Three championships, three cups, I hope our paths will cross again.

Danijel Radosavljević has become the first Slovenian coach to lead three consecutive national teams to bronze medals within a span of three years. The achievement was marked during the European Championship for players under 18, which took place two years ago, followed by the World Championship for players under 19 last year, and culminating with another bronze medal at this year's European Championship for players under 18. This time, his team secured third place after competing in front of home fans in the Stožič arena. The journey to the bronze medal included a dramatic semi-final victory over France, where Radosavljević’s team came back from behind to win 91:89. In the final, they faced Serbia and emerged victorious with a score of 84:65. Despite missing two key players, captain Urban Kroflič, who suffered an injury early in the game against France, and injured player Lovro Faganel, they managed to secure the bronze medal through strong teamwork and resilience. Radosavljević expressed his pride in the team's performance, emphasizing that the focus remained on the collective effort rather than individual achievements. “Such things don’t interest me,” he said immediately after the final match. “Even if half the team had been missing, we still have the same mindset. Maybe there was a bit of shock, but we believed in our players, and they believed in each other. Now we have proven that the team is in the spotlight, and this is really a wonderful moment.” He added that the preparation for their opponents was thorough, noting that the team understood the weaknesses of both France and Serbia. “We knew exactly how to stand in defense and how to approach the game. Most importantly, the energy level was high. The players had a tough match yesterday, but it didn't show. They were flying around the court.” Several players from this generation are expected to play crucial roles in future national teams. Among them is Mark Padjen, who was selected as the most valuable player at the previous European Championship for players under 20. Urban Kroflič, despite playing in only two matches, was named to the first five of the tournament. Vit Hrabar, the top scorer in the final with 18 points, and Žak Smrekar, who missed the championship due to injury but was part of the first five at the World Championship for players under 19, are also set to contribute significantly. Radosavljević expressed his desire to continue working with these players, hoping that their paths will cross again in the future. “I would like to continue with them. I hope our paths will cross again in whatever situations. If nothing else, we've formed friendly bonds. These players have given me everything. They made me a better person and a better coach. Above all, I think it was a collaboration in which everyone benefited.” The success of this team highlights the growing strength of Slovenian youth basketball and the potential for future achievements on the international stage. With a solid foundation built through teamwork and determination, the players and coaches are setting the stage for continued success in upcoming competitions.