Pesic praises Canada: 'We'll play against the best team in World Cup' / News - Basketnews.com

Serbia national team head coach Svetislav Pesic believes Canada is the best team in FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

Serbia prepares for the upcoming semifinal against Canada, and as the head coach, Svetislav Pesic, says, it will be a game against the best team in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.

Canada / Schedule

Canada Brazil65-69 Spain Canada85-88 Canada Slovenia100-89 Serbia CanadaFri08:45

"In my opinion, we'll play against the best team in the World Cup," Nikola Stojkovic from Mozzart Sport quotes Pesic. "Germany is the only team that reached the semifinal without a loss, but it showed what we all expected."

"Canada is a full package when we look at the defense and the way they play. They have a European coach, and his influence can be clearly seen. They play differently than Team USA, they have adapted a little more to FIBA rules. Better than the Americans," Pesic added.

Pesic also emphasized Canada's preferred small-ball and its transition offense.

"We know that Canada is a fantastic team that plays small-ball basketball. They just start with two tall players, but after that, it's all small-ball basketball, with four players outside [the paint] and one inside."

"That's what they do very well. It's NBA basketball. It's nothing new, but it will be important to organize ourselves, divide the roles, and who will guard whom. The most important thing will be to stop their attack in transition, where they're great. They are all excellent players with excellent numbers in their NBA clubs. All of them are good attackers and defenders," Pesic added.

Serbia will face Canada on Friday at 10:45 a.m. CET.

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