Bogdanovic wants to make the most of Croatia's second chance

BROOKLYN (2016 Rio Olympics) - The best adjective to be used for Croatia's basketball teams in recent years? It has to be 'unpredictable'.

When expectations have been low, the Croatians have often been able to get important wins that catapulted them into contention for medals, or qualified the country for important tournaments. When the national team has been among the favorites to challenge for a spot on the podium, as was the case last year at EuroBasket 2015? Croatia have disappointed.

Bojan Bogdanovic (CRO) played at EuroBasket 2015

The team steamrolled opponents in the build-up to the tournament and then hosted Group Phase games in Zagreb, where they finished runners-up to Greece. Next up against the Czech Republic in the Round of 16, however, was a nightmare. Croatia didn't just lose. They fell flat and suffered an embarrassing defeat, an 80-59 drubbing.

The team has nevertheless been awarded a spot in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) field. Croatia will play in the OQT in Turin, with host Italy, Tunisia, Greece, Iran and Mexico.

If Croatia win that event, they will clinch a spot in the Rio de Janeiro Games. Bojan Bogdanovic, one of the most gifted players in the national team set-up these days, will be a pivotal figure for Croatia if they are to clinch a spot in the Olympics. When Jasmin Repesa was coach in 2008, the Croats were among the three sides to claim a berth to the Beijing Games via the 12-team OQT in Athens.

Every year we have a great team and we wanted to reach a medal last summer. Unfortunately, we didn’t play as well as we wanted to and we need to stay focused now on the next OQT. We have a great opportunity to bounce back and try to get a spot to go to Rio. - Bogdanovic

"The group is tough and Italy and Greece are great teams, but we are going to try to get there healthy and to surprise everybody," said the 26-year-old.

Right now, the national team does not have a coach. Velimir Perasovic led the side last September but is at the helm of Laboral Kutxa in Spain.

The coach that does lead Croatia will have plenty of talent at his disposal. In addition to Bogdanovic, there will be Dario Saric, Krunoslav Simon, Ante Tomic, Luka Zoric, Mario Hezonja, Roko Ukic and Damjan Rudez. There will be other players champing at the bit to play, too, and bring some respect back to the country's basketball program.

Dario Saric (CRO) is one of many talents in Croatia's squad

So what must happen for Bogdanovic and Croatia to reach the Brazil Games? Croatia must finish in the top two of Group B, which also has Tunisia and Italy, and then win a Semi-Final against Greece, Mexico or Iran. The Croatians would then need to beat the other Semi-Final winner to advance to Rio.

It's our goal. It's a special event for everybody so we want to try to make it to Rio. Italy and Greece are very great teams, and we have also a lot of talent. It's going to be a tough battle, but we know we can qualify for Rio if we play at our best level. - Bogdanovic

What Croatia would love to do is bring back memories of the country's terrific run in 1992, after it gained independence from the former Yugoslavia. That side, which included legends like Toni Kukoc, Dino Radja and the late Drazen Petrovic, made it to the Final of the Barcelona Games.

That generation of players made history in Barcelona," Bogdanovic said. "They had so many talented players and their campaign went very well. They also had the opportunity for some of them to have great NBA careers, which was a great thing for Croatian basketball. They are examples of inspiration for every Croatian."

For now, Bogdanovic's focus is on finishing the NBA season strong. The Brooklyn Nets, his team, have struggled this season.

"It's frustrating," he said. "We thought we could fight for a playoff spot but things have been more complicated since the beginning of the season. We are too far away from a possible playoff spot now. It doesn't mean we have to give up. We have to keep fighting and try to win as much games as we can before the end of the season. The learning process is still going on and we need to keep improving."

FIBA