National Team Head Coach Zoran Lukic shared with the national team’s upcoming plans.
This week, FIBA suspended the Russian team’s participation in selection for the 2024 Olympic Games and EuroBasket 2025. Since his appointment as head coach in October 2021, Lukic has played five matches with the national team – three officials (against Iceland, Italy and the Netherlands) and two friendly matches (against FMP Belgrade and Mega).
– There is an idea for a tournament in Sochi with the participation of teams from friendly countries, let’s see if we can organize it. I spoke with representatives of the Belarusian national team, I have a good relationship with its head coach Rostislav Vergun. We will probably have at least two friendlies with them in June. The next ones will probably take place in August, details will be later. It’s not easy to organize everything, including because of the World Cup, which will take place in August and September in Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines. In addition, it must be taken into account whether a potential rival comes from a friendly or hostile country. In general, you have to weigh everything and do exactly what you need. And the Russian national team needs test matches now.
– What determines the holding of the tournament in Sochi?
– Many factors. The idea is to be implemented jointly with the Ministry of Sports, funding will be necessary. I’m not ready to say how close the project is to implementation, but there are plans. If that doesn’t work out, we’ll play friendlies against Belarus.
– Where and how long will the national team summer training camp take place?
– We will wait for official information for the media, they will certainly appear. The training camp will take place at the end of May – June, we will determine the precise dates after the end of the VTB league and the appearance of clarity with the tournament in Sochi. There is a plan A and a plan B, we are waiting for a general clarification.
Live broadcasts of VTB United League matches are available on and other TV channels of the holding, as well as on the websites sportbox.ru and matchtv.ru.
Source : MatchTV
My name is Adam Jackson and I am an author. I have been writing about Basketball games for over a decade now and am excited to share my knowledge with you all. Additionally, I am also interested in other sports and enjoy discussing them with others. Contact me if you want to discuss any Basketball-related topics!
