Serbia's coach Alimpijević: "Results give us room for several match points"

Serbia's national basketball coach, Dušan Alimpijević, characterized his commitment to the team as an act of "love," highlighting the exceptional collaboration he shares with his players. Following a crucial victory against Iceland, Alimpijević shared insights into the team's performance and strategic approach.

He acknowledged a slow start in the first quarter, attributing it to the unexpected and atypical style of play from Iceland. However, the team adhered to their plan, focusing on limiting the opponent's shooting percentages, particularly from three-point range. Alimpijević noted that the defense was effective for three quarters, holding opponents to under 20 points per quarter and controlling transition and open-point scoring.

The coach emphasized the importance of the win, regardless of the margin, as it significantly aids Serbia's quest for World Cup qualification. He also noted the fortunate outcomes of other qualifying matches, with key rivals Italy and Lithuania suffering defeats. These results, combined with Serbia's own victories, particularly in earlier windows against Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina, create a more favorable path forward.

Looking ahead to the upcoming match against Italy, Alimpijević expressed satisfaction with the team's current momentum and approach. He acknowledged that player Jovan Novak had been unwell, even receiving an IV drip, and that Dejan Davidovac would be ready for the Italy game. The coach aims to neutralize Italy's recent success against Serbia, indicating a strategic focus on disrupting their established patterns of play.