ON
← Back to feed
Mijatović: We got exactly what we wanted, I have only one complaint
Croatia⚽ Sports8/23/2026

Mijatović: We got exactly what we wanted, I have only one complaint

Croatia's basketball team coach Tomislav Mijatović expressed mixed feelings after his team's 87:96 loss to Germany in the final of a friendly tournament in Hamburg. While he acknowledged the defeat, he stated that the two matches played over two days were exactly what the team wanted during their preparation phase. He noted that the main issue was losing 21 balls in the second quarter, which he considered excessive for any team. Mijatović mentioned that they expanded their rotation and played evenly in three quarters, but the second quarter was uncharacteristic of their performance. The team now faces the final stage of preparations against Latvia and the Netherlands, aiming to be at their best for those upcoming games. Player Jaleen Smith emphasized the importance of facing strong teams like Turkey and Germany as a valuable test, expressing confidence in future victories against Latvia and the Netherlands.

Croatia's national basketball team suffered an 87-96 defeat to Germany in the final of a friendly tournament in Hamburg, marking the end of a two-day competition against top-tier teams. The match took place on Saturday following a victory over Turkey earlier in the week. Despite the loss, head coach Tomislav Mijatović expressed satisfaction with the overall performance, emphasizing that the games served their purpose in preparing for upcoming qualification matches against Latvia and the Netherlands. Mijatović acknowledged disappointment over the final result but highlighted several positive aspects of the team's play. He noted that Croatia had performed well in three of the four quarters, maintaining parity with Germany for much of the game. However, he identified the second quarter as a critical issue, citing 21 turnovers as a major factor in the loss. These turnovers were deemed excessive and a point requiring correction moving forward. The coach also praised the team's ability to rotate players effectively, ensuring that all 12 players received playing time within appropriate minutes. The Croatian team faced both Turkey and Germany in Hamburg, providing them with valuable experience against high-level opposition. Mijatović emphasized that these encounters were crucial for assessing the team's position relative to elite squads and for further developing their gameplay ahead of the upcoming matches. He mentioned that while the focus was on improving specific areas such as reading the game better, quicker entry into offensive sets, and technical aspects, the overall goal of the tournament had been achieved. The physical demands of the two consecutive games were acknowledged, though Mijatović did not view this as a drawback. He pointed out that the team had managed to maintain energy levels and had even made efforts to reduce Germany's lead on multiple occasions during the match. This demonstrated the team's capacity to compete against opponents of this caliber. Looking ahead, Mijatović outlined the need for continued work on defensive strategies, particularly in dealing with lower-line players' penetration and shot selection. He emphasized the importance of finding effective defensive models given the team's height advantage in the frontcourt. The coach also highlighted the strategic value of pushing for a "big-ball" approach, which could serve as a competitive edge against various opponents. The Croatian team has shown significant improvement since its absence from last year's EuroBasket. Players have become more adept at fulfilling their roles and adapting to different game situations. The presence of versatile wing players offering diverse offensive options and the potential impact of energetic players like Karl Matković were noted as promising developments. The team's height advantage can be both a challenge and an asset depending on the opponent's defensive schemes. Mijatović stressed the importance of maintaining strong defensive minutes throughout the game, especially as the team prepares for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. With the next matches scheduled against Latvia in Zadar on Thursday, August 27, and a visit to the Netherlands soon after, the Croatian team aims to secure victories to strengthen their position in the qualification race for the World Cup in Qatar. The results of these matches will be crucial in determining their readiness for the global stage.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 2 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

Responsible editor: Matej BašaSpotted an error? Report it

4 reports

Novi list logoNovi listIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 808/23/2026
Poll of Croatian basketball players after the defeat by Germany: Congratulations to the guys for two great games

The article discusses the Croatian basketball team's performance after losing to Germany in the final of the Super Cup in Hamburg. Coach Tomislav Mijatović comments on the loss, acknowledging the team's strong performances against both Turkey and Germany, while pointing out areas needing improvement, such as lost balls in the fourth quarter. He praises the players for their efforts and emphasizes the value of facing top teams like Germany and Turkey during preparation. Player Jaleen Smith also comments on the tournament, noting the quality of play and the importance of competing against strong teams. The team now faces two crucial matches in the qualification campaign for the World Cup against Latvia and the Netherlands.

Bias read (Center): The article focuses on sports performance and training strategies, with no political implications. It presents balanced commentary from coaches and players without taking a clear ideological stance.

Why factuality (85): This article closely matches the cross-source consensus, accurately reporting the match results, Mijatović’s comments, and specific points such as the number of lost balls. It includes direct quotes and maintains consistency with other reports on the same event.

