordjevic fielded 30 players in Serbia's 12 games in the European Qualifiers, but a number of the country's stars did not play in any of the six windows. The coach will not have an easy time choosing just 12 players for China. Even coming up with a pool of players for training camp will prove to be a challenge because of the sheer depth of talent.

"As a head coach, I have an obligation to put on the list our best players that are in the best shape, but also that deserve to be invited on a preliminary list because of their behavior," he pointed out. "After that, the list gets smaller and players decide if they want to participate in a competition we are preparing for. I said this a long time ago: injury is the only reason that I accept."

Djordjevic won the World Cup as a player in 1998 with Yugoslavia

Djodjevic, who in his playing days also won three FIBA EuroBaskets and an Olympic silver medal at the Atlanta 1996 Olympics, stressed the utter importance of the Serbia jersey.

"Priceless! This jersey does not tolerate mistakes. Our responsibility is 10 times bigger than others," he warned. "Those who accept the national team jersey directly accept unwritten laws, sport ethics and culture that, in my opinion, guide and lead to success."

"AS A HEAD COACH, I HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO PUT ON THE LIST OUR BEST PLAYERS THAT ARE IN THE BEST SHAPE, BUT ALSO THAT DESERVE TO BE INVITED ON A PRELIMINARY LIST BECAUSE OF THEIR BEHAVIOR."- Djordjevic

And success for Djordjevic is more than just a specific result.

"(It's) Not just a medal, the title, first place … but to achieve sports greatness that is widely recognized by your colleagues and especially your rivals," he explained. "That is clear to everyone since the first day of the Serbian national team. That is my mission, my path, my guidance with huge, immeasurable help from my associates."

FIBA