Zurab Talakvadze

Luka was the beast for Slovenia

The group stage was nothing extraordinary for Slovenia. They were playing some fast paced basketball and getting those planned victories with ease. Well, in almost every game. Slovenia had some motivational problems against that pesky Finland, but prevailed in the end 81:78. Lauri Markkanen tortured Slovenia with 24 points, but in the end it was too much Dragic, as he finished the game with 29 points and 5 dimes. Luka scored only 8 points and missed all 5 of his three pointers. The same story versus Greece. Always tough, always grindlike Greece fought ‘till the end, but Slovenia was a little faster and a little better – 78:72. Greece was leading by 6 after three quarters of play, but cannot stop Slovenia in the fourth quarter. Luka was the beast, as he finished 22 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists.

Luka, Goran and Co. needed a small come back with Greece, but the damage was done. Slovenia was off to a victorious start. The rest was far from the test: 102:75 against Iceland (Luka with 13 points, 6 boards and some otherworldly moves from the prince, and the King Goran had his usual brilliant stats (21 pts, 5 assts, 4 rbs, 2 steals). The best Slovenia on a group stage was vs France (95:78). France did not live up to expectations and failed big, finishing only 12th. Goran Dragic was the big boss here as he smashed France with 22 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds and some timely steals. Luka finished with 15 points, missed some shots here and there, but all in all, he played well. And we are talking of France with with Nando De Colo, Boris Diaw, Joffrey Lauvergne, Evan Fournier, Vincent Poirier aboard. But still, France was not ready. The life without Tony Parker was a tough one to swallow. Slovenia was getting in a shape.

Soon after came the play offs. Ukraine had a good team, that lacked talent. Slovenia wrestled the muscles and demolished the opponent 79:55 (14 pts, 9 boards, some crafty assists). The defense was clicking and stars were starring. Slovenia was accurate and Slovenia was taking no prisoners at all. Goran wrestled the muscles and was a creative force everybody was awaiting for. Luka was playing like… well, Luka. Others often over performed and the result was magnificent. Slovenia was getting ready to face Latvia. And when the game day came, no one was expecting a walk in the clouds for Slovenia. Latvia was flying under the radar and was scoring at will. But in the end, it was too much talent from Slovenia, as they simply outscored Latvians 103:97. Luka was the man of the match with 27 points and 9 rebounds. Goran scored 26, but had 6 turnovers. Others filled in the stat sheet. Latvia was the history and Slovenia was moving toward the next stage.

Now what? A long awaited game versus Spain. A strong Spain with some star players and always needed experience of playing at this stage of the event.

Spain was the favorite. Well, at least on a paper. Imagine a team with immortal Pau Gasol, always deadly on defense Mark Gasol, Ricky Rubio, Sergio Rodriguez, young and promising Juancho Hernangomez, trusty San Emeterio and we get team on a mission. But Slovenia was too strong for this Spain. A well balanced attack (five players scored minimum 11 points), the best defense of the tournament from Slovenia and Luka countered that with 11 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists. Job done. Now, off to a next stage. The final of Eurobasket awaits. Where Slovenia should have been tested by Serbia with some big time players ready to conquer the Europe.

This time, Slovenia was  the team to beat. This time, Slovenia had those keys to historical victory and this time Slovenia was more original than Cliff Burton’s playing style.

Slovenia was ready for the big win.