Serbian basketball "Eagles" fly to China for World Cup; Captain left behind

Serbia's basketball team is heading to China on Tuesday to play three preparatory games ahead of the start of the FIBA World Cup in that country.

According to RTS, among those traveling today will not be the captain of the "Eagles" ("Orlovi" - nickname for members of Serbia's national sport squads) Milos Teodosic, who will stay in Belgrade for more therapy.

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Prior to departing for Shenyang, head coach Sasa Djordjevic will hold a press conference Tuesday to discuss the team's plans and condition ahead of the start of the world championships.

At least for now, there is hope for recovery of Serbia's playmaker, and as the deadline for players to register is two days before the start of the tournament, August 29, it's not impossible for Teodosic to join the team.

For now, it's also known that Vladimir Lucic will embark on the final leg of preparations, as he has recovered from a hamstring injury that forced him to miss the Acropolis Cup. It's also been announced that in case Teodosic fails to recover in time, Miroslav Raduljica will take over the team's captaincy.

Those traveling to China ftoday or the preparatory tour include: Stefan Jovic, Vasilije Micic, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Marko Guduric, Marko Simonovic, Vladimir Lucic, Stefan Bircevic, Nemanja Bjelica, Nikola Jokic, Boban Marjanovic, Miroslav Raduljica and Nikola Milutinov.

The first of these games will be against Italy on August 23, followed by New Zealand on August 25 and France on August 27.

The World Cup in China begins on August 31 and runs through September 15.

(Telegraf.rs)