By David Hein
Milos Teodosic is one of Serbia's leaders at the U20 European Championship Men. The play-maker also was a central figure in Serbia's title runs at the 2003 U16 European Championship Men and the 2005 18 European Championship Men.
Unlike his team-mates from both of those 2003 and 2005 teams Nikola Dragovic and Dragan Labovic, Teodosic was not however on the team that captured the U20 European Championship Men last summer in Izmir.
Instead, Teodosic spent the summer 2006 in the United States participating in the Global Games in Dallas.
This summer, he has averaged 16.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists through four games, three of which Serbia have won.
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We play with a lot of pressure already because everybody expects us to come home with the gold medal |
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Should he lead Serbia to the U20 gold, Teodosic could then make his mark with the senior national team as he was selected to take part in Zoran Slavnic's training camp for the EuroBasket 2007, which begins on July 19.
After collecting 26 points, two rebounds and five assists in Serbia's victory against Turkey on Tuesday, Teodosic talked to David Hein on behalf of FIBA Europe about the U20 European Championship and the Serbian senior national team.
FIBA Europe: Milos, congratulations on beating Turkey. What does the win mean for the team?
Teodosic: We knew that the game would be very tough especially mentally. We really didn't play too smart defensively, especially rebounding. Turkey gave us a lot of problems with offensive rebounds under our basket. But we won, and that was the most important thing.
FIBA Europe: Your team-mates Nikola Dragovic and Dragan Labovic both played with you and won gold at the U16 and U18 European Championship Men. They also won the title last summer without you. You are back now. Is Serbia again the team to beat?
Teodosic: Everybody wants to beat us because we won the titles in juniors and U20. Everybody plays with more energy than usual against us. But I think we are enough smart and have energy and skills to finish this mission.
FIBA Europe: Last summer you were in Dallas for the Global Games. How was the competition there?
Teodosic: It's really all the same. Izmir, Italy, Slovenia or Dallas, everything is the same. The same basketball and the same players at this age group. There's no big difference.
FIBA Europe: What was your experience like in the States?
Teodosic: I don't really like America very much. I have plans to play in Serbia and in Europe. Though, maybe one time, why not, maybe in America too.
FIBA Europe: There are a lot of scouts looking at players like yourself in this Championship. Your thoughts about that?
Teodosic: It's not really good for young players. We have pride to play for the national team of our country. If somebody comes from America to watch us and promise millions or big things, that is a big pressure for us. We play with a lot of pressure already because everybody expects us to come home with the gold medal.
FIBA Europe: Serbian senior national team coach Zoran Slavnic has selected you among the players for the training camp for EuroBasket 2007. What would it mean for you to play in Spain come September?
Teodosic: It's a big honour to be a member of a national team, especially the senior national team. In history, Serbia, or Serbia & Montenegro or ex-Yugoslav natioanal teams always finish competitions with big results. And every young player in Serbia dreams of being a senior national team member. I will try my best to be among the 12 players for the EuroBasket and do eveything I can for our team.