0

Slovenia began the championships with an easy win against Senegal (96-79). The next match against Italy, however, established the pattern which eventually destroyed the team's hopes. After a strong start in the first half, the team inexplicably lost its concentration and self-confidence, allowing their opponent to catch up and win by a few points. It happened against Italy (76-80), China (77-78) and Turkey (84-90). Even against the USA, Slovenia had a brilliant start in the first quarter but then lost 95-114. The only "normal" game was against Puerto Rico, which Slovenia won 90-82. While the majority of the players and head-coach Ales Pipan considered the team's top 16 finish a success (it was their goal before the championships), wins over "basketball dwarfs" Senegal and Puerto Rico and the four defeats left many Slovenian basketball fans unimpressed. Journalists, on the other hand, were offended by the team's media boycott which was declared ahead of the decisive game with Turkey. While the team justified the media blackout with (allegedly untrue) statements made through unnamed reporters (the Radio Slovenia's Franci Pavser Jr. was mentioned as the culprit), journalists reproached them for being the only team in Japan limiting media access. "Our European and World Championship performances are being praised throughout the basketball world - by colleagues from other teams as well as by foreign journalists," maintained coach Pipan, while also acknowledging that the media boycott had been a mistake. "Our players have a lot more to say on the court and we should set our goals even higher in the future. The whole world plays basketball and they are all good, they all have goals - but only one team can make it to the next round... We were close, two more minutes and the top 8 would have been ours. Well, a place among the world's 16 best teams is also a major success," Pipan added. The developments in Japan also took a toll on the players, many of whom have announced that they are going to give their future participation on the team some serious thought. Team captain Radoslav Nesterovic had already voiced his reservations during the tournament, Bostjan Nachbar, another Slovenian NBA player, has said that at least a temporary break from the team is definite, Marko Milic has been on the team since 1993 and there are many others who might no longer consider participating on the national team as a priority. While it is a shame that the team with its many stars will probably not come together with its current line-up again, the time also seems to be ripe for certain changes, specifically in the form of new, younger players. In the end there is no reason for deep concern - in June, the under-20 team took bronze at the European Championships.