Croatian NT for Olympic 2008.

[mvblair]

Matt's Uninformed Comments on Croatia's 2008 Campaign

• Croatia survived the ‘90s and will now enter a basketball rebirth. This was an Olympic appearance worthy of the early ‘90s. This is not our classic team, but a new, faster, tougher team.
• Represa is a good coach. He’s young and has a great future ahead of him. Croatia is lucky to have him.
• Popovic was brilliant against Russia. Let’s hope he comes back to play.
• Barac might not put up great numbers, but he knows how to play. Is it true that he can shoot three-pointers though? I don’t think so.
• NBA fans will light Ukic. Unforunately, he’ll be playing behind Calderon in Toronto.
• What would've happened if Croatia had healthy guards? Could they have beaten Lithuania? Could they have beaten Spain? I don't think so, but the thoughts linger.
• Team Croatia and Team USA were the two most balanced teams in Beijing. Give credit to Represa.

[Picek]

another problem for us..
Planinić is injured
they still don't know how serious..

[STOP]

I love Croatia NT because I found it similar to my favorite Lithuania. Good Luck for Croatia tommorow, play good but don't win

[Picek]

unfortunately Popović will miss remainder of the tournament..
it's something about his foot..
anyway this is a huge blow for us..
Repeša will now have to use a 10 man rotation with only 3 guards available..
Kus, Planinić and Ukić...
simply not enough to win against anyone except of maybe Iran..
too bad...

[g.g]

Grčka – Hrvatska 86:71 (22:26, 28:14, 16:22, 18:9)
Grčka: Papaloukas 12, Bouroussis 4, Spanoulis 12, Zisis 2, Vassilopoulos 10, Fotsis 15, Printezis 4, Gliniadakis 1, Tsartsaris 4, Diamantidis 10, Schortsianitis 9, Pelekanos 3
Hrvatska: Ukić 10, Popović 3, Tomas 14, Banić 14, Barać 3, Kus 2, Planinić 5, Prkačin 2, Rozić 8, Lončar 10, Nicević.

we were up 24-16 and then dissapeared.. Greece scored 7 three pointers, we made only 4..
if we won't be scoring 7-10 three pointers every game we will have a hard time against everyone..
but nice to see Tomas is continuing with his good play..
Rudež probably didn't play, I guess he won't be playing the entire tournament..

I am well impressed with the CRO team. Before the OQ I didn't count them lots but they have proved themselves. They are very solid and strong with deep bench without any superstars (that is the bb that I like). I believe they would do v. well in the Olympics.

[Picek]

Grčka – Hrvatska 86:71 (22:26, 28:14, 16:22, 18:9)
Grčka: Papaloukas 12, Bouroussis 4, Spanoulis 12, Zisis 2, Vassilopoulos 10, Fotsis 15, Printezis 4, Gliniadakis 1, Tsartsaris 4, Diamantidis 10, Schortsianitis 9, Pelekanos 3
Hrvatska: Ukić 10, Popović 3, Tomas 14, Banić 14, Barać 3, Kus 2, Planinić 5, Prkačin 2, Rozić 8, Lončar 10, Nicević.

we were up 24-16 and then dissapeared.. Greece scored 7 three pointers, we made only 4..
if we won't be scoring 7-10 three pointers every game we will have a hard time against everyone..
but nice to see Tomas is continuing with his good play..
Rudež probably didn't play, I guess he won't be playing the entire tournament..

[each way]

Is there anywhere online I can watch or follow the scores to this preparation game? Thanks.

[Picek]

So we aren't the only ones with this great planning...

nope..
I think Germans also played only one game (vs Finland) after the qualies..
our team spent 7-8 days in preparation camp and then they travelled to Beijing..
it's not about planning.. one has to consider that those three teams already played a lot of friendlies and 4 (germany 5) official games in july..
not playing friendlies so close to the start of olympic tournament is not a bad solution IMO..
this way we had more time to prepare for the opponents and if couldn't build a team play in those 10-12 games in the last month and a half then playing a game or two wouldn't help us..

[KWSN-Men]

we will play our only preparation game against Greece tomorrow (07.08.)..

So we aren't the only ones with this great planning...

[Gyroscope]

we will play our only preparation game against Greece tomorrow (07.08.)..

I will attempt a wild (and entirely unfounded ) prediction:
The team that will LOSE this game, will do remarkably well in the tournament.

[Picek]

we will play our only preparation game against Greece tomorrow (07.08.)..

[Picek]

and I was right, Rudež is the one going to Beijing..
Repeša didn't want to risk making things worse with Markota's injury so between Rudež and Tomić he picked Rudež..
I expected that simply because Rudež can play as PF also.. not against stronger bodies ofcourse..
anyway he will have an opportunity to play his first official game for Croatia.. and that opportunity will be a game on the olympic tournament, I guess that is best debut someone could ask for..

[Picek]

Have there been any rumours about who will be the 12th man for the Olympic squad, or if Markota could be back by then?

Markota could be ready by I don't think there is any chance Repesa will take him to Beijing..
it will be either Rudež or Tomić..
my guess is Rudež 'cause he is more versatile, he is not a PF but could play it in order to open some space inside with his outside shooting..

[London78]

Have there been any rumours about who will be the 12th man for the Olympic squad, or if Markota could be back by then?

[Ilya]

I am so happy for the Croatian team! It was about time, mates, congrats!