By Marti Artigas

 

See Croatia competing in a Division "B" European Championship is surprising, but after watching them how they played last summer in Bilbao for the U20 event you can conclude that they deserve this. They ended in the last position of sixteen teams, even having prospects like Boris Barac ('92) or Ivan Batur ('91). One year later they needed to come back the fast as possible to the elite. In the Division "B" held in Sofia (Bulgaria) they didn't start well, with a defeat against Great Britain in the second day, but finally made it getting one of the four spots available to return with the best teams. Eventhough they finally earned the title also beating Czech Republic in the final (88-80). One of the mot important pieces of the team coached by Niksa Bavcevic has been 6'2'' guard Roko Rogic ('92), who averaged 13.1 points, 4.1 assists and 4.0 rebounds. Eurohopes talked with him.

 

"I'm surprised how well some teams are prepared. I thought that the struggle for A Division would be a little easier. However I did expect a high level or basketball in the top 3 teams", explains Rogic, who last year played in Alkar Sinj loaned from Cedevita. Asking him about the keys of the success he says that "we've been working hard for the past two months and this is only the result of that. We found each other both on and off the court like a family". Personally he felt good: "I felt well most of the games but I did have a few bad moments after which the coach and the team gave me support and lifted me back up to lead them to the semifinals".

 

Twitter of the author: @marti_artigas

 

Photo: FIBA Europe / Bulgarian Basketball Federation