Gjergja ahead of the match with Serbia: We will give our best, we need the fans as a sixth player

(Patria) - After losing their first World Cup qualifier against Turkey in Istanbul, the BiH basketball players will host Serbia in Sarajevo tomorrow.

The Dragons' coach Dario Gjergja spoke about the preparation for that match and the situation in the team.

"We have overburdened some guys, I mean Castaneda, who doesn't get much playing time at his club. Yesterday was a recovery training session, we had time to recover. This morning, a short fitness session and some parts of the game, something we need to work on offensively against Serbia. Now we will also have a tactical training session to be ready for tomorrow".

BiH will be stronger tomorrow with Atić and Gutić.

"Atić and Gutić are returning. Atić was not with us in Turkey due to injury, and Gutić due to personal problems. But, thank you for responding and being available for tomorrow's match".

What can we do against Serbia?

"I can only ask the fans to be our sixth player. We will try to give our best within the situation we are in. Serbia will be stronger with Dangubić and Dobrić, they bring Euroleague experience for them. They had problems in the first game, Switzerland hit every shot and it's not easy to come back. They broke through with energy and we have to respond with the same energy".

What could be decisive tomorrow, new coaches and new teams?

"First of all, energy, but also possession of the ball, and you have to be smart offensively, but also lose minimal balls. Defensively, you have to be good one-on-one, in pick and roll, and control rebounds. These are the basic situations".

What do you think of the Serbian team?

"The first half was a bit scared. The guys from Switzerland hit everything, then it's not easy to play. The energy Serbia showed in the last 14 minutes was extra. Unexpectedly tall players hitting shots, especially Ristić. It's normal to have ups and downs. It's not easy to be a team after two and a half training sessions. It's not easy when a lot changes. Only teams that keep their roster, without NBA and Euroleague players, know how to maintain game continuity", Gjergja concluded for N1.