Ahead of Sunday’s World Cup final, Serbia coach Svetislav Pesic spoke about the special clash against Germany and revealed what will be the key in the final.
“We are playing against Germany, probably nobody expected that, but I did – and that’s the most important thing,” said Pesic and explained: “I expected Germany, not because the other teams are weaker than Germany, but because they have shown the most in the tournament. They haven’t lost a game and are playing a perfect tournament.”
He said he was not surprised by the strong Germans. “I know the coach, the players, their system, their biggest strength is continuity – they have been playing together for many years,” the 74-year-old said on the sidelines of a training session on Saturday, noting, “They have a fantastic team, we are in for a very challenging game. When a team beats the USA and leads for the whole game, you have to respect that and prepare to the maximum.”
This final would be distinguished by “two very strong teams. Both made it to the final through teamwork, both have a winning mentality, both believe in themselves and their qualities. I am sure it will be a good final. “
Pesic’s knowledge of the Germans an advantage?
Whether it would be an advantage for Serbia that he knows German basketball so well, he could neither confirm nor rule out. “We will see about that. It’s hard to say, nowadays Serbian players are also well known, something like scouting exists.”
Of course, he knows the Germans “very well, I know the coach and the players personally. Whether that is an advantage, I don’t know. I prefer to look at my players. It will be an uphill battle, the Germans are a fighting team, they never give up.”
Key to the game will be the defence. “There is no dilemma there. We don’t have the size and physicality of the Germans, but we have good anticipation. But I don’t want to start talking about basketball intelligence, because intelligence without fighting spirit and commitment doesn’t help either.”
Pesic is also looking forward to the game for personal reasons, as he is meeting the country with which he became European champion in 1993 and which has since become his second home. In Germany “I matured into a coach, they gave me a lot, helped me to turn my talent into experience and quality. “
