The FIBA World Cup is set to get underway this week and one team that is always a tough out in international play is Serbia.
Serbia has had great success in FIBA World Cup, winning the tournament in 1998 and 2002. They also won a silver medal in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, falling to the United States in the Championship Game. In 2010, Serbia finished fourth.
Serbia is in Group A, arguably the most difficult group in the tournament. They will be playing with Brazil, Egypt, France, Iran and Spain.
Serbia isn’t expected to contend like they have in the past, largely because of that difficult group but it will be a surprise if they don’t at least make it to bracket play. You can see their complete schedule below.
Serbia Schedule
August 30: Serbia vs. Egypt
August 31: Serbia vs. France
September 1: Serbia vs. Iran
September 3: Serbia vs. Brazil
September 4: Serbia vs. Spain
This is not an easy schedule for Serbia, having to play three very talented teams in France and Brazil and one of the tournament’s favorites in Spain. Of course, if they can win the games they should against Egypt and Iran, they should get out of the group because four teams from each of the tournament’s four groups (A-D) will advance into bracket play. You can check out the bracket play schedule below.
Round of 16 – September 6-7
Quarterfinals – September 9-10
Semifinals – September 11-12
Bronze Medal Game – September 13
Gold Medal Game – September 14
Continue to the next slide for roster information, key storylines and predictions for Serbia and Group A.
The Roster
Serbia is led by head coach Aleksandar Đorđević, who will bring another talented roster to Spain.
You can see the complete roster below.
Guards: Milos Teodosic (6’5, 195, CKSA Moscow (PBL)), Stefan Jovic (6’5, 196, KK Radnicki Kragujevac, Prva Liga (SCG)), Bogdan Bogdanović (6’6, 197, Fenerbahce Ulker, TBL (TUR)/Phoenix Suns), Stefan Markovic (6’3, 191, Unicaja Malaga, ACB (ESP)),
Frontcourt: Marko Simonovic (6’8, 203, Crvena zvezda, Prva Liga (SCG)), Nemanja Bjelica (6’10, 209, Fenerbahce Ulker, TBL (TUR)), Nikola Kalinic (6’8, 202, Crvena zvezda, Prva Liga (SCG)), Stefan Bircevic (6’11, 210, Estudiantes Madrid, ACB (ESP)), Nenad Krstic (6’11, 212, Anadolu Efes, TBL (RUS)), Miroslav Raduljica (6’11, 213, Los Angeles Clippers), Rasko Katic (6’10, 208, Crvena Zvezda, Prva Liga (SRB)), Vladimir Stimac (6’11, 211, FC Bayern Munchen, Bundesliga (ESP))
Their depth chart should look something like this:
C Nenad Krstić Miroslav Raduljica Vladimir Štimac
PF Nemanja Bjelica Stefan Birčević Raško Katić
SF Nikola Kalinić Marko Simonović
SG Bogdan Bogdanović Stefan Jović
PG Miloš Teodosić Stefan Marković
There are a few familiar names, especially in the frontcourt.
Krstić is an NBA veteran, playing for the New Jersey (Brooklyn) Nets, Oklahoma City Thunder and Boston Celtics from 2004-2011. Raduljica was just traded, along with a second round pick and swingman Carlos Delfino, to the Los Angeles Clippers for forward Jared Dudley and a second round pick. Both Raduljica and Delfino are expected to be waived.
Bogdan Bogdanović was the 27th-overall pick of the Phoenix Suns in this summer’s draft and most believe he has a bright future.
From the perspective of an NBA fan, those are the players worth keeping an eye on.
What to Watch For in Group A and Predictions
It is tough to imagine Serbia not getting out of their group although it might be hard for them to finish any higher than fourth.
San Antonio Spurs’ point guard Tony Parker won’t be suiting up for the French but they do feature Portland Trail Blazers’ for Nicolas Batum, Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier, Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert, Spurs’ forward/center Boris Diaw and Indiana Pacers’ big man Ian Mahinmi, among several other talented players.
Brazil features the likes of NBA veteran Leandro Barbosa, Cleveland Cavaliers’ center Anderson Varejão, Washington Wizards’ big man Nenê and Spurs’ big man Tiago Spliiter.
Spain is one of the most talented teams in the tournament, featuring the Gasol brother, Pau and Marc, former NBA forward Rudy Fernandez, New York Knicks’ guard Jose Calderon, Minnesota Timberwolves’ point guard Ricky Rubio and Oklahoma City Thunder big man Serge Ibaka.
Egypt and Iran do not feature NBA players and aren’t nearly as talented as the rest of the group.
Group A’s four will take on Group B’s four – that group is made up of Argentina, Croatia, Greece, Philippines, Puerto Rico and Senegal. The first seed in each group will take on the fourth and the second will take on the third.
I have Serbia finishing fourth in their group and losing in the round of 16.
What do you say, FanSided? How far does Serbia get? Can they win their group? Who do you think will win the FIBA World Cup? Sound off in the comment section below.