Experienced Montenegrin national team player and Zadar guard Vladimir Mihailovic spoke openly for Basketball Sphere about extending his cooperation with the club, ambitions for the new season, and the emotional decision to retire from the national team after 15 years.
When he arrived in Zadar last summer, many wondered how the Montenegrin guard would fit into coach Danijel Jusup’s system. The answer came quickly – a season to remember, both personally and for the team. That’s why there was little hesitation when the question of extending the cooperation arose.
“Zadar proved to be the right choice for me last season. I felt great, had an excellent season both individually and with the team. That’s why I didn’t think much when the question of extension came up,” says Vladimir Mihailovic.
Claim Now Core of the team and recognizable style
After the season ended, Zadar’s management decided to keep the core of the team that brought stability and a recognizable style of play. In addition, reinforcements have arrived which, according to all predictions, could bring extra depth to the rotation. Mihailovic believes the club is on the right path to building consistent results.
“The core of the team has been retained, and we are additionally strengthened with players who, I believe, will fit in well and bring certain quality. I think we will continue to build our game on what has characterized us before – on the system the coach has been building for years,” he explains.
A duo That remains only an idea, but goals are clear
For some time, fans have imagined how the combination of Vladimir Mihailovic and Luka Bozic in the same rotation would look. Their different playing styles and positions suggested an intriguing blend of experience, energy, and versatility on the court. Mihailovic does not hide that it would have been a duo worth watching.
“Luka is a top-class player. We play completely different positions and have different styles, and precisely because of that I believe we would have cooperated excellently on the court,” emphasizes Mihailovic.
However, the basketball paths of the two players are diverging this summer — Bozic will continue his career in Spanish side Granada. For Zadar, this means adjusting and searching for new solutions in offense, but the club’s ambitions remain unchanged, regardless of the changes in the ABA League format.
“In the domestic championship, the goals are always the highest. In the ABA League we will try to reach the playoffs, which certainly won’t be easy, but I believe we can,” adds Mihailovic.
National Team – The Last Stop
Alongside club duties, Mihailovic is going through an emotional summer, as this September he will put an end to a national team career that has lasted 15 years. During that period, he was part of many important moments for the Montenegrin team, and now he wants to say goodbye in the best possible way.
“As Nikola Vucevic announced, the same goes for me. This will be my last appearance for the national team. This summer marks exactly 15 years since I debuted for the senior team. I hope we will achieve a good result,” he states.
This summer, Montenegro has faced a series of withdrawals, which has changed the look of the team and opened the door for new, younger players. This brings challenges, but also an opportunity to build a new generation of national team members.
“Most of us come from different clubs and systems. The most important thing is to put ourselves at the service of the team and help achieve a good result. We have had a lot of withdrawals this summer, which opens doors for players who have not had the opportunity until now. For us more experienced players, it’s important to help with adaptation and take on the biggest load,” he says.
Despite the changes, team atmosphere remains one of the biggest assets. Over the years, head coach Bosko Radovic has managed to build unity and trust among the players.
“The relationships in the national team are great. Coach Bosko Radovic has been doing an excellent job for years. Most of us know each other well, and off the court we are friends. Along with the love for the Montenegro jersey, that is another strong motivation to play,” adds Mihailovic.
Realistic expectations at EuroBasket
Without euphoria, but with a clear intention to give everything on the court – that is how Montenegro is entering the championship.
“We can’t go with big expectations. We have a changed roster and many withdrawals. We are going to give our best and try to reach the knockout stage,” concludes Vladimir Mihailovic in his conversation for Basketball Sphere.
