Ergin Ataman on Vasilije Micic not being allowed to join Serbia: 'Efes made the decision' / News - Basketnews.com

Ergin Ataman said it was Anadolu Efes that made the decision to not allow Vasilije Micic join Serbia NT for the game against Turkey.

Credit: Imago Images – Scanpix Credit Imago Images – Scanpix

AlthoughVasilije Micic was initially expected to wear the jersey of the Serbian national team in the World Cup qualifying game next Monday, theAnadolu Efes Istanbul point guard won't be joining the squad.

Vasilije Micic

Team:Anadolu Efes IstanbulPosition:PG, SGAge:28Height:195 cmWeight:92 kgBirth place:Kraljevo, SerbiaProfileNewsStatistics

So far, Bayern Munich's Vladimir Lucic and Fenerbahçe Beko player Marko Guduric have traveled to Belgrade to prepare for the match. Vasilije Micic was also expected to be in the Serbian capital, but the trip did not take place. According to the Serbian media,Ergin Ataman's decision was to blame for it.

Ataman, who's coaching both Efes and Turkey, allegedly rejected the idea of Micic playing for Serbia, opting to keep his star guard in Istanbul. Turkey beat Belgium easily on Friday night, but must also do the same vs. Serbia to keep their chances alive.

The Turkish coach spoke to NTV, giving his view of the facts and clarifying the situation.

"As a club, we were against Micic playing in the national team from the very beginning," Ataman conceded.

"However, after the pressure of the Serbian National Team, when Micic wanted to play, we did not allow it as a club. Before the very important match we will play against Barcelona on Thursday, we wanted to work with the entire squad, especially in [Shane] Larkin's absence," Ataman continued.

"[We did the same] Barcelona did by not sending another Serbian player, [Nikola] Kalinic. Here, there is no decision taken with national feelings.

As Anadolu Efes, we have made a decision. The news that 'Ergin Ataman did not give permission' is a provocation of the Serbian press," Ataman stated.

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