Croatian basketball team coach Ivica Skelin published a list of 24 players to be counted in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 qualifiers.
Not so long after a slightly disappointing Eurobasket performance, the Croatian basketball team will reset, recharge, and embark on their journey to the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup in China.
The most exciting news, however, comes from Croatia’s new leader since the aftermath of Eurobasket, coach Ivica Skelin, and his dramatic change to the team lineup from the last representative action, reports Gol.hr on November 2, 2017.
Croatian coach Ivica Skelin listed only four of the 24 players that participated in the Eurobasket tournament - including Simon, Krušlin, Ramljak and Planinić - as he cannot count the players in the NBA. Returnees Miro Bilan, Rok Stipčević and Željko Šakić, are also on the list.
The 17-year-old wonder kid Luka Šamanić is one of the most exciting new developments on the lineup. If you recall, the power forward moved from Zagreb to Barcelona last summer. Šamanić was the MVP junior of the Eurobasket Division B in the summer and was selected as fifth in the championship. Šamanić averaged 17.7 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.9 blocks.
Croatia is in Group D of the qualifiers along with the Netherlands, Italy, and Romania. Advancing to the second round should not be in question, as three teams can advance in the group. However, it is essential to achieve as many points as possible. Croatia crosses over in the qualifications with the group including Poland, Kosovo, Lithuania, and Hungary. From there, the three best teams are placed in the World Cup.
Croatia’s first qualifying match for the World Cup 2019 will be played on November 24, 2017, away against the Netherlands. On November 26, 2017, Croatia and Italy will face-off at 18:00 at KC Dražen Petrović.
Here's the lineup:
1. Stipčević Rok
2. Mavra Dominik
3. Katić Toni
4. Bilinovac Josip
5. Krušlin Filip
6. Slavica Nik
7. Simon Krunoslav
8. Badžim Roko
9. Mustapić Jakov
10. Bošnjak Domagoj
11. Ramljak Ivan
12. Božić Luka
13. Šakić Željko
14. Zubčić Tomislav
15. Rudež Damjan
16. Barać Boris
17. Bilan Miro
18. Planinić Darko
19. Sobin Josip
20. Žganec Karlo
21. Radovčić Krešimir
22. Kalajžić Mate
23. Šamanić Luka
24. Drežnjak Mateo
Translated from Gol.hr
