Jusuf Nurkic: 'What's the point if four players sleep in one bed?' / News - Basketnews.com

Jusuf Nurkic thanked every single teammate after losing to Lithuania. The center also bashed the situation the national team was in before EuroBasket and even offered to take control of the entire operation.

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

Bosnia and Herzegovina held the chance to go to EuroBasket 2022 playoffs in their hands but lost the last two games against France and Lithuania, which meant that the Balkan national team had to go home.

Bosnia and Herzegovina / Schedule

Bosnia and Herzegovina Hungary95-85 Germany Bosnia and Herzegovina92-82 Slovenia Bosnia and Herzegovina93-97 Bosnia and Herzegovina France68-81 Lithuania Bosnia and Herzegovina87-70

Talking about the experience, the biggest star of the roster, Jusuf Nurkic, was nothing but proud of the work the team did throughout the tournament.

"It's always good or bad with us, there's no in between, I'm proud of the guys, coaches, professional staff. With the turbulence that we had, this is impressive, I'm proud of them, I congratulate everyone who participated, we gave our best, and Bosnia and Herzegovina can be proud," he said to SportSport.

The national team has been riddled with difficulties leading up to EuroBasket. It was not known up until the very last weeks whether Nurkic and his teammates were going to the tournament at all.

Nurkic is even ready to take everything over to himself if that means improved conditions and decreased uncertainty for the country's national teams.

"It starts with the Federation. What do we have? Do we have people who lead it, do we get a coach 10 days before? A lot of things happen before sport, sport is the easiest part.

Give me the President of the Association, the director, and the Board of Directors, and Bosnia and Herzegovina will never have problems with preparations, hotels, or food again. If you can do that, I am ready to take over all the functions myself if it's up to me," Nurkic said.

The Bosnians looked noticeably tired during the last match against Lithuania. Although the players tried to mount a comeback, their efforts were denied by the fired-up Lithuanians.

"What's the point if four players sleep in one bed, if we don't solve some things that are priorities? People have to understand that the national team is above everything, in any matter, we have to know that the athletes are given the best conditions," the center spoke.

"We will not progress, we can do these miracles, because these are miracles, because you leave with 12 guys who absolutely gave their maximum. I'm proud of everyone because they gave their last atom of strength to do their best. I really can't blame anyone," Nurkic concluded.

Following the defeat, Bosnia and Herzegovina will miss the EuroBasket 2022 playoffs while Lithuania will battle against Spain in the Round of 16.

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