Serbia win while playing waiting game 28  august  2013

Eurobasket2013.org
In announcing their final squad for EuroBasket 2013, Serbia face a predicament different to most other teams affected by injuries, as their plans are hampered by the insecurity of potential, rather than confirmed, absences.
Serbia head coach Dusan Ivkovic has made it clear that he will wait on Milos Teodosic until the eleventh hour, before deciding on his 12-man squad that will travel to Slovenia for the big event.
The state of health of the star point guard, who has been following treatment for the past three months, as well as that of forward Vladimir Lucic, who is nursing a back injury, will be the decisive factor in the make up of Serbia's 12-strong team for the EuroBasket.
Ivkovic however might see time constrains forcing his hand in the matter, as the head of the medical sector of the Serbian federation said on Monday that it will be difficult to determine the availability of either player before the week starting 2 September, with the EuroBasket tipping off on Wednesday 4 September.
In the meantime, Ivkovic meanwhile has decided to release from the next stages of preparations two young players, shooting guard Nemanja Dangubic and power forward Luka Mitrovic.
Mitrovic led Serbia both in scoring and rebounding in July's U20 European Championship and both him and Dangubic are certainly poised to make their debut with the senior national team in a major tournament in the future.
Serbia's coaching staff has publicly thanked the talented youngsters for their efforts in training camp, and while they are free to join their respective clubs in pre-season training, they were asked to remain available for the national team in case further injuries occur before the start of the EuroBasket.
The two latest cuts from the team were announced after Serbia's 78-72 win over Turkey in a friendly tournament in Istanbul on Sunday, behind another brilliant display by their captain Nenad Krstic, who picked up 17 points.
Serbia won the warm-up Sportoto Cup, as they had previously registered comfortable victories over Croatia and Belgium during the first two days of action, and Krstic was named MVP of the competition.
Ivkovic certainly was in great spirits following these results, despite the puzzle of the final composition of his team is still unresolved.
"We won this well-organised and strong tournament in Istanbul due to our desire and our good team work," the Serbian coach said.
"It must serve as a stimulus during the final stage of preparations, to further increase our focus and help us reach the desired degree of form.
"On Thursday or Friday we will play another practice game, behind closed doors, that will help us to decide the last details before the start of the competition."
Serbia were drawn in First Round Group B at the EuroBasket, together with Lithuania, F.Y.R. of Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Latvia, and Montenegro.
Source http://www.eurobasket2013.org/en/coid_ErVenmg9HicKNxaWR0A...