Serbia's Nedovic welcomes visits home that new FIBA calendar will bring

BELGRADE (2016 Rio Olympics) - One element of FIBA's new system of competition that has struck a positive chord with foreign-based Serbia national team player Nemanja Nedovic is that several times each year, he will get a chance to go home.

Over a four-year cycle from 2017 through 2021, national teams will play regular home and away games to qualify for the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup and the 2021 FIBA Continental Cups.

"I am looking forward to it," Nedovic said to FIBA.com. "Some players will go home for a little bit during the season and that means a lot."

I think it's a good way to play the qualifications for the big stage. - Nedovic

The windows for the qualifiers to the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup will be: 20-28 November 2017, then 19-27 February, 25 June-3 July, 10-18 September and 26 November-4 December 2018, with the last window taking place from 20-28 February 2019.

Putting on the Serbia shirt is a priority for Nedovic. He says he grows from the experience. Time with Serbia's national team affords him an opportunity to learn from excellent coaches and to compete alongside top players.

The national team is always good for players to regain confidence, some motivation. It's always a big honor to play for your country, in front of your people. It's always a great experience. - Nedovic

For most of last summer, Nedovic and his fellow Serbians reeled off one victory after another. They built on their runners-up finish at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup and made a run to the Semi-Finals of the EuroBasket. 

Then, needing a victory against Lithuania to clinch a spot in the 2016 Olympics, Serbia lost, 67-64. What was potentially one of the greatest sporting moments of his life became one of his biggest disappointments.

Serbia then had the difficult task of rebounding against the host nation, France, in the battle for third place. Les Bleus beat Serbia, 81-68.

"Emotionally it was hard because we had a great tournament until the end against Lithuania," Nedovic said. "We were seeing the gold medal already and reality hit us hard. It was emotionally tough, the season started two days after the European Championship, so it was a tough time to get motivated again."

All was not lost, however. By beating the Czech Republic, 89-75, in their Quarter-Final, Serbia had already secured a spot in one of this year's three FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (OQTs).

Serbia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Philippines and Turkey are in the running to stage the OQTs that will run the week of 4-10 July. On Tuesday 19 January, FIBA's Executive Committee will announce the hosts of the OQTs - and of the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament (WOQT) - with the draws for the four tournaments to follow a week later (Tuesday 26 January).

The winning team at each of the three men's OQTs will qualify for the Men's Olympic Basketball Tournament. Making it to an Olympics is right at the top of Nedovic's career objectives.

"It's really important," said the 25-year-old. "It's the highest stage of an athlete's career. It would be great if we could play the qualifications in Belgrade. Hopefully we'll get to be the hosts of the OQT because I don't think anybody can beat us there."

Nedovic and Serbia head coach Sasha Djordjevic at EuroBasket 2015

Nedovic wants to repay the faith that Serbia head coach Sasha Djordjevic has shown in him. The best way to do that would be to make the team and help Serbia get to Rio.

"He gave me a good role (at EuroBasket 2015)," Nedovic said. "He was a point guard (with Yugoslavia) so he understands what I like on the court and what I don't like. I'm really looking forward, I hope, to this summer."

FIBA