Nikola Kalinic: 'The pressure is war in Ukraine, playing for Serbia is a pleasure' / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

The temperature is rising in Ljubljana before the friendly showdown between two European powers – Serbia and Slovenia.

Nikola Kalinic

Position:SFAge:30Height:202 cmWeight:101 kgBirth place:Subotica, SerbiaProfileNewsStatistics

The duel attracts enormous attention in Slovenia, as everyone wants to see the NBA superstars and the replay of the EuroBasket 2017 final.

National team players are also looking forward to the start of the match that takes place tonight (August 17) at 20:15 CEST.

"For sure, everyone wants to sell as many tickets as possible and create a rivalry. I think it's great that a match has such a background, but it's still a friendly game. Both are great national teams that have certain tactical ideas.

We hope that it will be an entertaining match to watch, like the final against Slovenia in 2017, which was a spectacle for the fans," Nikola Kalinic said ahead of the friendly game in Ljubljana, per Mozzart Sport.

"Slovenia is a great national team, they are European champions and it is always good to play against the best. I think that both teams will use this match in order to achieve a good result at the European Championship," the Serbian forward added.

Many NBA aces will perform at the upcoming EuroBasket, and Nikola Kalinic has no doubts – it will be one of the strongest continental championships.

"In my opinion, this will definitely be one of the strongest European championships. Lots of good players... Jokic, Doncic, Dragic. A lot of players from the NBA, but also from the EuroLeague. People are eager for national team matches, there will be many fans and good entertainment."

Before every championship, Serbia ranks among the favorites for a medal. But according to the new FC Barcelona signing, great expectations do not bother him too much.

"We play basketball and enjoy it. We are now preparing and want to be as good as possible. The pressure is war in Ukraine or anywhere else. These are things that are pressure, basketball is enjoyment at the end of the day," Kalinic stressed.

There is no doubt that Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic will be at the center of attention in tonight's friendly game between Serbia and Slovenia. Kalinic did not spare nice words regarding both NBA superstars.

"As soon as Nikola is here, it means he wants to play and compete. He is one of the best players, maybe the best in the world right now," Kalinic commented on his teammate and then recalled Doncic's beginnings in the EuroLeague.

"An outstanding basketball player, an outstanding guy. He did incredible things in the EuroLeague, playing for Real Madrid. They beat us, Fenerbahce, in 2018 final. There we saw who he is and what he can do.

He has tremendous talent, plays with ease, and the things he achieves in the NBA are significant. Kudos to him. Together with Jokic and Antetokounmpo, he represents European basketball in a great way."

Last but not least, Kalinic touched on the hot topic in Serbia – the NT departure of Milos Teodosic.

"The people, who were supposed to talk about the case, have already told what they needed to: head coach, president of the Federation... Teodosic is our friend, our captain and we are all sorry that he will not be with us.

But at the end of the day, these are decisions and they were made as it is. Today is a new day and let's move on. We are focusing on the European Championship," Kalinic concluded.

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