Jonchevski: I congratulate the guys, we have two more tough cycles ahead of us
There are reasons to be happy the head coach of the Macedonian senior national team, Aleksandar Jonchevski, after the victory over Slovakia at home. A second triumph for our best selection at the beginning of the pre-qualifications for EuroBasket 2025.
The victory was more difficult than expected after the initial success in Denmark, which brought new, additional motives to our national team before the duel with the Slovaks.
– First of all, this was a very difficult match. Fatigue was perhaps felt more in our team at the start, because we had a lot of turnovers. Something we agreed to implement with Denmark, which is to minimize the number of turnovers, we failed. We lost nine possessions by halftime, it cost us a lot of points in transition and we couldn't overcome that in the second half. I congratulate the guys who in this cycle came to two very important victories in a situation where out of four teams, only one goes further. However, the work is not finished because Norway has the same status as us. We have two more difficult cycles ahead of us - said Jonchevski.
The selector also analyzed the developments on the court in SRC "Kale":
- As for this match itself, Slovakia, regardless of the fact that they had lost at home to Norway, came in quite motivated. They shot 46% on three-pointers. We tried to change the defense at half time, something worked, but not in the full picture. In the end, I am happy because we won, a triumph for which the players are the most deserving - are the words of Joncevski.