Aleksa Avramovic on World Cup final loss: 'We'll have better chance next year' / News - Basketnews.com

Aleksa Avramovic believes Serbia will have an even better chance in the 2024 Paris Olympics because of how close the team got during this year. Partizan guard also added he's very proud of the result in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

Even though Serbia lost the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 final against Germany, Aleksa Avramovic had one word to describe his feelings.

Player of the Game EFF 22 Johannes Voigtmann Points 12 Accuracy 4-5 Rebounds 8 Assists 3

"Proud."

"We made great success, we leave with our heads up," Avramovic said in the post-game conference. "Our next goal is to go to the Olympic Games and have an even greater success. Germany has been playing amazingly, even last year, they won the bronze medal."

"They have been playing for many, many years. This and their physicality decided this game even though it was very close.

We have been going through many problems. You know what happened to our friend and teammate Borisa.

In the first second of the game today, Ognjen Dobric sprained his ankle, and we know how important he is for our team. That's not an excuse, and we are proud of ourselves. We know we made our country happy and put a smile on their faces. I'm sad we didn't win, but I'm still proud. Tomorrow, I'll be smiling," Avramovic concluded.

Serbia struggled to score in the second half, but Avramovic stepped up big time and finished the game with 21 points (4/8 2PT, 3/7 3PT, 4/5 FT), 1 rebound, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 16 EFF.

"There was a lot of physicality. We somehow matched the physicality, but I don't know… You saw everything," Avramovic said about the offensive struggles. "I don't want to blame referees because I really respect and congratulate them. They officiated in the World Cup final, fulfilling their dreams just like I did."

"Germany played with more physicality in the 3rd quarter, and it caused us problems. Anyway, we came back and had our chances, but we missed it. This is basketball.

Someone needs to go home with silver medals, someone – with gold. For me, this silver medal… Even if we win a bronze or gold medal, it will always shine. That's my feeling, and the rest of the guys. We are already waiting for the Olympic Games," Partizan MozzartBet Belgrade guard added.

Finally, Avramovic believes that the gained experience in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 will pay dividends in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

"We knew two countries would make it, and it was our first goal (to make the Olympics) since the beginning of the World Cup. The second goal was to win the medal. We go home with success because we achieved both goals.

You saw Team USA. How many All-Star players did they have? And they didn't even get the medal. That's how competitive this tournament was. We gave our best, and thanks to the coach for helping us to reach the final.

I'm not even talking about basketball. I'm really proud of being able to share the locker room with players, coaches, medical staff, and the rest. We are like a family now. I think next year we will have better chances because we spent this year together," Avramovic concluded.

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