Bogdan Bogdanovic and the rest of the Serbian men’s national team received a significant boost the morning before their knockout game against Lithuania in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, on Tuesday.
Bogdanovic revealed that their injured teammate Borisa Simanic had sent a motivating text message that provided the team with the much-needed inspiration to overcome the streaking Lithuanians.
The 25-year-old Simanic had been hospitalized during Serbia’s match against South Sudan in the first round after being struck by forward Nuni Omot in the kidney area. He underwent surgery for the second time last Sunday due to complications.
“I want to start by mentioning something from this morning. Our teammate who is still with us, Simanic, gave us amazing energy. We were nervous yesterday while moving to another hotel, from Grand Hyatt to Conrad, and everything. We were nervous,” shared the sharpshooter from the Atlanta Hawks.
Simanic’s words proved to work wonders as Serbia sent Lithuania, who were coming off a magical win over Team USA, packing following a lopsided 87-68 result in the quarterfinals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“He texted us this morning. He texted us saying, ‘Hey guys, after two surgeries, I’m alright. I’m healthy. Let’s get the win, don’t think about me, and let’s win tonight.’ It was a huge boost and a tremendous source of energy for us, so thanks to Borisa [Simanic],” he added.
Bogdanovic led the Eagles and scored 18 of his team-high 21 points in the first half. He also recorded four rebounds, three assists, and two steals in the win, while Filip Petrusev contributed 17 points and six rebounds.
On a more personal note, the 31-year-old shooting guard from Belgrade said Simanic’s words helped him overcome his nervousness, which stemmed from his previous encounters with the Lithuanians.
“I was particularly nervous. I was somehow in my young age. I was always losing against Lithuania, and I was so nervous,” said Bogdanovic.
“Then I saw the message from Borisa in the morning after the long meeting. He said, ‘Guys, I’m good. Don’t worry. Let’s win tonight.’ For him to be thinking about us after everything that happened to him, he united us, and that’s an amazing, amazing guy, and this victory is for him as well.”
