Miroslav Raduljica, the new center for Greek team Maroussi, spoke in an interview with SportKlub about his past season with Crvena zvezda.
Raduljica joined the Crvena zvezda in early September 2022. However, Dusko Ivanovic, who replaced Vladimir Jovanovic as the head coach of Crvena zvezda, did not see the 35-year-old center in his plans.
“It was an interesting season in the sense that, speaking about me, I will touch on the club as well. I think I didn’t get a chance unjustly, and in our conversation with the coach, we came to the conclusion that maybe he should have told me earlier if he didn’t see me in the team and that I should try to find another place.
I’m just sorry I didn’t get a chance because I think I could have used it very well, and I wasn’t a wasted player at all. But, well, that’s the coach’s philosophy. I respected it a lot. He is a father figure to everyone, both as a coach and as a person, and there’s not much room for discussion. His word and decision are respected,” said the former national team player and continued:
“I did what was in my power, even more than what was in my power, especially at this age, and I don’t think I received the respect I deserved, at least based on some past merits, if we want to talk about that. But, it’s okay,” emphasized Raduljica.
“It’s very stupid for someone who has always played at a top level and in top clubs to end up sitting on the bench.”
Despite all, the former Partizan player does not regret his time in the red and white jersey.
“I’m not sorry that I was there; I’m just sorry that I couldn’t show more to the fans than what I showed in those few games. It all turned out that I spent the whole season sitting, but I wasn’t a wasted player, and then the story was that I came here to end my career, which was not my goal at all.
It wasn’t my goal for that story to start or for me to end my career, especially not in that way. It’s very stupid for someone who has always played at a top level and in top clubs to end up sitting on the bench just because someone didn’t give him a chance, right?” Raduljica said when asked about his season with Crvena zvezda.
“Losing in the final is a success”
The former vice-world champion with the Serbian national team and this year’s FIBA Basketball World Cup.
“Honestly, I don’t watch basketball much when I’m not playing, so I didn’t follow it closely from the preparations. But of course, when the tournament started, I know those guys; they grew up alongside us, so to speak, it’s that newer generation that’s coming up, and I’m really happy for them. I was rooting for them with all my heart.
I can’t really say I had any expectations; of course, I would have loved it if they had won. But I joked that it’s good that they didn’t win, then we’ll remain the only ones who haven’t won gold. I’m kidding, of course. We watched that final with friends, and I followed it very emotionally.
I’m sorry that both we as players and they, can’t really understand that when you lose in the final, it’s a success because it really is. It’s an incredible success to be second in the world, again, considering all the conditions our national team and clubs work and stay in, it’s not just a success, it’s beyond any measure and expectation.“
“Socializing is more important than any medal”
Serbia has won the silver medal at major competitions five times in the last 13 years.
“Sometimes I’m sorry that we don’t know how to be happy about that silver and that fifth place and that I don’t know what other place because our fans are a bit spoiled. We are to blame; we’ve talked about it a hundred times because we achieve certain results, and people expect it to always be at that level. But there are a million and one factors just to get to any place, to get to the championship, and only then to win a medal and achieve success.
I’m very happy for those guys, I’m very happy that they get along well. That has always been the most important thing to me, more important than any medal. I’ve said that several times, and I’ll say it until the end of my life because I don’t know where my medals are, but I know who my roommate was and who I trained with and who I achieved success with,” concluded Miroslav Raduljica.