Why objectivity (80): The article remains largely neutral, focusing on the team's performance and coach's feedback without overtly expressing personal opinion. While there is praise for the players, it is framed as recognition of their efforts rather than biased commentary.

Jutarnji list logoJutarnji listIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 708/22/2026
Mijatović: We got exactly what we wanted, I have only one complaint

Croatia's basketball team coach Tomislav Mijatović expressed mixed feelings after his team's 87:96 loss to Germany in the final of a friendly tournament in Hamburg. While he acknowledged the defeat, he stated that the two matches played over two days were exactly what the team wanted during their preparation phase. He noted that the main issue was losing 21 balls in the second quarter, which he considered excessive for any team. Mijatović mentioned that they expanded their rotation and played evenly in three quarters, but the second quarter was uncharacteristic of their performance. The team now faces the final stage of preparations against Latvia and the Netherlands, aiming to be at their best for those upcoming games. Player Jaleen Smith emphasized the importance of facing strong teams like Turkey and Germany as a valuable test, expressing confidence in future victories against Latvia and the Netherlands.

Bias read (Center): The article discusses a sports event involving the Croatian national basketball team and does not engage with political issues, officials, or public policy. It focuses solely on the performance and comments of the coach and player regarding a friendly match, making it apolitical in nature.

Why factuality (85): The article reports on a friendly basketball match between Croatia and Germany, citing statements from coach Tomislav Mijatović and player Jaleen Smith. It accurately describes the game outcome (Croatia lost 87-96) and mentions the team's preparation phase. The content aligns with typical sports rep

Why objectivity (70): The tone is generally positive, reflecting the team's satisfaction with the performance despite the loss. While it presents both the coach's and player's perspectives, it leans slightly towards optimism and confidence in future matches, which may introduce a minor bias.

Jutarnji list logoJutarnji listIndependentCenterFactual 75Objective 708/23/2026
Mijatović: The idea is to keep pushing the big-ball, and our width makes me very happy

Croatia's national basketball team participated in a Super Cup in Hamburg, facing strong opponents such as Turkey and Germany. They defeated Turkey in the semifinals but lost to Germany in the final. Coach Tomislav Mijatović acknowledged the defeat but highlighted positive aspects of their performance, including improved rotation and competitiveness against top-tier teams. The team plans to use these matches as preparation for upcoming qualification games against Latvia and the Netherlands. Mijatović emphasized areas needing improvement, such as ball handling and defensive rebounding, while expressing confidence in the team's ability to compete at a high level.

Bias read (Center): The article focuses on sports performance and does not involve political topics, figures, or policies. It provides a balanced account of the team's results, coach's comments, and areas for improvement without any apparent bias.

Why factuality (75): The article provides a detailed account of the match outcomes and coach Mijatović’s comments, aligning with the cross-source consensus. It mentions the results against Turkey and Germany, the rotation of players, and specific issues like lost balls. However, it lacks some contextual details from oth

Why objectivity (70): The tone is positive but leans slightly towards praising the team's effort while acknowledging areas for improvement. The language used to describe the loss is more reflective than purely objective, showing some bias toward the team's perspective.

Jutarnji list logoJutarnji listIndependentCenterFactual 70Objective 658/23/2026
Croatia is no longer a team that is executed without the best, and there is a player who is an getsenergy volcano

The article discusses the performance of the Croatian national basketball team during a friendly match against Germany in Hamburg, highlighting their strong showing despite being without some top players. The game ended with a score of 96-87 in favor of Croatia, showcasing their potential ahead of the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. Coach Tomislav Mijatović acknowledges the need for adjustments, particularly in maintaining offensive rhythm and defending against aggressive opponents. The article emphasizes the team's improved depth, especially with players like Karl Matković described as an 'energy volcano,' contributing significantly to their success. It also notes the importance of upcoming matches against Latvia and Netherlands as crucial tests before the World Cup, stressing the need for consistent defensive play.

Bias read (Center): The article focuses on sports performance and does not present any politically charged content. It provides a balanced assessment of the team's strengths and areas needing improvement without taking a clear ideological stance.

Why factuality (70): The article contains many general statements and less specific information compared to others. It references the match outcomes and coach’s comments but omits some key details present in other sources. There is also some repetition and incomplete sentences, affecting overall clarity.

Why objectivity (65): The tone is more enthusiastic and forward-looking, emphasizing potential improvements and future success. This suggests a slight promotional or optimistic bias, not entirely neutral in its framing of the team's current situation.

How each side covered it

The same event, grouped by the political lean of the outlets covering it.

How each side covered it

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Covered around the world

The same event as reported in other countries.

Covered around the world

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Claims check

Key factual claims, and how many sources assert vs dispute each.

Claims check

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Keep the news honest.

ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €4/month.

Become a Supporter

Related stories