"The Slovenian national team is not just Luka Dončić"

Slovenian basketball players lost their second preparatory match ahead of the World Cup qualifiers, falling to Montenegro 78-85 in Celje on Saturday. The defeat comes after a midweek win over Latvia, leaving head coach Aleksander Sekulić with mixed results as his team prepares for upcoming matches against France and Hungary. Sekulić also addressed injuries affecting key players, including Aljaž Kunc, who suffered an injury, and hinted at potential changes in the squad's future, particularly regarding Kunc’s possible move to Barcelona. The Slovenian team played two preparatory games before the second phase of World Cup qualification, with mixed success. After securing a victory over Latvia earlier in the week, Slovenia faced a tougher challenge in Celje, where Montenegro proved too strong despite a late effort from the home side. Sekulić acknowledged areas needing improvement, emphasizing the need for better defensive performance and more consistent shooting from distance. "The start of the first half was something we should not have allowed," Sekulić said after the game. "It felt like we weren't even there in defense. Things improved later, but there are still aspects we need to work on. We don’t have much time, but it’s necessary whether we want it or not." Slovenia struggled with long-range shooting throughout the match, hitting just two out of 24 three-point attempts in the first three quarters. While they managed five three-pointers in the final quarter, it wasn’t enough to overcome Montenegro’s lead. Sekulić expressed confidence that the team can improve its shooting accuracy, citing the presence of skilled shooters in the lineup. "We believe we will perform better from beyond the arc because we have good shooters," he added. "Even today, our shooters were there, but the ball just didn’t go through. It’s crucial that we become more concrete in defense, especially assuming we might struggle offensively. Younger players are getting familiar with the team, and it’s a burden for them, but we must trust them and believe they can contribute to the starting lineup. Ultimately, we don’t have other options." The Slovenian team will take a day off before resuming preparations for the upcoming matches. On Monday, the team will continue training, followed by a trip to France on Tuesday. Their first match in the second phase of qualification will be on Thursday in Paris, with another home game against Hungary scheduled for Sunday. In the first phase of qualification, Slovenia secured three wins and three losses, and the group remains tightly contested, with France having a slight advantage for participation in the World Cup in Qatar. Sekulić welcomed the addition of Žiga Samar to the squad, who will join the team in Monday. Samar has been with Burgos recently and is expected to bring valuable experience to the team. However, the arrival of Samar means that Aljaž Kunc, who had been expected to join the team, will remain behind due to an injury sustained while playing for his club. Kunc’s injury came as bad news for the Slovenian team, as he had been anticipated to provide depth in the frontcourt. Sekulić received confirmation from Kunc’s club about the injury and noted that further details would follow once the medical evaluation is complete. In addition to Kunc’s absence, Vit Hrabar will stay behind due to back problems, leaving the team with 13 players heading to France. Sekulić expressed gratitude toward Galu Čop, whose efforts during the preparation period were recognized. The Slovenian team faces a challenging schedule ahead, with six new matches in the second phase of qualification. The competition is highly balanced, with each team separated by just one win. As the team prepares for these crucial matches, the focus will be on addressing weaknesses identified in recent games, particularly in defense and long-range shooting, while also managing player injuries and potential roster changes.