SLO – New foot agony may knock Smodis out of qualifying event

ZRECE (FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Men) – A new foot problem could prevent Slovenia superstar Matjaz Smodis from playing in July’s FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Athens.

The CSKA Moscow forward had an operation on his left foot back in December but recovered in time to help fire the Russian giants to glory in both the Euroleague and the Superleague.

He has been with the Slovenia squad at their base in Zrece yet hasn’t been training with the team, but on his own.

"My participation in Athens is under a big question mark,” Smodis has revealed.

“For three weeks, since the end of the Russian championship, I have had pain in my right foot.

“As you may know, I had surgery on my left (foot) and this may be one of the reasons for my trouble.

“It is possible that I put too much pressure on my healthy foot at the time.”

Doctors have been looking at the problem, Smodis said.

“The final decision about my participation will be made by my doctor from San Francisco, in the United States, who has done some tests and will let me know about the results as soon as possible,” the player said.

“I hope the answer will be positive for me and the Slovenian national team. Otherwise, I will have to end my national team preparation and start working on my rehabilitation."

Smodis has had a brilliant career but one that has had its share of injuries, with back problems forcing him to miss several national team campaigns before last summer.

Slovenia can ill afford to lose Smodis with big man Erazem Lorbek having decided to rest instead of playing this summer.

"The pain is quite big and annoying - I feel it all the time,” Smodis said.

“Every time I put pressure on my right foot, it hurts.

“The doctor hasn't found any damaged ligaments or bones. He says the problem may be the blood flow in my bones. The final decision will be known soon, at the latest on Wednesday."

Slovenia are in Group C of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament with Canada and Korea.

FIBA