Serbian NT 2015

  • Milko Bjelica probably wouldn't have a place on Serbian NT. Milka definitely would, but I don't know what her motives were.
    In the end of the day it's not that strange. Serbia and Montenegro are extremely close historically, culturally and in every other way. There are more people of Montenegrin origin in Serbia than in Montenegro itself, often it's impossible to draw a line between the two. Plenty of athletes born in Montenegro (like Silvija Popović, for example) represent Serbia and vice versa.
    It's a bit funny when a family is "divided" that way, but hey. :lol:


    Interesting. Hvala ;)

  • I think I already asked that before, but I dont remember..hehehe


    Is Bjelica sister of basketball player Nemanja Bjelica? Or is another basketball player? hehehe


    No.


    Ana Bjelica, Milka Bjelica (Montenegro/Women's Basketball) and Milko Bjelica (Montenegro/Men's Basketball) are cousins.

    "Lo sbaglio più grande e quello di credere di aver vinto prima ancora di giocare la partita"

  • So, it's been a very successful season. A ticket for Rio in their pockets, a medal at ECh. I only wish they hadn't gone off the boil against Russia in the semis, but you can't ask for too much, really.
    Reception and defense are the two things that have plagued this team for years and we have seen an improvement in that regard this season. They also seem more mature and mentally stable, with fewer breakdowns and lapses of concentration, and the ability to recover from it when it does happen.
    IMO, the most important thing that has happened this season is the arrival of Tijana Malešević. She's proven that she's a player we can count on for and now the OH2 position is much less of a glaring weakness than it used to be.
    And most importantly, this is generally a young team and almost everyone still has lots of room for improvement. Just onwards and upwards at this point, and let's not think about life without Maja just yet. :D

  • I agree with you, Joana..especially about Malesevic! She improved really a lot and I was just thinking that last year she was sitting in front of me ( :heart: ) with Ninkovic supporting her team against Russia in WCH 2014, while now she had determinant performances for her team! Bravo :win:

  • Brazilian coach Zé Roberto loves Maja. Recently in his interviews he had made a lot of compliments about her. During the World Cup he gave an interview poiting out how Serbia was one of the teams to watch out for Rio, and how Maja makes Serbia very "dangerous" with her game. He said he would give anything to have her in his team. ^^


    Then in this European Championship, a tv commentador said he talked to Ze just before the tournament start to get some information about the team, and during Serbai game he said, Zé told him he loved Maja's game, and she is one of the bests and so on. ^^

  • Ze knows a good player when he sees one :thumbsup:


    I agree as well, the performance at the WC was great and bronze at the ECH was a solid result. I hope they can continue this and get a medal at Rio, I certainly believe they have a good chance.


    Boskovic is already a great OPP and she is still only 19! Sure, her level dropped a bit at the ECH, but she must have been exhausted and I'm sure she will only get better. Maja is surely one of the best setters in the world, just as Rasic is one of the best MBs in the world. Stevanovic was impressive, but I'm not sure whether she is a better choice than Veljkovic, they are both good. As you say, Malesevic was very impressive and has confirmed her place as a definite starter. The only small weakness in the team is Popovic. She is ok, but not at all a great libero.


    The only concern I have is if they suffer injuries, as the backups are not that good. Zivkovic is a weak setter and I don't think Bjelica can be consistent at the highest level.

  • she is one of the bests and so on. ^^


    And he's right :) Maja has ups and downs but she is really good setter. I would say she's one of the best in Europe. I'm not sure if anyone could play so good having Nikolic and Mihajlović together on the court(with their shaky reception).

  • Milena Rašić and Zoran Terzić were guests on primetime news programme on national TV. According to Terzić, this has been the most successful season in the history of women's volleyball in Serbia, even moreso than 2011, since the competition and opponents were tougher this time.
    Actually, the question was if this was the best team he has ever coached, but he decided to be somewhat diplomatic in his answer. :D

  • Severina feat. Ministarke - "Uno momento"
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gvchbkh4jQY


    A very prominent role in this video goes to a bottle of home-made cherry brandy sent to them by Brankica's mother. :lol:


    Yeah, this is Croatian singer..She has Porn and that is the reason way is she well know in Serbia. :lol:


    This is kind of music that you love so much or hate it, there is no middle...And I understand Maja :P

  • And now the mystery is solved. :P Maja was at a press conference when this video was made.
    The girls have been getting a lot of media attention during and after ECh and it's really nice to see. They finally have the recognition they deserve.
    Too bad they probably won't get the award for the best women't team of the year in Serbia since the basketball team are European champions now.

  • How come serbians are so good at ball sports? It's unbelievable especially in volleyball and basketball :D
    I currently don't really follow women's basketball, but when I used to, Ivana Matovic was one of my favorites, she was really good, not sure she still is.

  • Maja was a guest on a popular humorous talk show last weekend.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKEnkr_DEts


    First she talked about the Turkish NT, she says they like playing against them, those matches are always somewhat special, the two teams are on a similar level and have similar playing styles, so beating them 3-0 is a big deal since it doesn't happen all the time.
    They talked about the infamous lockerroom video, Maja says she's not much of a drinker herself, but there are a few girls on the team who are fond of it and even Terzić teases them because of it. :P And that even though athletes are supposed to be role models for the young, there are those who drink and smoke and that's all understandable and possible to be a top athlete in spite of that. But she added she hopes children don't watch this show and won't hear what she said. :D
    Having been voted the best setter of ECh for the third time means a lot to her.
    A medal in Rio is everyone's dream.

  • As far as I know Stefana is fond of smoking.. at least she was in the past.. don't know about now


    Did you see her smoke? :D
    I don't really mind players smoking as long as they take care of themselves professionally, but well, obviously it's harmful for athletes.


    Thank you for the share, Joana. I wonder who the girls that are fond of drinking are :D